West Hartford Youth Baseball Wrap-Ups for Week Ending June 2

MAJORS - AMERICAN LEAGUE

Monday, May 28:

Connors 26 Lions 3

Connors won its seventh game with a decisive victory of Lions Club. Colby Jones (4-0) was the winning pitcher. Dom Niman lead the team's offense with 5 hits and 5 runs scored. Max Main and Andrew Ferrucci each drove in 3 runs. Spencer Bavaro, Joe Stern, John Kirklin and Jack McGovern also played well for Connors. For the Lions, Jack and Matt Lazor and Thomas Cullen played well.

Home Runs: Connors: Andrew Ferrucci – 1, Joe Stern – 1

Blue Back Dental Edges Out Halls Market 4 - 2

Blue Back Dental defeated Halls Market 4 to 2 on Memorial Day. J. T. Wojciechowski pitched five exceptional innings, accumulating 10 strikeouts and did not allow any hits or runs. Naji Middleton came in the top of the six to close out the game. Jay Falvey, led BBD defensively, with six outstanding inning behind the plate. BBD offensive was led by Ryan DeLutrie (1 -2), Brendan Moore (1-2 and RBI), Max Ryan (1-3), Falvey (1-3 and RBI), Middleton (1-1).

Hall’s Market had a strong pitching performance from Charlie Murray, who struck out 9, in 4 1/3 innings. Nick Gaglioti maintained his strong offensive production by going 1 for 2 with a double.

Mr. Trophy Memorializes Talcott Transmissions 11-4
 
In one of the Memorial Day steamers, Mr. Trophy aggressively jumped out to a   4-0 lead in the first inning with a 2 run home run by Will Jackson (4 for 4, 2 home runs, 1 double, 1 single), followed by 2 more runs from hits by Brady Tober (2 for 4), Danny Harris (3 for 4), Bryan Albee (3 for 4), and the double by Jackson.
 
From the mound, Mateo Maturana was able to hold Talcott back with 2 scoreless innings in the first and second.
 
With the third inning approaching, Mr. Trophy heated up it's bats with 6 more runs on a double by Harris, two singles by Albee and Casey Shane, and, the second of Jackson's two homers, to score four of the six runs. Anthony Mancini, Maturana, and Jonathan Perez were also walked in that inning.

Making a solid run in the third and fourth innings, Talcott scored 4 runs, but was quickly stopped by the pitching of Perez and Shane, who combined, closed the game out with 4 K's and a scoreless Talcott in the bottom of the sixth inning.
  
Home Runs: Trophy - Will Jackson (6)

Wednesday, May 30:

Connors 15 Mr. Trophy 3

Connor pitcher Colby Jones won his 5th game (5-0) and Connors picked up their second victory over the AL leading Mr. Trophy. Jones led the offense with runs scored, 2 hits and 5 RBI's. Spencer Bavaro also had 2 hits and 3 RBI's. Jack McGovern and Andrew Ferrucci had strong defensive games for Connors. Casey Shane and Will Jackson played well for Mr. Trophy.

Home Runs: Will Jackson (Mr. Trophy).

Cornelius Beats Hall's 5-0

Cornelius beat Hall’s Market 5-0 led by a stellar pitching performance from Jack Moore who threw 5 shut-out innings striking out 9. William Hutensky completed the shut-out by closing out the 6^th inning. Cornelius offense was led by Moore 2-3 (double) and hits by Hutensky, Luke Carroll (3-3), Tom Dowd (1-1 with 2 walks) and Sean James. Cornelius defensive highlights include a running catch by Dowd in right and a glove flip for a force-out to 2^nd by James that was Jeteresque. Mack Phillips of Hall’s turned in 3 shut-out innings on the mound with 3 strike-outs and Thomas Miller made a tough catch look easy in right field saving 2 runs. Charlie Murray was 2-3.

Lions 7 Talcott Transmissions 6

In a close game the Lions come from behind to win in the bottom of the 6th on a pitch hit single by Tom Grady. Harry Freda pitched 4 innings and Trevor Ratchford finished the game, each giving up three runs. Trevor had a key triple in the bottom of the 6th which led to the tying run. Freda, Matt Lazor, Jack Lazor, Roger Lin also had hits. For Talcott, Michael Ciccarello and Jack Livingstone pitched a good game. Connor Mckeown, John Kozak and Nathan White all supported the offense with hits during the game.

Thursday, May 31:

Cornelius 2 Talcott Transmissions 0

Cornelius beat Talcott Transmissions 2-0 behind five innings of shutout pitching by Luke Carroll (5 K’s, no walks) who spread 3 hits and allowed only one runner to reach 3^rd base. Ivan Ribeiro pitched the 6^th inning striking out 2 for the save. Cornelius hitters included William Hutensky (1-2) who had the game winning RBI with a double to the wall in the 3^rd and caught all 6 innings well. Also hitting were Jack Moore (2-3), Carroll (1-3), Ribeiro (1-3, double), and Cole Johnson (1-2). Jimmy Shepard led off the 6^th with a long double and later scored an insurance run on a passed ball. Talcott was led by Michael Ciccarello who pitched 3 strong innings and doubled in the 6^th and Connor Mckeown who also pitched 3 solid innings and had a single.

MAJORS - NATIONAL LEAGUE

Monday, May 28:

Exchange 12 Police 4

Exchange defeated Police 12 to 4 on Memorial Day, behind the pitching of Matt Beazoglou, Sean O’Meara, and Brendan Begley. The 3 Exchange pitchers scattered 7 hits while striking out 6 and were helped by a solid defensive team led by the catching of Begley and Ethan Pinkes. The Exchange pitching trio also only allowed one walk in the 5^th inning. Exchange offense was powered by Pinkes (1 for 1, 2 RBI), Jon Brea (2 for 3, 2 RBI) and Aiden Shea (2 for 3 ,4 RBIi).

Exchange scored 5 in the 1^st and were energized by a beautiful base hit bunt by Brendan O’Meara which got the Exchange club going and led to an 11 batter inning. Kyle Armstrong also added an RBI and Michael Farley reached base 3 times.

Police was keyed by the hitting of Trent Weschler ( 3 hits) and Will Carpenter( 2 hits). The defensive gem of the game belonged to Chase Maxwell who made a shoestring catch to rob Exchange’s Sean O’Meara of extra bases. Matt Marino also had a nice grab in left and Michael Woods played a solid first base.

Tuesday, May 29:

Knight of Columbus 14 West Hartford Police 0

Nick Becker (4IP), Paul Wilson (1IP) and Avi Ehrlich (1IP) combined on a 2 hit shutout to lead the Knights to victory. With the score 2-0 after 2 innings of play, K of C scored 3 times in the 3rd on a solo home run by Paul Wilson (3 for 4, HR, RBI), and consecutive singles by Chase Jeter (3 for 4, 2B, HR, 4RBI), Drew Hungerford (3 for 4, 2B, 3RBI) and Luke Fox (3 for 3, 2RBI). The same crew was back at it in the 4th, plating 3 more runs on a bases loaded double by Hungerford, followed by an RBI single from Fox. K of C blew the game open in the 5th, scoring 6 runs. Will Layden (2 for 3, 2 RS) led the inning off with a single to CF, followed by a Wilson single. Jeter then drove the 1st pitch he saw over the left field fence for his 1st career homerun, a 3 run shot. After Hungerford and Fox had back to back singles, Becker (1 for 4, HR, 3RBI) put a stamp on the night with a 3 run homer, a blast to deep center. Ehrlich was once again stellar behind the plate for K of C, throwing out 2 base runners. K of C also turned a nifty 6-3-5 double play to end a Police threat in the 2nd. Police had a double by Ryan Cova (1 for 2, 2B) to deep left, a double by Will Carpenter (1 for 2, 2B), and 2 good at bats by Brian Rodriguez, who lined hard to 3rd and lined to center. Cova and Matt Marino played well defensively for Police.

Home Runs: K of C: Jeter (1), Wilson (3), Becker (2).

Venora Electric Beats Berry Insurance 6-3

Sean Langan was electric in this one as he pitched four shutout innings facing just one over the minimum for the win (4 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 9 K's).  The Venora offense scored three in the 1st on a leadoff home run from Dan Fitzsimmons, a double from Ryan Smith, and a single from Archie Southgate and then tacked on single runs in the 4th, 5th and 6th.  Berry never gave up rallying for a run in the 5th and then two runs in the 6th and left runners at 2nd and 3rd to end the game, but Fitzsimmons got a clutch strikeout and Venora picked up its 11th win.

The Venora offense was led by Fitzsimmons (2 for 3, 2 runs, home run), Smith (2 for 4, run, double), Southgate (2 for 4, RBI), Javi Jerez (2 for 3), and Karstian Lang (RBI).  Liam Langan made a nice catch at 3B.  Berry was led at the plate by Ned Blanchard (1 for 3, run), Drew Nemirow (1 for 3, run), Andrew Wendorff (1 for 2, run), and Ben Martin (1 for 3).  Jordan Frank made a great catch in right field and David Regan made a great catch at shortstop.  Blanchard pitched five strong innings with 5 K's.

Home Runs: Fitzsimmons (Venora)

Thursday, May 31:

Knights of Columbus 21 Keating Insurance  0
 
The bats were booming on this night for K of C, as the Knights exploded for 13 runs in the 1st inning on its way to victory over a Keating team that battled all night and never quit playing hard.  K of C had 10  hits in the 1st inning, and every player in the lineup reached base.  Big nights from Chase Jeter (3 for 3, 5 RBI, HR), Drew Hungerford (5 for 5, 2 2B, 4 RBI), Paul Wilson (3 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI), Nick Becker (2 for 4, 3 RBI) and Andrew Mitchell (3 for 5, 2B, RBI) propelled the attack.  Will Layden (1 for 2) and Sean Macary (2 for 4) also chipped in with hits.  K of C pitchers Chase Jeter (3IP, 2H, 7K) and Drew Hungerford (3IP, 0H, 6K) kept the Keating bats at bay most of the night.  Sean Hurley (1 for 3, 2B) and Alex Dobbins (1 for 2) were the hitting stars for Keating, Franklin Robinson made a great catch in LF on a hot line drive, and Jack Tousignant played a stellar 3rd base for Keating.
 
Home Runs:  K of C:  Chase Jeter (2)

Exchange 10 Berry 7

Exchange scored 8 runs in the second inning to outlast Berry 10-7. Matt Beazoglou ( 2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Brendan Begley (2 for 4, triple, 2 RBI) led the charge in the 2^nd when Exchange sent 13 players to the plate. Sean O’Meara also energized the Exchange rally with a nifty steal of home. Exchange pitchers Matt Beazoglou and Brendan Begley kept the Berry offense in check scattering hits while striking out 9. Berry was helped by a two run inside the park homer from Drew Nemirow. Nemirow(1 for 2, HR, 2 RBI) hit a towering shot to right and was able to reach home when Exchange outfielders Brendan O’Meara and Kyle Armstrong collided in a violent scary crash while they were both attempting to catch Nemirow’s shot. In the final inning Exchange ended a Berry rally when Noah Matalon was tagged out at the plate trying to score on a passed ball. Aiden Shea played an outstanding second base for the Exchange crew with a diving backhanded snare to get the force out at second, and a major league catch in short right field. David Regan had two hits for the Berry club and Nemirow struck out 11.

Home Runs:  Berry – Drew Nemirow (10)

MINOR LEAGUE

Sunday, May 27:

WH Fence Company Sand Gnats Beats WH Health & Rehab Owlz 22-6

In a game that was closer than the score indicates the Sand Gnats pull out their first win of the season beating the Owlz 22-6.  The Sand Gnats started the top of the first with a single by Justin Albee (4 for 4, 5 runs scored) a walk by Noah Pryzbek (4 for 4, 4 runs scored) and then both scored on a single by Desmond Nigol-Mason (2 for 4, 3 runs scored).   Nigol Mason later scored on a single by Noah Hurt (1 for 3).  The Owlz came back with a run of their own when Jake Scheinblum(1 for 2) walked and scored on a double by Myles Sierra (3 for 4).  With Sierra at 3 rd Albee made a diving catch at first on a ball hit by Michael Neff.  The Sand Gnats scored 4 more runs in the second, the last on a RBI walk to Brian Burke.  The Owlz were held scoreless in the second and the Sand Gnats got the last out when Jonathan was caught stealing on a great throw from Albee to Brandon Barnett.  The Sand Gnats scored 1 more run in the 3 rd on a single by Albee and an RBI single by Pryzbek.   The Owlz scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 3 rd when Luke Hache (3 for 4) singled and Jovani Owen was hit by a pitch and a 2 RBI single by Xavier (1 for 3).  Michael Barnet t (1 for 2) scored the gnats only run in the 4th.  The Owlz came back with 2 runs in the 4 th on back to back walks to Jonathan and Scheinblum and then a single by Sierra scored one run and the second came in on a ground out to short.  The Sand Gnats scored 4 runs in the 5 th on consecutive singles by Ryan Gothers (2 for 4), Albee, Brandon Barnett and then a double by Pryzbek.   Pryzbek scored on a RBI single by Michael Barnett.   The Owlz brought the score to 13-6 when Jonathan walked and scored on another RBI single by Sierra.  The Sand Gnats then broke the game open scoring 9 runs in the 6th inning start with a single by Christian McCall (2 for 4) and a RBI single by Gothers and then walks to Albee and Brandon Barnett (1 for 4) and then an RBI single by Pryzbek and then walks to Nigol-Mason, Michael Barnett, Gared Bard (2 for 2), Burke and then a single by Mccall finished the scoring for the sand Gnats.  Albee pitching in his 3rd inning gave up a lead off double and then struck out the next 2 batters and then the Sand Gnats got the last out on a ground out short to first.

Taylor Modeen Funeral Home Threshers Outlast the Gent Financial Group Rivercats

The Threshers and Rivercats battled it out in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.  The Threshers rallied late in the game to gain the 10-0 victory.  Things started with a great pitching duel between Teddy Keegan of the Rivercats and Drew Seidman of the Threshers.  Keegan went three strong innings holding the Threshers to only one run while striking out four.  However, Seidman was strong for the Threshers throwing two shutout innings with three K's.  Seidman was aided by his defense as catcher Jacob Newbury threw out a would-be base stealer.  Newbury's threw a one-hop bullet to second that beat the runner and shortstop Dylan Heinen made a beautiful pick up and tag to record the out.  Heinen also came on to pitch the third and fourth and continued the shutout streak retiring the side in both innings with 4 strikeouts.  The Rivercats also got strong pitching from their bullpen as Cohl D'Addabbo came on and was throwing smoke.  However, the Threshers made adjustments in the fifth and mounted their best rally of the day.  A few walks set the stage for Seidman (4-4, 4 RBI, 3 runs) who came up with the bases loaded to deliver the big blow of the game - a bases-clearing double to left field.  Jude Sargent followed with an RBI double but then the rally looked like it might stall as Rivercats outfielder Sam Kamm made a great running catch of a line drive to right center off the bat of Ethan Raisner.  Jacob Newbury (3-3, 2 RBI) then came through again as he did earlier in the game with a big two-out RBI hit.  The Threshers tacked on 3 more in the sixth behind hits from Dylan Romano, Brian Chelli, Seidman and Robert Schunder (3-3, 2 RBI, run).  Schunder closed the door in the fifth and sixth striking out four to seal the win.

Harry's Pizza Bats Beat Dick's Sporting Goods Grasshoppers 7-0.

There were no sticky situations for the Bats' pitchers as Joe Hussey (7K) and Dan Hussey (8K) held the Grasshoppers hitless. Offensively, it was a team effort by the Bats with clutch hitting by Patrick McGann, Jackson Muskrat, Jack Kuhnly, and Devon Barnum and extra base rips from Brian Namnoum and Dan Hussey.

The well coached Grasshoppers played impressive defense and executed relays with major league precision. The highlights were a diving catch by first baseman Matthew DeLutrie who threw a strike to home for a double play as catcher Jonathan Morrey skillfully made the tag. Also, second baseman Jack Correia made an accurate throw to the plate to snag a Bats' base runner.

Friday, June 1:

Taylor Modeen Funeral Home Threshers Squeak Past the Cow Parade Bulls 4-3.

Two top teams were at the top of their games as the Threshers edged the Bulls 4-3 on Friday night at Eisenhower Park.  Great pitching and great defense were on display from both sides.  Brady Tober started for the Bulls and was throwing strong over 3 innings, striking out 8.  After striking out the first two batters of the game, the Threshers got a walk and 3 singles in a row to push across the first run.  Jude Sargent (1-2, 1 RBI) had a big 2-out single to score Drew Seidman.  In the bottom half of the inning, the Bulls loaded the bases off of Seidman with two outs.  The next batter hit a smash to third base, but Ethan Raisner made a slick play on the ball to get the force out and end the threat.  The Bulls were back at it in the second inning getting the first two runners aboard, but Seidman managed to strike out the side to again escape trouble.  In the top of the third, the Threshers mounted a rally.  Josh Liebman was hit by the pitch and Dylan Heinen walked to set the stage for Robert Schunder (2-3, 1 run, 2 RBI) who laced a double to left-center scoring both runners.  Schunder later scored on an RBI groundout from Dylan Romano.  The Bulls answered right back in their half of the inning as Cooper Silver and Brett Berman walked to bring up Will Fox (2-2, 2 RBI, 1 run).  Fox ripped a double to the fence in right center to score two runs.  Seidman struck out the next batter before giving way to Dylan Heinen.  Harry Stevenson hit a roller to third and raced down the line to beat out the throw allowing Fox to score from third.  The next batter then hit a short pop-up in front of the plate and collided with Thresher catcher Sargent who was diving for the ball.  Quickly, Heinen, who was also charging in, grabbed the ball and fired to first to end the inning.  The rest of the game was all about pitching and defense.  Will Fox came on for the Bulls and shut down the Threshers over 3 innings striking out 5 and leaving runners stranded on third two different times.  The Threshers, however, matched the Bulls' pitching as Heinen pitched a scoreless fourth.  After a leadoff single by Joseph Shuey, Heinen helped himself by charging off the mound to field a beautiful bunt by Tobey Siegel, throwing down to first for the out.  On the play, the Bulls' baserunner made an aggressive turn from third and headed home.  First baseman Schunder alertly fired a strike to the catcher Sargent who absorbed the collision to apply the tag for the 1-3-2 double play.  Schunder then came on to pitch the fifth and sixth.  After striking out the side in the fifth, Schunder saw the tying run reach on a walk.  Fox came up to the plate and lined another would-be hit to right-center, but outfielder Brooks McConnell (back after a long injury lay-off) charged the ball and threw a bullet to second base to force out the runner.  Two batters later, the Bulls had runners on first and third but Schunder coaxed a ground out to Seidman at short who flipped to Heinen at second to end the game.