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Elian Torrez
First, he kept them in the game with three terrific innings of relief.
Then he sent the game to extra innings with a run-scoring hit, setting the stage for a teammate’s game-changing home run.
And finally, he sealed PSA’s baseball team’s big-time win by striking out the final batter, helping the Mustangs to a doubleheader split Saturday at Winchendon.
Not a bad day’s work for Elian Torrez.
“Very good,” he said. “I’m glad I was able to help my team win. We have a good team and we showed it this game.”
It was indeed a good Saturday for PSA, rallying to win the first game 7-4 before falling 8-5 in the second to a Winchendon team that is one of the top teams in New England.
After Harry Roy put up his fourth straight strong start (including coming out of a bases-loaded no-out jam unscathed in the third inning), Torrez relieved with two outs in the sixth.
The Mustangs trailed 3-1 facing their final three outs when Jesus Fermin started the rally with a leadoff walk before Torrez followed with a triple to get them within 3-2. Omar Burgos quickly singled to score Torrez, and the game was tied. It went to the bottom of the seventh 3-3, and Torrez retired Winchendon in order, allowing for more fireworks in the eighth.
Chris Almanzar started the game-winning rally with a double down the third-base line. Ryan Hines, up next, dropped a bunt down the first-base line that the pitcher fielded but made an errant throw, allowing Almanzar to score the go-ahead run. A wild pitch moved Hines to second and a sharp single to left by Enger Paulino moved him to third.
Then came Fermin.
After a couple of off-speed pitches, Fermin saw back-to-back fastballs. He saw the first one well, then crushed the second to left for a three-run homer – his second of the year – to push the lead to 7-3.
“It felt amazing,” Fermin said. “When I hit it, I knew I got it. He threw me a fastball the pitch before, and I wanted him to throw it again.”
Torrez gave up a run in the eighth, but struck out the final batter of the game with a breaking ball.
Torrez pitched in relief in the second game as well, finishing the day with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. He went 3-for-6 with the triple, three RBI, and two runs scored over the two games.
“He was amazing,” said Fermin, who had three hits in six at-bats and four RBI himself in the twinbill. “He had a big hit and he did an amazing job on the mound. I have so much trust in him every time he pitches because he has so much confidence.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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