First-Place Branford Shuts Out Hamden Post 88

Written By Amber Kountz

HAMDEN — The Hamden Post 88 American Legion baseball team struggled to find an answer against Branford pitcher Sean Halliagan Sunday night at Legion Field.

Halliagan pitched a complete-game shutout, retiring the side in order in five of the seven innings, to lead Branford to a 6-0 victory.

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With the loss, Hamden fell to 16-11 and remains in fourth place in the Zone II standings. Hamden is 5 ½ games behind first-place Branford, which improved to 21-5 with the win.

Branford scored its first run in the third inning and added four more in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

Branford’s Nick Candelore, Jordan Botte, and William Coleman benefitted from errors and miscommunication by Hamden’s infield.

Branford’s Bryce Baker brought it the final run with a shot to center field with the bases loaded.

Zachary Morgillo started for Hamden and pitched two scoreless innings before Branford broke through in the third.

Nick Tagliaferri replaced Morgillo with Hamden down 5-0 in the fifth inning. Tagliaferri allowed one run in the sixth inning but managed to work his way out of a bases-loaded jam.

Hamden couldn’t solve Halliagan in the sixth and seventh innings.

Post 88 looks to bounce back with a home game against North Haven (7-17) Tuesday night at Legion Field at 5:30 p.m.

Image via Shutterstock