From Little League to Division 2 state champs: Walpole baseball's titles linked by coach Chris Costello
It's a state title years in the making for the Timberwolves (15-9), who saw their dreams crushed a year ago in the same spot. This time, despite trailing 4-0, then 5-4, they manifested a different result.
'There is nobody in the entire program we would want up in that situation other than Paul Whelan,' coach Chris Costello said. 'The baseball gods wanted that ball to get down the line today.'
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FINAL: No. 4 Walpole 7, No. 2 Reading 6
For the first time in program history, Walpole is the D2 state champion.
Paul Whelan the go-ahead two-run hit in 7th. Luca DiGiulio nails out of the bullpen. They trailed 4-0, then 5-4, and won.
— Mike Puzzanghera (@mpuzzanghera)
The Rockets (21-4) jumped out to an early lead thanks to a pair of RBI singles from Sam Clark, and starter Ryan Marino kept the Timberwolves at bay for 4⅓ innings.
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But the Timberwolves pulled off a stunning sixth-inning rally, plating four runs with just one hit, using a walk, two hit-by-pitches, a sacrifice fly, and two errors.
Richie Hayes came up with the lone hit in the rally, an RBI single to cut the deficit to two. Shane Harrington's sacrifice fly tied the game at 4-4.
Walpole is on the board.
After one run comes in on a throwing error, Richie Hayes hits this loud RBI single to left to score another.
4-2 Reading leads, but the Timberwolves still have the bases loaded and one out here in the sixth.
— Mike Puzzanghera (@mpuzzanghera)
'Not one person on the team thought it was over,' Hayes said. 'We knew something special was going to happen.'
Sophomore Luca DiGiulio fired three strong innings of relief out of the bullpen with three strikeouts to earn the win.
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A big portion of the Walpole players won the state Little League title in 2019 — also coached by Costello. After falling in the New England regional, they told Costello they would instead win a title in high school.
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For Whelan and others on that 2019 team, it meant that much more to see Costello and athletic director and
'I love my dad, but [Costello]'s like a second father to all of us,' Whelan said. 'He's more than a baseball coach, I'd say. He's so awesome to us, he treats us so well. He's the best and I love him so much.'
Walpole's Cole Pileski (5) celebrates after scoring during the Timberwolves' comeback.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Cash Cantrell slides into home, scoring a run for Walpole.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
For the first time, Walpole baseball lifted the MIAA trophy.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Down 4-0, then 5-4, Walpole never gave up, going ahead for good in the top of the seventh.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Andrew Burke pitches for Walpole.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Glob
Mike Puzzanghera can be reached at
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