ADAMS, Mass. -- The North Adams 15U Babe Ruth team defeated Franklin County Thursday evening, 3-0, in the first game of the District Tournament at Renfrew Field.

 

Robert Matte pitched a complete game for North Adams, striking out 10.

 

He battled back in the third inning after striking out one and walking three and loading the bases; he then struck out two batters in a row to end the inning.

 

"He's a great pitcher, he didn't have it in the beginning, he was kind of spotting his balls," head coach Richard Guyette said. "So when I went out on the mound and told him if we're going to walk players to just throw the ball, and he started to throw and it changed the whole complexion of the game."

 

North Adams got on board right in the first inning with a run from Mike Ferrara. It wasn't until the sixth inning, after Franklin County went 1-2-3 in the third,fourth, and fifth innings that North Adams was able to score those final two runs.

 

It started with Ferrara drawing a walk. He then stole second before a bunt from Ryan Dubie advanced him to third. Ferrara then scored on a fielder's choice to make it 2-0.

 

"I told my guys we have to get on," Guyette said prior to the sixth inning. "Mike Ferrara had a great at-bat, and the minute he got on we stole him and then I took the bunt down and took a chance with on a bunt scoring from second and it worked out."

 

Dubie scored North Adams final run of the game.

 

North Adams will travel to Westfield Sunday afternoon for their second game of the tournament.