FLORENCE — The Northampton Legion Post 28 baseball team won its fifth straight game, posting a 4-2 win over Monson Post 241 at Arcanum Field on Friday night.

Northampton is set to host a playoff game on Thursday when the Western Mass. playoffs begin. There is still one more regular season contest remaining against Westfield Post 124 at Bullens Field on Monday.

All three phases of the game are coming together at the right time for the team.

“I think we are playing good baseball right now,” Northampton coach Adam Krol said. “Our leaders are stepping up. Our younger guys are taking big roles as well. There are three aspects: pitching, hitting and defense. For me, I think pitching and defense are the most crucial and those are rounding into form. I am pleased with the way we are playing but there still things we can improve on.”

Tucker Russell got the win on the mound, throwing 95 pitches in seven strong innings. Russell gave up six hits and struck out eight hitters. Russell approaches each start the same during the summer.

“It’s low-key given that it’s summer ball,” Russell said. “But I approach it with intensity. Every day is the same. Same warmups and same routines…still have to go out and try my best.”

Northampton had seven hits on offense. The runs were sufficient, but Russell got the help of a few masterful plays on defense. Matt Vassallo took away an infield hit with a barehanded stab at second base for the second out of the third inning.

There was some minor turbulence in the top of the seventh when Russell walked the leadoff hitter. Harrison LaFlamme then made a punishing catch from third base on a soft liner in foul territory. LaFlamme sacrificed his body to make the diving catch.

After a base hit, the Monson runner took off for third. Carter Styspeck cut down the runner at third with a missile-guided throw for the second out of the inning. Northampton played error-free baseball.

“It’s great to see that,” Russell said of his defense. “You get really hyped up when you see that. They are helping you. So, you try to help them too.”

Russell faced the biggest threat in the top of the fourth when Monson loaded the bases on a hit by pitch, a single and a walk. Russell did walk in a run but got out of the jam by forcing a pop out. What pitches Russell utilizes in different moments is purely situational.

“Early in the count I just go fastball to get it by them,” Russell said. “If we got them late and we know what they are doing and they are trying to chase something I’ll go outside. Just get them to swing. I always trust my catcher to make the right decision, he always does.”

Styspeck led off the game with a walk before stealing second. Andrew Gagne eventually brought Styspeck home with an RBI single. Styspeck had two stolen bases in the game.

Northampton scored again in the bottom of the second. Anthony Incampo also walked and stole a base. With two outs, Styspeck brought Incampo home with an RBI single.

LaFlamme hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth, giving Northampton a 3-1 lead. Tom Moore scored on an error in the bottom of the sixth. Anthony Jay Elliot had an RBI for Monson while Kyle Kaczuwka went 2-for-4.

Gagne and Styspeck finished 2-for-3 for Northampton. Kaleb Jorritsma added a single in the bottom of the sixth.

Northampton 9, Sheffield 1 — Post 28’s fourth straight win on Thursday included masterful pitching from Andrew Gagne (one run, two hits, four walks, five strikeouts) and impressive hitting from Anthony Incampo (three RBIs).

Kaleb Jorritsma (sixth) and Carter Styspeck (seventh) closed out the game for Northampton on the mound.