Mason comes up big for Cranston Western in elimination games

Matt Metcalf
Posted 8/19/15

Every youth baseball player dreams of hitting the game-winning homer, making a flashy web gem or even shutting down an opponent on the hill in a meaningful game.

Welcome in to Nick Mason’s …

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Mason comes up big for Cranston Western in elimination games

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Every youth baseball player dreams of hitting the game-winning homer, making a flashy web gem or even shutting down an opponent on the hill in a meaningful game.

Welcome in to Nick Mason’s reality for the last week.

Mason helped to earn Cranston Western a Little League World Series berth with his bat, glove and arm, showing off all three in Bristol, Conn., at the New England Regional.

Mason left his mark at Bristol, drawing camera attention from ESPN, particularly over Cranston Western’s final four games.

His grand slam against Massachusetts last Thursday helped to break a 4-4 tie to propel Cranston into another elimination game on Friday.

In that Friday game, Mason made potentially the play of the tournament, diving to his left at third base and throwing a strike to first to beat the runner from the seat of his pants.

The web gem earned the hot corner standout No. 7 on Sportscenter’s Top 10 Plays that night.

Mason’s play helped to hold off Connecticut’s offense in an eventual walk-off win in the seventh inning on a home run by David Marchetti.

Next up was South Burlington, Vt., on Saturday with a trip to the regional final on the line.

It was Mason’s turn to take the ball in the rotation, and he didn’t disappoint.

He dealt over 5 2/3 innings, picking up the win without giving up a run. Mason struck out seven in the gutsy effort.

In the championship on Sunday, Mason was back at third and he continued to be a difference maker.

With Cranston Western holding a one-run lead in the top of the third, Mason brought the “Cranston Crazies,” as CWLL manager Gary Bucci calls them, to their feet.

With one out and the bases loaded, Bedford, N.H., southpaw Michael Pratte left a pitch over the heart of the plate to Mason, and he got all of it, clobbering a mammoth grand slam high into the trees in left field to increase Cranston Western’s lead to 5-0.

“It was bases loaded and I had two strikes on me and a lot of pressure, but I saw the right pitch and swung and just let it go,” Mason said following the game with his home run ball in hand.

Mason’s second grand slam of the tournament proved to be the game-winning hit in his team’s regional clincher.

Now, Mason and his teammates are on to Williamsport, Pa., for the World Series – an ideal destination for Little League ballplayers.

Many dream of playing there, but only an exclusive group is lucky enough to do so.

However, World Series appearances are becoming rather commonplace in Rhode Island, as Cranston Western is the third team from the Ocean State in the last five years to earn a trip to Williamsport.

According to Mason, last year’s regional champion – Cumberland American – showed immense support for the boys in teal in Bristol.

“I’ve become good friends with them now because we talked to them a lot here,” Mason said. “It meant a lot. Rhode Island has now made it [to Williamsport] three times in the last five years. It’s amazing. It motivates you.”

There’s no question that the support from all over Rhode Island helped Cranston Western to elevate its level of play when the lights shined the brightest.

And a big reason for Cranston Western’s success was Mason – a player who made significant impacts wherever Bucci placed him on the diamond.

This past week has been a whirlwind for Mason, but he’s truly enjoying every bit of it and letting it all sink in.

“It’s amazing,” Mason said. “I’m just living the dream.”

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