Fermi Hangs On For 8-6 Win In Class L Baseball Tournament

Behind standout pitching by Trevor Breton and long ball power by Alex Zachary, the Fermi High School baseball team jumped to an 8-0 lead over Woodstock Academy, then held off a furious rally by the Centaurs to post an 8-6 victory in the first round of the Class L tournament Tuesday in Enfield.

Breton did not allow a baserunner until one out in the fifth inning, by which time the Falcons had amassed their eight run lead.

A.J. Latulippe got the Falcons on the scoreboard in the second inning off Woodstock starting pitcher Chris Mayhew, dropping down a squeeze bunt that scored Jeff Kraucunas. Fermi then exploded for five runs in the third, beginning with a leadoff home run to center field by Zachary. Joe Bowker scored on a wild pitch, then a pinch-hit single by Chris Latorra brought in Breton and Kraucunas. Pat Bordeau knocked in Latorra with a single, driving Mayhew from the mound.

The Falcons added two more runs in the fourth off reliever Jon Peterson. Chaz Millet singled and Breton walked, then both runners scored on an infield error.

Woodstock finally got to Breton with one out in the fifth, when Garrett Ponte singled and Cody DeGray walked. Ponte scored on a wild throw to first on a Nick Darras grounder, then Darras scored on a hit by Wyatt Gibeault.

In the sixth, the Centaurs continued their comeback with four more runs, on back-to-back two-run doubles by Ponte and DeGray. DeGray was thrown out at third, however, and Breton ended the inning by striking out Darras.

Woodstock went down in order in the seventh, as Breton struck out Peterson and Kevin Bonitz to nail down the victory.

Breton allowed just six hits, striking out eight while walking two.

Fermi , the 10th seed, advances to the second round Wednesday, hosting No. 26 North Haven at 3:30 p.m.