West Hartford Youth Baseball Leauge

April 27th - April 29th

Major League:

Sunday, April 27th

Blue Back Dental 11 Talcott Transmissions 3

For the 2014 season opener, Matthew Lazar, Michael Costello and Jay Falvey each pitched two innings and collectively allowed 5 hits and 1 earned run to lead Blue Back Dental over a very disciplined Talcott Transmission team, 11-3 at Beachland Stadium, this past Sunday afternoon. Both teams excelled in play and demonstrated great fielding, hustle and overall sportsmanship throughout the game.

Mr. Trophy 4 Connors Insurance 2

In a game dominated by pitching, Mr. Trophy defeated Connors Insurance 4-2.  Mr. Trophy scored 2 in the first and 2 in the second and held on with solid pitching and defense.  They were led offensively by Jack McGovern (2 for 3, 2 RBI) and Anthony Mancini (1 for 3, RBI). Gage Doorman, McGovern and Bailey Nemirow struck out ten and gave up just one hit.

Connors pitching was also impressive. Sam Borg, Andrew Gingold and Matthew Glassman struck out 10 Trophy batters.

Mr. Trophy Pitching:  Gage Doorman (2 IP), Jack McGovern (2 IP) and Bailey Nemirow (2 IP)

Connors Pitching: Sam Borg (2 IP), Andrew Gingold (2 IP) and Matthew Glassman (2 IP)

Cornelius 8 Hall’s Market 4

Cornelius beat Hall's Market behind the solid pitching of Max Leyland who struck out 5 batters and gave up only 5 hits in 4 innings.  Desmond Nigol-Mason and Tom Dowd closed the game pitching an inning each and giving up no hits with 3 strike outs.  

Cornelius scored 6 in the second inning and held on for the win.

For Cornelius Dowd, Leyland and Devin Mahoney each had 2 hits with Dowd, Mahoney, and Nigol-Mason driving in 2 runs apiece.

Mack Phillips led the offense for Hall's opening his season with a shot bouncing of the left center wall, ending up with 2 hits and an RBI.  Phillips and Tom Miller also stole two bases each.

Matt DeLutrie and Tommy Costello shut the Cornelius offense down giving up one run in three innings.

The teams meet again on May 23rd.

Cornelius Pitching: Max Leyland: 4 IP (W), Desmond Nigol- Mason 1 IP, Tom Dowd- 1 IP

Halls Pitching: Mack Phillips- 2IP, Matt Delutrie- 2 IP, Tommy Costello- 2 IP

Venora Electric 9 A.C. Petersen Farms Restaurant 2

Venora Electric pounded out 14 hits, including 3 home runs by Chase Rancourt, on its way to a 9-2 win over A.C. Petersen on Opening Day at Wolcott Park.  Rancourt launched his first HR in the 1st to give Venora a 2-0 lead.  Venora tacked on two more in the 2nd and four more in the 3rd led by Rancourt's second home run and a two out 2 RBI single from Eli Salomons for an 8-0 lead.  A.C. Petersen closed the gap to 8-2 with a run in the 4th and a run in the 5th and some good pitching from Robert Schunder and Carl Nicklas.  Rancourt capped off the scoring in the 6th with a leadoff solo home run.

Venora was led on offense by Rancourt (3 for 4, 3 home runs, 4 RBI's), Karstian Lang (3 for 4, 2 SB), Liam Langan (2 for 3, run), Zander Boehm (2 for 4), Charlie Kristofak (2 for 3, run), and Eli Salomons (1 for 3, run, 2 RBI).  A.C. Petersen was led by Dylan Heinen (2 for 2, walk, run, 4 SB's), Carl Nicklas (1 for 3, 2 SB), and Peter Simplicio (1 for 3).

Rancourt got the win on the mound with 2 strong innings with 6 K's.  Gabe Salomons (2 IP, 3 K's) and Karstian Lang (2 IP, 0 R) also pitched well. Peter Simplicio, Schunder and Nicklas shared the pitching duties for ACP.

ACP was led defensively by Brooks McConnell who made several nice plays in CF and Drew Seidman who made several nice plays at SS.  Brandon Wolmer caught a nice game for Venora and made a great catch in RF to prevent an extra base hit.

Venora Pitching: Rancourt (2 IP), G. Salomons (2 IP), Lang (2 IP).

ACP Pitching: Simplicio (2 IP), Schunder (2 IP), Nicklas (2 IP).

Home Runs: Rancourt 3 (3).

Berry Insurance 1 Knight of Columbus 0

In what was an exciting game led by pitching and defense, Berry beat KofC 1-0.  KofC threatened early but with two great plays by Andrew Wendorff (threw out a runner at second and threw out a runner at home) Berry escaped with no damaged done.  Christian Pedro then roped one to the gap but KofC made two perfect throws to get Pedro as he slide into second.  Both teams defensively showed up as they continued to make plays and keep each other from scoring.  Berry however pulled it off in the bottom of the 6 inning.  Noah Matalon singled (1-3, run), followed by a walk to Christian Pedro (1-2, single), followed by a single by Griffin Van Rye (3-3, 3 singles).  With the bases loaded and 1 out Wendorff (1-3, RBI) hit a dribbler towards third base to score Matalon from third and give Berry the win.

Berry pitchers (Van Rye, Dease and Wendorff) gave up 3 hit, recorded 9 KO and did not allow a run.

KofC pitcher (Layden, Sargent, and Fox) gave up 7 hits and recorded 8 KO.

Berry offense was led by Van Rye (3-3, 3 singles), Noah Matalon (1-3, run), Christian Pedro (1-2, single), Andrew Wendorff (1-3, RBI) and Nathan Gonzalez (1-2, single)

KofC offense was led by Fox (2-2, two singles), Stone (1-3, single) and LaBranch (1-2, single)

Berry pitching: Van Rye 2 IP, Dease 2 IP, Wendorff 2 IP.

KofC pitching: Layden 2 IP, Sargent 2 IP, Fox 2 IP 

Monday, April 28th

Blue Back Dental 10 A.C. Petersen Farms Restaurant

Blue Back Dental pitchers Matthew Lazer, Michael Costello and Jay Falvey combined to pitch five strong innings limiting ACP to just two runs.

Jay Falvey had three hits and Matt Lazer contributed with two hits. Defense gems by third baseman John Cashman and first baseman Texas Joe contributed greatly to BBD's win!

For ACP, good hitting and pitching performances by Carl Nicholas, Rob Schunder and Simplich.

Connors Insurance 10 Knights of Columbus 2

A well-played game saw Connors pull ahead late for a 10-2 victory at Wolcott Park.  The game began as a pitching duel with Carson Tanner for Connors, who earned his first Major League victory, and Will Fox for K of C.  Connors was able to scratch out a single run in both the first and second innings, with Patrick McGann and Andrew Gingold scoring after leading off each inning with singles.

Connors expanded the lead to 7-0 in the top of the 4th inning by plating 5 runs behind singles from Timmy Andrews, Sam Borg, a key walk to Mario Volpe and then another single from Michael Bevilacqua.  Jonathan Morrey then followed with a booming double and clutch hits followed from Harrison Sweeney and Alexander Sarkisian.

K of C answered back with a run in the bottom of the 4th with singles from Liam Stone and Kobe Dominguez.

Connors got that run right back in the top of the 5th when Matthew Glassman walked and scored on an Andrews single.  They then tacked on 2 more in the top of the 6th highlighted by singles from Volpe, Morrey and Sarkisian.

Will Layden led off the bottom of the 6th with a deep HR down the leftfield line, but Connors was able to escape further damage and close out the victory.

 Hitting well for K of C were Jude Sargent (1-3), Layden (2-3, HR) and Will Fox (2-3); for Connors Andrews, Morrey and Sarkisian all had 2 hits apiece.

 K of C Pitching: Will Fox  (2IP), Joe Morganthaler (2IP), Will Layden (1IP) and Jude Sargent (1IP)

Connors Pitching: Carson Tanner (2IP), Andrew Gingold (2IP) and Matthew Glassman (2IP)

Keating Insurance 19 Cornelius 8

Keating Insurance and Cornelius lit up the scoreboard on Monday as they combined for 27 runs. In the end, Keating Insurance won the offensive battle 19-8 in five innings.

Hitters on both sides were strong at the plate as the teams combined for 13 hits, including three extra base hits.

Fourteen runs in the opening three innings allowed Keating Insurance to stay ahead of Cornelius. A key bases loaded walk by Harry Stevenson and a two-run single by Jacob Newbury in the first inning got the Keating Insurance offense started.  

Aiden Mcgee blasted a two-run triple in his first plate appearance in the Majors during the second inning extending Keating Insurance's early offensive output. 

Tim Cotter racked up two RBIs on three hits for Keating doubling in the third inning and singles in the first and fourth innings.

Keating's starting Pitcher, Andrew Skwiot pitched two scoreless innings with some key defensive plays behind him - includiing a 4-3 put out by EJ Echevarria on a ball scorched to 2nd.  Skwiot set the tone for the game by giving up just one hit, no earned runs, walking none and striking out five during his two innings of work leaving the game with a 8-0 lead.

Cornelius scored five runs in the top of the third to cut its deficit to three. A walk by Teddy Keegan, a bases loaded walk, a walk by Jacob Caron, a walk by Keegan Bankoff, and a walk by Justin Goldstein set off Cornelius' rally.

Seth Ehrlich came in to pitch in his first Major League appearance with the bases loaded and after a few tough at bats by Cornelius was able to field a ground ball (1-3 put out) to end the threat.

Keating Insurance survived Cornelius' surge and put up six runs of its own in the third. Ehrlich pitched the fourth inning giving up 3 runs on one hit and striking out the side. 

Keating's offense continued to put up runs with key base running by Josh Liebman (3 runs scored and .750 OBP) and Mitchell Baboff (1 for 4 and 2SB). 

Leo Mulready (1 for 1 / 1.000 OBP and runs scored) and Desmond Nigel Mason (1 for 2  / .750 OBP and 2 runs scored) led the Cornelius offense.  

Tim Cotter closed out the game on the mound for Keating in the fifth inning with the home team putting up three runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game with a final of 19-8.

Tuesday, April 29th

Berry Insurance 19 Hall’s Market 8

Berry pitching: G. Van Rye - 2 IP , T. Dease - 2 IP, S. Musto 2 IP 

Hall's pitching: M. Phillips - 1 IP, T. Miller 1 IP, M. Delutrie 2 IP, T. Costello 1 ip

Home Runs:

Berry - Van Rye

Hall's - M. Phillips

Venora Electric 8 Mr. Trophy 4

Venora Electric dominated the first half of the game and Mr. Trophy dominated the second half in this late start played on a rainy cold night at Wolcott.  Venora roared out of the gate with all 8 of its runs in the first two innings.  Zander Boehm smacked a two out 2 RBI double in the 1st to give Venora a 2-0 lead.  In the 2nd, Venora scored the maximum six runs behind big hits from Cohl D'Addabbo (double), Karstian Lang (RBI single), Chase Rancourt (home run), Liam Langan (single), Boehm (RBI single), and Brandon Wolmer (RBI single).  Meanwhile Rancourt was dominant on the mound striking out six of the seven batters he faced over two innings. 

Trophy never quit and the tide turned in the 3rd when fireballer Brady Tober took to the mound.  Tober struck out 4 and picked off the only baserunner he allowed.  Bailey Nemirow then pitched a perfect 5th to keep Trophy in the game.  The Trophy bats awakened in the 5th with two runs on RBI singles from Jonathan Pedrazza and Jack McGovern to narrow the score to 8-3.  Trophy tacked on a run in the 6th keyed by a booming double from Nemirow and a single from Tober.  Karstian Lang got the final outs to seal the Venora win.

Venora's offense was led by Lang (2 for 2, 2 runs, RBI), Rancourt (1 for 2, 2 runs, home run, RBI), Boehm (2 for 3, double, 3 RBI's), and D'Addabbo (double, run).  Trophy's offense was led by Pedrazza (2 for 2, RBI), McGovern (1 for 2, run, RBI, HBP), Tober (1 for 2, BB) and Nemirow (double).  Venora's defense was led by Aidan Foley with several heads up plays at 2B and Eli Salomons in right field who stole a base hit from Jaedan Carrero with a strong throw from right field to first base to end a Trophy threat in the 4th.

Venora Pitching: Rancourt (2 IP), G. Salomons (2 IP), Lang (2 IP).

Mr.Trophy Pitching:  Maturana (2 IP), Tober (3 IP), Nemirow (1 IP).

Home Runs:

Venora - Rancourt (4)

Minor League:

Sunday, April 27th

Beachland Tavern 21 Rizzuto’s 6

The defending champion Beachland Tavern Bandits opened up the defense of their 2013 title against a pesky Rizzutos squad on a cool, muddy opening day. 

The Bandits came out early with two runs paced by corner infielder Shane Bradley's outfield knock (2 for 2, 2r, 3RBI). After a shutdown first by starter Declan McCann, Victor "the Czar" Brancieri (1 for 2, 2r, 2RBI) came up big with a 2 RBI knock to put the tavern up 6-0. However the ovens were finally warm and it was time for the pasta boilers to boil up a comeback. In the bottom of the second Troy Griffith (1 for 1, 1r, 1 RBI) and Rizzuto's fired back at the Tavern with a mercy five runs and the game was anyone's to have. Enter the sandman, Mattie Santoro. Santoro came in gunning and fanned 5 over two to stymie the Italian eatery's momentum. In the fourth, Bandit mashers Chuck Blanchard (1 for 2, 2r, 4RBI) and Mason Chabot (2 for 3, 1r, 3RBI) both delivered to extend the lead to 11-6 after four. Blanchard also excelled behind the dish for the tavern. Closer Ryan Murphy came in for the final two frames, striking out four to close the door. He got help from "Big Game" James O'Connor's bang bang heads up double play to finish a Rizzutos' bases loaded threat. 

Standouts for Rizzutos included Landon Traverse (2 for 3) and Ethan Raisner (1 for 2) as well as Griffith. Bandits Tommy "Wheels" Baldini (2 for 3, 3r, 1RBI) and Joey "Cash Money" Cashman (1 for 2, 2r, 1RBI) had great days at the dish and pushed their team ahead for good in the final frame.

Bandits Pitching: McCann 2, Santoro 2, Murphy 2
Rizzutos Pitching: Traverse 2, McHugh 2, E Raisner 2

Goldberg’s Bagels 8 Harry’s Pizza 0

Goldberg's: Redden (2 IP), Owen (1 IP), Samela (1 IP), N. Kane (2 IP).

Harry's: Langevin (2 IP), Redmond (2 IP), Tanis (1 IP), A. Mangini (1 IP).

Sliders Grill 14 Effie’s Place 10

Sliders Pitching:  Correia (2 IP), Gray (2 IP), Shaughnessy (2 IP), Laney (2 IP).

Pepe’s Pizza 16 Joey’s Pizza Pie 1

On a cool, cloudy afternoon, Joey's Pizza Pie and Pepe's Pizza opened their 2014 WHYBL Minor League seasons at Fern Park. Pepe's jumped out to an early first-inning lead and notched a 16-1 win over its American League counterparts. 

Griffin Paulus pitched two strong innings for Pepe's, giving up one hit while striking out six. Ryan Roller also pitched two strong innings, yielding one hit and striking out six. Nick Peterson was efficient, needing only 11 pitches to get through the fifth while Theo Allen struck out the side in the sixth. 

For Joey's, Tommy Parker struck out two in his one inning of work. In his 1 2/3 innings of work, Jack Lubin recorded five strikeouts while Cooper Silver pitched 2 2/3 gritty innings and struck out seven.

Pepe's, who had 12 of its 13 batters reach base, showed some pop at the plate, particularly Matt Gelinas, who socked an inside-the-park grand slam in the sixth inning. Gelinas' four RBI led the team. Grant Pennoyer, Demarre Joseph and Drew Lewis, who also had two hits, drove in two runs apiece. Peterson led the team with three runs scored and also had two hits.

For Joey's, Kyle Barnum went 2-for-2 and reached  base in all three plate appearances and Easton Swift reached base in both of his plate appearances.

Pepe's Pitching: Griffin Paulus (2); Ryan Roller (2), Nick Peterson (1), Theo Allen (1)

Joey's Pitching: Tommy Parker (1); Jack Lubin (2); Cooper Silver (3), Ben Danis (1)

Pinkberry 6 Dick’s Sporting Goods 5

Monday April 28th

Beachland Tavern Bandits 4 Sliders Grill 2

Bandits fend off Sliders Grill's late push, hold on 4-2

In a well-played, game that 'watched' better than a major league affair Sliders Grill just wasn't able to overcome a three run hole against Beachland and fell 4-2 to the defending champs. 

Sliders scored on an RBI single by Tyler West (1 for 2, 1 RBI) in the third inning and a groundout by Jack Correia in the fourth inning, but it couldn't draw even. 

Ryan Murphy (1 for 1, 2r) powered the Bandits offense and reached base safely in both at bats. Chuck Blanchard worked three solid for the win and passed the pill to the sandman Matt Santoro who simply shut down the Grill while on the hill. He also flashed the glove on a tough bunt play to stop a rally. Murphy came in to cool the Grill for good and got an assist from a nifty nab by corner infielder Shane Bradley. 

Sliders managed just one hit off of the sandman who allowed no earned runs, walked one and struck out five during his two innings of work.

Despite the loss, Slider's Jack Corriea did well against Tavern's batters, giving up one run and striking out five and Baron fielded the mound very well. 

Beachland Tavern didn't relinquish the lead after scoring in the first. Tavern tacked on another two runs in the second. A steal of home scored Mason Chabot for the inning's first run. That was followed up by Joey Cash'money'man's (1 for 2) single. In the fourth Tavern scored on a nice RBI groundout by Blanchard. Blanchard and Murphy were stellar behind the dish. Both gunned-out would-be runners and kept the Grill in check on the paths. 

Bandits Pitching: Blanchard 3, Santoro 2, Murphy 1

Sliders Pitching: Baron 2, Grady 1, Corriea 2 

Pepe’s Pizza 9 Harry’s Pizza 1

It was a beautiful, Monday afternoon for baseball at Fern Park as Harry's Pizza hosted Pepe's Pizza in a matchup of two of the three American League pizza teams. 

The visitors scored three runs in the top of the first and held on the rest of the way to notch a 9-1 win. 

Pepe's Ryan Roller pitched two strong innings, striking out five and reached base in all three plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with a walk, three RBI and a run scored as Drew Lewis drove Roller in with a single to right in the fifth inning. It was Lewis' second RBI of the game. 

Nick Peterson, Griffin Paulus and Matt Gelinas each scored two runs and Demarre Joseph had Pepe's only extra base hit with a double in the sixth. Paulus also struck out six in his two innings on the mound and Peterson and Theo Allen each pitched scoreless innings. 

For Harrys, Peter Langevin had a strong game going 2-for-2 with a run scored. Langevin also pitched two strong innings, striking out five. Jack Redmond pitched two scoreless innings, facing one batter over the minimum and striking out two. Trevor Tanis and Anthony Mangini pitched in the final two innings and combined to strike out four.

Pepe's Pitching: Griffing Paulus (2); Ryan Roller (2); Nick Peterson (1); Theo Allen (1)

Harry's Pitching: Peter Langevin (2); Jack Redmond (2); Trevor Tanis (1); Anthony Mangini (1)

Tuesday, April 29th

Dick’s Sporting Goods 5 Effie’s Place 5

Goldberg’s 6 Pinkberry 0