Belmont's Richardson Pitches, Hits Marauders To Playoff Win Over Wayland

Senior Mike Richardson left a lasting memory in his final start at Brendan Grant Field on Tuesday, June 4.

Belmont first four batters scored and Richardson had nine strikeouts in a complete game three-hitter as the 11th-seed Marauders defeated Wayland High School, 8-1, in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 2 North Sectionals held on Belmont's home field.

Richardson helped his own cause by going 3-4 with the bat driving in four runs as Belmont's first four batters scored to put the game away early. 

Belmont (13-9) will meet second-ranked (and the highest seed still remaining) Danvers High School (18-2) tomorrow night, Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at Alumni Field in Lowell in the semifinals.

So far in the playoffs, Belmont's pitching duo of Richardson and junior Brendan Shea have a combined 0.50 ERA over 14 innings of tournament play with 20 strikeouts between them.

And Richardson knows the Marauders are pegging their hopes on the pitching staff. 

"This is our team," Richardson told Belmont Patch after the game. "It starts with [Shea and me]. If we keep pitching the way we have late in the season and in the playoffs, I think we have a chance to win the finals." 

"Right now, we have the one of the best one-two punches in Division 2 and in the state," said Belmont's Head Coach Jim Brown. 

Richardson started the day with two strikeouts in the first while center fielder Brian Coutts (1-2, 2 runs), shortstop Danny Donahue (a double and 2 runs), DH Shea (a double along with 2 runs and an RBI) and Richardson scored on timely singles from first base Vijay Pathak (2-4) and third base Jake Cole. Belmont's final run in the first came on a fielder's choice from left fielder Zack Brandt.

"We live on small 'ball to pressure the other team's defense," said Brown.

Belmont upped the score to 6-0 after two innings as the Marauders ran Wayland's starter Yannack Schaeffer after 1 1/3 as second baseman John Webber and Coutts scored on Richardson's double deep to center field.

But this was Richardson's game, giving up a single run in the fourth as Matt Goddard scored from second on a single from Dan Karp. He ended the game with a strikeout.