West Hartford Lightning Baseball Team Wins Lindquist Tournament

On Sunday, the West Hartford Lightning completed an impressive run through the Lindquist Tournament in Farmington, CT with an 11-0 victory over New Hartford in the Championship game. 

The Lightning went undefeated in the 10-game tournament, and with contributions from each team member took home the championship.

Will Fox started on the mound for the Lightning and set the tone early, retiring the first 3 New Hartford batters on a popout, a ground out and a strikeout.

Will Layden and Ryan Farley started the bottom of the 1^st with walks and both moved up on a passed ball. Jay Falvey then delivered the first 2 Lightning runs with a fielder’s choice. After another out, Timmy Andrews and Gabe Salomons both reached on errors. Andrew Skwiot then scored them both with a single and Anthony Mancini walked to keep the pressure on. Skwiot scored on a passed ball and the Lightning had a 5-0 lead after 1 inning.

Fox kept the New Hartford team off the scoreboard in the top of the 2^nd with two strikeouts and a groundout.

After two quick outs in the bottom of the 2^nd, Max Leyland reached on an error, but New Hartford was able to get the final out and keep the game at 5-0.

Fox was touched for a couple of well placed infield singles in the top of the 3^rd, but struck out the side to keep the shutout intact.

Layden led off the bottom of the 3^rd with a bunt single, and after an out, Falvey also bunted for a single which scored Layden who had advanced on a stolen base and a passed ball. Chase Rancourt walked, then Andrews singled to knock in two more runs and the Lightning led 8-0 after three complete innings.

Fox continued his domination in the 4^th, getting two more strikeouts and a popout to keep New Hartford off the scoreboard. Fox finished the day with eight strikeouts and no walks allowed in four innings of stellar work.

In the bottom of the 4^th, Fox led off with a deep double over the center fielder’s head. Jack Livingstone then lined a shot that was grabbed nicely by the first baseman. Leyland was next and promptly lined a rocket to right center, but unfortunately the homeplate umpire called “no pitch.” Leyland settled back into the batter’s box and hit a sharp grounder to third base to score Fox, with Leyland reaching on an error. Andrew Gingold and Layden then walked to load the bases. Farley walked to bring in the 10^th run and then Jay Falvey was hit by a pitch to score the 11^th run and trigger the mercy victory and secure the championship for the Lightning.

The Lightning will finish up their travel season with a trip to the Dan Duquette Sports Academy in Hinsdale, MA, for a weekend tournament August 3- 5.

Submitted by West Hartford Youth Baseball League