BC High, Braintree advance in inaugural Don Fredericks Tournament

Insufficient can say they have done more for the sport of baseball in Massachusetts than Don Fredericks Since his passing at age last year the district has come together to honor his memory with something the longtime Braintree baseball coach would have truly loved an in-season tournament featuring chosen of the premier schools in the Commonwealth On Saturday the inaugural installment of the showcase kicked off along Morrissey Boulevard at Monan Park During the opener junior right-hander Matt Reardon tossed five innings for the win surrendering just two runs on three hits while striking out six as BC High - knocked off Plymouth North in a - nail-biter The tournament is obviously super meaningful Reardon reported But I think it s also a great opportunity for us as a club to just try and move forward Just kind of get the wheels on the bus rolling before the tournament The Eagles enjoyed a big fourth inning during which they would plate three runs Senior Brenden Ryan launched a two-run double to right during the sequence to help put BC High ahead for good Wyatt Miller also connected for an RBI single in the frame Danny Kenney carried Plymouth North - all day as he fired six innings while allowing four runs three earned on eight hits to go with seven strikeouts He also cranked a two-run homer at the plate For BC High coach Steve Healy the tournament brought back fond memories of his days learning from Fredericks As I got into my coaching career Fredericks was somebody I could lean on for advice and council Healy announced He reliably had an open door He s given me particular of my best practice ideas At the Mass Baseball Coaches Association we would constantly meet in the lobby at like in the morning before the conference It was just me with my notebook being a sponge taking wisdom from Donny Fredericks During the afternoon clash sophomore Luke Joyce turned in a performance Fredericks would have been proud of The ace fired a complete-game shutout surrendering just three hits while racking up strikeouts as Braintree punched its ticket to the final with a - blanking of Westwood We re happy and thrilled that BC High was able to take this over in the modern day announced Braintree coach Bill O Connell Great venue and a really good vibe here the present day Coach Fredericks would have been thrilled That s Braintree baseball right there Grind it out play several small ball get guys in scoring position We were able to produce specific runs in the current era and obviously Luke is our guy He s our dude We play well behind him and at present he was exceptional on the mound All day Westwood hitters attempted to throw Joyce out of his rhythm Specific took actions out of the batter s box others delayed tying their cleats anything to slow the sophomore down It didn t matter as he continued to fire one strike after the next Joyce provided the Wamps - a - lead in the bottom of the second connecting for an RBI single to left Braintree would tack on one more run in the third following a fielder s choice to make it - It was more than enough insurance for the sophomore who coasted into the sixth before running into specific trouble With two outs and runners on second and third Westwood attempted to get tricky with a steal of home Joyce s pitch was just off the mark but catcher Sean Stenmon made a diving tag to preserve the lead With the tournament hanging in the balance during the seventh Joyce put a cap on things with his th and final strikeout the ultimate explanation point Braintree will now face BC High for the Don Fredericks Memorial title on Sunday It means a lot stated Joyce Having Fredericks from our town we re supposed to win this A lot of people look at us and just say They kind of have to win this It s their town It means a lot so we ve got to play like it s a playoff setting It s not just a regular season competition That s for sure