NORTHBORO – The mission of A Shot For Life seemingly grows to new heights with each passing occasion. The theatrics inside every one do too.
Behind a pair of monster rounds that noticed him surge previous a loaded lineup of sluggers, Dexter Southfield’s Matt Conte received the 4th Annual ASFL Home Run Derby within the title of fundraising for mind most cancers analysis on Saturday at New England Baseball Complex. His 17 homers within the closing spherical have been six greater than second-place finisher Wilfred Santiago (Archbishop Williams), serving to Conte win for the primary time in his three years of competing.
Conte and Williston’s Colin Larson took turns breaking a derby single-round file, whereas 4 gamers pressured “swing-offs” to advance.
“Very blessed to be here, I had a great time,” Conte mentioned. “I felt good (in the final round), I got on a little hot streak where I think I hit five or six in a row, and that’s what really I feel like helped (me win). … It’s definitely bigger than baseball, we all come together for a great cause.”
With members of the ASFL Baseball Pitchers Challenge, and members within the ASFL Softball Home Run Derby and Pitchers Challenge, fundraising surpassed an estimated $80,000. Some particular person fundraiser efforts introduced in round $4,000. The main effort will likely be acknowledged on the conclusion of the softball competitions Sunday.
Founder and CEO Mike Slonina was thrilled about continued fundraising success together with a brand new growth.
The Red Sox Foundation, together with donating 1000’s of {dollars}, despatched Red Sox mascots Wally the Green Monster and Tessa to current the profitable trophy to Conte.
“In year four, a lot of initiatives take the next step, and baseball and softball certainly has done that this year,” Slonina mentioned. “The Red Sox Foundation is more involved than ever before, and that’s something we really appreciate. … That support is something that truly means the world to us and is something we don’t take for granted at all.”
The derby began with 17 batters, hitting as many homers as attainable inside 4 minutes on a shortened fence introduced in simply shy of 300 toes away. The prime eight finishers superior to bracket play with 4 matchups to advance to the ultimate 4.
Conte set an unbelievable mark within the first spherical by spraying 35 homers to all elements of the sector. It was a derby file for about 20 minutes till Larson rifled off 36.
“It’s awesome (to be a part of it),” Larson mentioned. “I didn’t know (about the record) when I was hitting, I lost track. I was just trying to put the ball in the air. … I was just aiming for the playoffs.”
“It was a very good time,” Conte added.
Larson, Conte, Worcester Academy’s Cam Papetti (26 homers), Santiago (26 homers), Governor’s Academy’s Hunter Kingsbury (25 homers), Franklin’s Henry DiGiorgio (24 homers) and Milton Academy’s Nolan Wanat (23 homers) all superior with out query to bracket play. Belmont Hill’s Charlie Walsh received the swing-off for the eighth spot.
In bracket play, gamers wanted to hit balls out of the complete area. Larson and Conte superior rapidly, whereas DiGiorgio (10 homers) and Santiago (seven homers) wanted massive performances.
Conte took off after that, hitting 5 straight as a part of a 17-homer closing spherical.
Source: www.bostonherald.com