By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
the Timberwolves’ baseball team sent the Gators on the long ride home on the heels of a 6-2 loss on Wednesday June 4, 2025 at the S.M. Lorusso & Sons Athletic Field Complex in Walpole.
The Grafton lineup had more left handed batters than a usual high school lineup. But that didn’t bother starting pitcher senior Mikey St. Martin (Endicott) as he set down the Gators in order in four innings.
Walpole was searching for the big hit in the first two innings as they loaded the bases each time but didn’t score. In the third they broke through when Quinn MacNeil singled to center and Shane Harrington reached on an error. Ryan McDonald then came up clutch with a two out, two run double to right. Jackson Marshall then singled McDonald home to finish the frame with Walpole up 3-0.
St. Martin stranded a runner at third in the fourth inning with a big strikeout.
The Timberwolves came out growling in their end of the fourth. Cash Cantrell singled to left Paul Whelan walked. Cole Pileski singled to right. Richie Hayes hit a slow grounder to second that scored a run. Harrington then singled in another run to make it 5-0.
Grafton battled in the top of the fifth. They strung together couple of hits to make it 5-2. Freshman catcher Drew Cantrell was superb blocking balls in the dirt to prevent another run.
Walpole added some insurance in the sixth behind an error, a single, a wild pitch, a walk and a sacrifice fly.
St. Martin set down the last seven batters of the game in order. Harrington made a nifty play behind the mound to get the leadoff man in the seventh.
St. Martin’s daily resume was a complete game, nine strikeouts, two walk and two hits gem. Cash Cantrell was 2-2 with two walks. MacDonald crafted a 2-3 with the big two out two RBI double. Marshall was 2-2 with a walk, a run and a stolen base. Paul Whelan was 1-3 with a sacrifice fly, an RBI and a run.
With this win, Walpole moves on in the State Tournament. Their next opponent is slated to be Mansfield.
