By Kimberly McCausland
The Wellesley Little League U8 South Team wrapped up an undefeated summer season on Thursday, August 8, under the lights at Hollingsworth Field in Braintree, by winning the Friendship League U8 Championship, 2-0, against a very competitive Duxbury team.
The Raiders took the lead 1 – 0 in the bottom of the first inning on hits by Tyler McChesney, James Henshon and Brennan Barlage. The Raiders scored their only other run in the bottom of the 3rd when Carter Bentley drew a leadoff walk, advanced when Henshon was hit by a pitch and Barlage singled to short right, and then was driven in on a Jack Allieri ground ball to third. The Raiders held Duxbury’s hard-hitting lineup scoreless on great pitching performances by Henshon, Bentley and McChesney. The impressive pitching outings were backed by solid, heads-up defense, notably on several plays by Barlage in the infield and Ryan McCausland in center. Head coach, Blake Bentley, complimented the young team on winning close games all season and improving offensively and defensively as the season progressed.
The U8 South Raiders won the overall Friendship League Title for the first time in three years after besting Raynham in the Foxboro Division Title Game and defeating the Wellesley North U8 Team in the Bay State Division Finals.
Second Row, L – R: Mikey Messore, Casey Zides, Carter Bentley, Tyler McChesney, James Henshon
Third Row, L – R: Head Coach Blake Bentley, Assistant Coach David Rosenblatt
Not pictured: Matthew Beyer, Jacob Tjaden, Adison Kendall
