The Chelsea High baseball team found itself in a tough spot early in their first-round matchup with Weston in the Division 3 North state tournament, ultimately falling by a score of 8-3. “We had some tough breaks early and didn’t make some plays,” said CHS head coach Alan Beausoleil. “Once we settled down we were okay and we played Weston evenly the rest of the way. But it proved too deep a hole for us to dig out of.” Weston took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a two-out base hit, then added four more runs in the second. A Red Devil error and two more hits by Weston, including a triple, were key in that inning. The visitors continued their momentum in the third, scoring two more runs, with a CHS error again playing a role in the scoring. That brought the score to 7-0 after three innings. Beausoleil replaced Chelsea starting pitcher Eli Ortiz (who gave up only three earned runs) with Odanys Urbaez to begin the fourth. Odanys pitched the remaining four innings in a strong performance, allowing just one unearned run, which came in the sixth. For the first time in the game, Weston was held off the board in the fourth, and the Red Devils’ offense responded. Ortiz led off with a base hit, but was removed from the bases on a fielder’s choice by Adonys Urbaez. Odanys Urbaez followed with a triple, scoring his twin brother, and Peter Marmolejos delivered a double that brought in Odanys, trimming the Weston lead to 7-2. However, the next play foreshadowed the difficulties that would follow for the Red Devils. David Velastegui hit a base hit into the outfield, but Marmolejos was thrown out at the plate, ending the Chelsea rally. The Red Devils’ offense came alive again in the fifth. Jose Pineda doubled, and Luis Diaz singled him home to make it 7-3. Ortiz drew a walk, and Adonys Urbaez reached on an infield hit, filling the bases with just one out. That brought up Odanys Urbaez, who hit a low line drive down the third base line. The ball appeared headed for left field, which would have scored two runs and placed the tying runs on base. However, the Weston third baseman made a diving catch to secure the ball and then doubled up Diaz at third for a double play to end the inning. Weston added an extra run in the sixth, and Chelsea was unable to rally again in its final two at-bats, leaving the final score at 8-3. Although the Red Devils’ season ended with a loss (as it does for every team in the tournament except the champion), the 2011 team still had an impressive season. “I told the team afterwards that I am very proud of them and all that they have achieved,” said Beausoleil. “They were the CAC Small champions and qualified for the tourney for the first time since 2008. They fought back against Weston and played hard right to the end, which is all that any coach can ask of his players.”
Red Devils Fall in Tourney, 8-3
