Chelmsford freshman Aidan Brackett left the D1 baseball championship with a throat injury. He returned to win the game.

Boston Globe

15 hours ago

When the Lions' freshman catcher eventually retreated to the dugout — hobbling his way back — 14th-seeded Chelmsford immediately felt an impact.
With runners at the corners and two outs, Braintree senior Connor Grieve blooped an RBI single to right field to break the stalemate, putting the eighth-seeded Wamps in front, 1-0, in the Division 1 championship game at Polar Park.
Advertisement
'They wouldn't let me [back in initially] so I had to wait a little bit too long, got a little worried out there about if I was going in or not,' Brackett said. 'But they let me go back in.'
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Little did Brackett know that he would be on the other side of the game's most dramatic moment.
With the bases juiced and no outs in the top of the ninth inning, the score tied 2-2, Brackett positioned himself like he was going to bunt. He recoiled into his batting stance and chopped the ball toward Braintree shortstop Peter Brooks. The ball skipped into the outfield, putting Chelmsford ahead in a game they would win 8-2.
Freshman Aidan Brackett drives this single to left, putting Chelmsford ahead, 3-2, in the top of the ninth.
He looked to be hurt earlier in the game, stayed in, and now delivers in the clutch.
— Mike Puzzanghera (@mpuzzanghera)
From a neck injury in the early stages to generating the signature hit of the game, Brackett's effort played a significant role in
Advertisement
'It's unreal,' Brackett said. 'I didn't even think I was going to be here. I went in, knew I had a shot at making the team, but wasn't 100 percent sure. They took a chance on me and it worked out.'
Brackett and Chelmsford starting pitcher Matthew Stuart worked in concert, keeping the Wamps' lineup confused.
'He was just absolutely shoving it today,' Brackett said of the senior righthander. 'Just blowing it by everybody, and that's what he's done all year.'
FINAL (9 inn.): No. 14 Chelmsford 8, No. 8 Braintree 2
For the first time since 1966, the Lions are state champions.
Matt Stuart incredible in a complete game. Aidan Brackett the go-ahead hit in 9th.
What a game.
— Mike Puzzanghera (@mpuzzanghera)
Brackett's coach, Lou DiStasi, told him to play like he was tough as nails after the throat injury.
'It was really all about our fans,' Brackett said. 'Our fans were so loud, I couldn't even hear anything half the time. They contributed to this one 110 percent.'
Brackett finished 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored.
'The kid is a warrior,' DiStasi said. 'He is absolutely our heart and soul. That's why you saw how deflated we were when he left the game. I went back in the dugout, and he's like 'No coach, I'm good. I'm hitting right now.' . . . By God, what a warrior to come back.'