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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
All seemed well for Needham Legion Post 14 on Monday night, as the Needham High, St. Sebastian’s, Belmont Hill and Wellesley High boys carried a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth against rival Walpole Post 104 at Eldracher Field.
Despite being down by four in the middle innings, Walpole flexed its muscle and proved why it was one of the favorites to win District Six this summer, finding a run to cut the deficit to 4-1 after four before a garnering a four-run fifth inning rally to take a 5-4 lead, and eventually the one-run victory.

Drew Dorsey (pictured) gathers in a throw from centerfield and gets set to supply the tag to Walpole’s Will Jarvis (28) for the inning-ending out in the bottom of the fifth. Photos by Mike Flanagan

Chris McLean (pictured) gets on his horse and heads to third before coming around as the go-ahead and would be game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth. Photos by Mike Flanagan
Ziggy Bowles worked a 1-2-3 top of the fifth to keep it a 4-1 game heading to the bottom half. Aidan Murray and Drew Von Klock drew back-to-back walks to begin the bottom of the fifth, followed by an RBI single by Jack Magane to trim the deficit down to 4-2. Matt Falvey grounded into a fielder’s choice with runners at first and third to make it one out in the inning with runners at first and third. Jackson Walonis grounded out to third to plate Von Klock and cut the deficit to 4-3. An infield single by McLean scored Falvey to tie the game before Will Jarvis shot a double into the left-centerfield gap to plate McLean from first and give Walpole its first lead of the night at 5-4. Walpole almost made it a two-run game following a single to center by Brady, however, a hose home by Bryce Anderson nailed Jarvis at the plate attempting to score. Walpole took a 5-4 lead into the sixth.
Each team was held off the board in the sixth, allowing Tufts-bound right-hander Matt Donato the chance to come in and close the door for Walpole. Donato struck out Bryce Anderson, got Will Foley to pop out to first, and induced a game-ending groundout to third.
For funny and insightful sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter @fLAno0.