West Hartford Youth Baseball Wrap-Ups for Week Ending June 16

MAJORS - AMERICAN LEAGUE

Sunday, June 10:

Connors Beats Cornelius  4-3 in Playoffs

Though outhit 7 to 3, the Connors defense was the deciding factor in this well played and exciting game. Colby Jones notched his 7th win (7-0) and Dom Niman got the save by pitching a scoreless 5th & 6th inning. Drew Booth led the offense with a hit and two runs scored. Joe Stern got a clutch hit in the 4th to drive in the winning run. Max Main made several outstanding defensive plays at shortstop. John Kirklin played a solid first base and drove in a run.

Sean James and Jack Moore had strong game games for Cornelius.

Blue Black Dental edges out Halls Market 9 - 8 In Playoffs

Blue Black Dental defeated Halls Market 9 -8 on Sunday morning that saw the lead change numerous times.  Ryan DeLutrie pitched four strong innings, accumulating 6 strikeouts. J. T. Wojciecjowski came in and closed out the game.  BBD’s bats came alive with DeLutrie going 2 for 2; Max Ryan 4 for 4 (with two doubles and one triple); Justin Surowiec  going 2 for 4 (with a double); and Wojciechowski hitting a double that scored the tying run and later he scored the winning run on Jay Falvey’s hard single to center field. 

Hall’s Market had a strong pitching performance from Charlie Murray, who struck out 7, in 4 innings.  Hall’s offense was driven by Tom Costello who went 2 for 4 (with a double) and Nick Gaglioti who went 1 for 2 with a double.

MAJORS - NATIONAL LEAGUE

Sunday, June 10:

AC Petersen’s Beats Keating 12-6
 
The score does not tell the true story of this back and forth nail biter that was finally broke open with a monster grand slam by ACP’s Colin Fitzsimond’s in the bottom of the fourth inning as ACP surged ahead for the win.
  
In the top of the first, Keating started out strong with two runs. A beautiful lead-off single by Chris Pang (3 for 4) was followed by an error and a hit by pitch to James Gadue to load the bases. A smash hit by Tim Cotter (3 for 3) scored two runs, but a great play by the ACP outfield to relay the ball into Andrew Nicklas who then threw a missile to home plate and to catcher Tim Simplicio who put down the tag for the bang-bang play to notch the out and prevent another run. In the bottom of the first, ACP came back strong with four runs. A lead-off single by Nicklas (1 for 2, 2BB) followed with a single by Tyler Correia and then a big three-run home run by Tim Simplicio (2 for 4).  With the bases cleared, Bryan Renker (2 for 4) snuck a well hit single down the third base line and he scored on the next batter as Elias Heinen (1 for 2, 2BB) smashed a triple down the left field line. In the top of the second, things settled down as  Correia got the first two batters out and then another beautiful single by Chris Pang could not mount a rally. In the bottom of the inning, ACP tacked on two more. A lead-off single scorched up the middle by Peter Simplicio and a Keating error had two men on. Tim Simplicio drilled a single to score his brother Peter and then Colin Fitzsimonds hit a towering fly ball to right field to bring another home and at the end of two, ACP had a nice 6-2 lead. 

Keating was not about to go down quietly. In the top of the third and the top of the fourth they methodically started their comeback. In the third, a lead-off hit by Hughie Wells followed by a Tim Cotter double and a single drilled by Alex Dobbins, and the score was now 6-4. In the bottom third, ACP was silenced. In the top of the fourth, Keating was not. They scored as Jack Tousignant led off with a hit and then another hit by Pang, this time a well hit double, scoring Tousignant. Now with the score, 6-5, Keating was knockin’ with Pang at third base and no outs. The next batter hit the ball to the ACP pitcher Fitzsimonds up the third base line, Fitzsimonds held Pang on the third base line and threw to first for the sure out.  Pang then raced home on the throw as ACP first baseman Correia made the catch and threw home again to catcher Simplicio who put the tag on for another bang-bang play. And just like that, the bases were cleared with two outs and the next batter grounded out to end the inning. ACP took that momentum into the bottom of the inning, scoring six runs to not look back. A lead-off walk to Andrew Nicklas followed by two Keating errors and the based loaded. ACP’s next batter, Colin Fitzsimonds followed with 4 RBI’s as he launched a towering home run over the opposite field in right center for a well timed grand slam. A hit by Bryan Renker and a walk by Elias Heinen started another rally and they were both brought home on sacrifices by Carl Nicklas and Sam Kursman. Score: ACP 12, Keating 5. 

In the fifth Keating made some noise with a real chance to yet again surge back. A lead-off walk to Gadue, another Tim Cotter hit and then two walks had one run in and bases loaded, but pitcher Peter Simplicio was able to clamp down with two strike-outs and a nice catch in the outfield to end the rally with minimal damage. 

ACP put the game away in the top of the sixth with beautiful defense; a great catch on a towering fly ball to centerfielder Heinen and then an amazing running catch by outfielder Jack Tapia up against the left field line and then a soft fly ball to short-stop, A. Nicklas and the game was over, 12-6.
  
In the end it was a tight game with the difference being a couple of well executed bang-bang plays at home by ACP and the big grand slam by Fitzsimonds.

Home Runs: Fitzsimonds [1, (3)], Tim Simplicio [1, (2)]

Monday, June 11:

Knights of Columbus  16  Berry Insurance  2
 
In round 2 of the NL playoffs, K of C scored 4 in the 1st and 6 in the 2nd en route to a victory over a much improved Berry team, which had won 2 straight to get to the semi final round of the NL playoffs. In the 1st with one out, Chase Jeter (3 for 4) smacked a single to CF, and was driven home on a booming double by Drew Hungerford (3 for 4, 3 2B's, 3 RBI) off the fence to make it 1-0. Nick Becker and Avi Ehrlich also had RBI ground outs in the inning. In the 2nd, K of C exploded for 6 more, as the Knights strung together 6 straight hits.  Jeter, Hungerford, Luke Fox (1 for 4, 2B), Becker (3 for 4, 2B, HR, 5 RBI) and Ehrlich (3 for 4, 2B, 3RBI) hit consecutive doubles, and Sean Macary (1 for 4, RBI) singled home a run. In the 4th, Becker followed another Hungerford double with a line drive homerun to push the score to 12-1. K of C finished its scoring in the 5th, scoring 4 more times, and again Becker delivered the big hit, a bases loaded double to plate 2 runs, and Ehrlich followed with a scorching RBI single.
 
Luke Fox was the starting and winning pitcher, going 3 innings, yielding no hits while striking out 7. Hungerford (2IP) and Becker (1IP) provided relief for the Knights. 
 
Berry's Drew Nemirow had the lone Berry hit, a rocket double to RF. Andrew Wendorff pitched and played great OF for Berry. 
 
Home Runs:  K of C: Nick Becker (3)

Thursday, June 14:

Venora Beats A.C. Petersen 6-5 to Advance to NL Championship

In a hard fought game, Venora Electric rallied from 4-1 down in the bottom of the 5th to take a 6-4 lead and then held on in the 6th to beat a gutsy A.C. Petersen team 6-5.  

ACP came out swinging the bats in the 1st with two hits by Andrew Nicklas and Colin Fitzsimonds, but Venora centerfielder Gabe Salomons made a perfect throw home to get Nicklas and keep the game scoreless.  ACP ace Tyler Correia was strong on the mound with two scoreless innings and then ACP jumped ahead off Venora ace Sean Langan in the top of the 3rd. Nicklas singled, Tim Simplicio reached on an error, Eli Heinen singled Nicklas home and Brian Renker scored Simplicio on another error for a 2-0 lead. Venora cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the inning with a single from Fitzsimmons and an RBI double from Langan. ACP came back with two more runs in the 4th as Peter Simplicio and Nicklas scored on a hit from Correia and nifty baserunning from Nicklas to force an error at the plate. Correia then pitched out of trouble in the 4th as Eli Heinen threw Josh Wolmer out at the plate, Correia struck out Chase Rancourt with the bases loaded, and Nicklas speared a line drive off the bat of Liam Langan to end the inning with ACP ahead 4-1.

Sean Langan prevented further damage with a quick top of the 5th reaching his 85 pitch limit. The Venora bats awoke in the 5th with five runs on four hits and two walks led by RBI singles from Ryan Smith and Archie Southgate and a 2 RBI single from Rancourt for a 6-4 lead. Fitzsimonds came on in relief to prevent further damage strking out two batters with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Dan Fitzsimmons relieved Langan in the top of the 6th and Nicklas greeted him with a line single down the 3B line for his 4th hit of the night followed by a walk to Correia. Fitzsimmons then struck out Simplicio and walked Fitzsimonds to load the bases. Heinen then grounded out to score a run cutting it to 6-5 and putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. Fitzsimmons then got Renker to ground back to the mound to end the game.

The ACP offense was led by Andrew Nicklas (4 for 4, 3 runs), Carl Nicklas (1 for 1), Eli Heinen (RBI single), Tim Simplicio (run), and Tyler Correia (1 for 3, RBI). Correia (4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 4 K's, 2 BB) pitched a great game. Heinen made a great throw to home. The Venora offense was led by Fitzsimmons (2 for 4, 2 runs), Langan (1 for 1, double, two walks), Southgate (2 for 3, run, RBI), Rancourt (2 RBI's), and Javi Jerez (1 for 2, run, walk). Langan (5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 6 K's, 2 BB) pitched great to keep his team in the game. Rancourt at 3B and Salomons in CF were the defensive stars for Venora.

Friday, June 15:

National League Championship Game
 
Knights of Columbus 11 Venora Electric 1
 
In a much-anticipated matchup between the top two teams in the National League, and a rematch of last years final, K of C captured the NL crown with a 11-1 victory. In the top of the 1st, Venora Electric announced its presence with a one out, solo homerun deep into the trees in left center by Sean Langan (1 for 2, HR, RBI). As it has done all year, K of C responded by scoring 5 runs in their half of the 1st. With one out, Chase Jeter smoked a line drive homerun to left to knot the score. K of C's third hitter, Drew Hungerford, then laced a single to RF. Luke Fox then bombed a triple to RF to score Hungerford. Nick Becker walked, and both Fox and Becker scored on a perfectly executed bunt by Avi Ehrlich. In the 3rd, K of C scored 3 more runs to make it 8-1. With 2 outs and nobody on, Paul Wilson (1 for 3, 2B) doubled to left, and Chase Jeter walked. Drew Hungerford (2 for 3, 3B, 3RBI) then delivered a clutch two out triple to deep left center to score both Wilson and Jeter. Hungerford scored 2 pitches later on a single by Fox (2 for 4, 3B, 2RBI). Meanwhile, after the Langan homerun, K of C ace Chase Jeter (5IP, 4H, 1ER, 7K) settled in and kept Venora off the scoreboard. He got defensive support throughout the night from Andrew Mitchell in CF, Fox at SS, Becker at 2B and Hungerford at 1B as Venora put together tough at bats versus the league's premier pitcher.  Ryan Smith (1 for 3), Dan Fitzsimmons (1 for 3) and Gabe Solomons (1 for 2) all had great nights for Venora. Chase Rancourt had the defensive play of the night for Venora, snaring a vicious line drive at 3B with 2 on to snuff out a K of C rally.
 
Home Runs: Venora Electric: Sean Langan; K of C: Chase Jeter

MINOR LEAGUE

Sunday, June 10:

Harry's Pizza Bats Beat Dick's Sporting Goods Grasshoppers 10-9 in Playoffs

In the first inning of this exciting game, the Grasshoppers jumped to an early 3-0 lead with hits by George Andrews, Avery Theriault, and Shibe Couchman. The Bats rallied to score two in the first on hits by Patrick McGann, Joe Hussey, and Christian Pedro. The Hoppers scored six more in the next few innings with a two RBI single by George Andrews as well hits by Jack Correia, Griffin Macary and John Cashman. The resilient Bats battled to tie the score with three in the second from hits by Joe Hussey and a two RBI triple by Christian Pedro and with four in the fourth from a roped triple by Joe Hussey and a clutch two RBI hit by Jack Kuhnly.  Tyler Staron of the Bats had  the dramatic game winning two out RBI in the bottom of the sixth. The Bats had spectacular web gems by Alex Sarkisian at catcher and by Devan Barnum at pitcher.

Saturday, June 16:

Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home Threshers Beat Harry’s Pizza Bats

Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home Threshers come from behind for walk-off win over the Harry’s Pizza Bats

The Threshers scored four runs in the decisive 6th inning as Brooks McConnell, just recently back from the DL, hit the game winning single to give the Threshers a 13-12 victory. The win advances them into the Minor League Championship Game on Sunday at Wolcott Park.

The game see-sawed early as the Threshers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first around four walks and an RBI hit from Brian Chelli (1-2, RBI). The Bats answered right back in the second with four runs of their own. Tyler Staron had an RBI hit, but the big blow of the inning came when Joe Hussey ripped a 3-run triple. Jude Sargent came on in relief for the Threshers and stranded the runner at third as the inning ended on a line drive out to Threshers’ second baseman Jack Brown. The Threshers took the lead back in the bottom of the second. After the first two Threshers reached, Josh Liebman ripped a single up the middle to score a run. After another walk, Drew Seidman (2-3, 3 RBI, 2 runs) shot one up the middle as well to score two more runs. Three more hits came off the bats of Sargent (3-3, 2 RBI, 2runs), Jacob Newbury (1-2, 2 RBI) and McConnell (2-3, 2 RBI) as the Threshers scored five in the inning. The Bats drew one run closer in the third with an RBI hit from Patrick McGann (2-5, 1 RBI, 1 run). They then tied it up in the fourth with big hits from Brian Namnoum (2-3, 2 runs), Devan Barnum (1-2, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Alex Sarkisian (3-4, 1 RBI, 1 run) and a triple off the bat of Christian Pedro (3-4, 4 RBI, 2 triples, 2 runs).

Devon Barnum quieted the Threshers’ bats in the third and fourth innings allowing the Bats to take the lead with a big four-run fifth. McGann started the rally with a single and two more batters walked before Pedro once again ripped a bases-clearing triple. Sarkisian followed with a double pushing the Bats lead to 12-8. Threshers’ pitcher Robert Schunder settled down and stranded the runner again striking out two batters to end the inning. The Threshers added a run in the fifth as a Schunder (2-3, 3 runs) was followed by an RBI double from Sargent. Schunder pitched a scoreless sixth to set the stage for the Threshers big sixth inning.

Following a lead-off strikeout, Dylan Romano got things going with a crucial at-bat that included fouling off multiple two-strike pitches before drawing the walk. After another K, the Threshers were down to their last out. The Threshers never gave up, however, as the next batter drew a walk and Seidman ripped another hit to drive in a run. Schunder followed with a single and then a walk to Sargent loaded the bases. Newbury came up with a chance to be a hero and did his job by drawing a walk to force in the tying run. That set the stage for McConnell who shot a 1-1 pitch to the right side of the infield just past the diving second baseman allowing the winning run to score.