2019 Tri-State Champions: Terryville Black Sox

Game 1: Terryville Black Sox 4    Naugatuck Dogs 2

Kody Kerski came on in relief with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the bases loaded and struck out the Dogs clean-up hitter to save Game 1 for Terryville as they defeated Naugatuck by a final score of 4-2. Ken Kerski started the game on the mound for the Black Sox and pitched six innings allowing just three hits before giving way to reliever Jared Gallegher after Kerski walked the first two batters to open the seventh. Naugy broke through with their only runs of the game in the seventh on a two-run single by Sean Miller-Jones. The theme of the night was stranded base runners for Naugy who had 11 men stranded in the first 6 innings and ended the game with the bases loaded.

Meanwhile, Nick DeLotto homered in the second inning for Terryville, who scored two more runs in the sixth inning on RBI singles by Christian Callahan and Kyle Skidmore, and capped their scoring with a Gavin Lavallee crushed home run to deep left center field in the bottom of the seventh. Naugy’s Kevin Murray and Adam Navesky limited Terryville to just 6 hits on the game but the Black Sox made every hit count.

Game 2:  Terryville Black Sox 5    Naugatuck Dogs 1

Fans were treated to a pitching clinic on Friday night August 23 after two straight nights of Thunderstorms cancelled games both Wednesday and Thursday, Kody Kerski, who spent 4 seasons in the Seattle Mariners organization, took the hill for the Black Sox and popped the catchers glove all night long as his 90mph fastball was whizzing towards home plate. Kerski was opposed by Tri-State veteran Lance Stevens, whom himself has Independent ball experience, and the two did not disappoint the baseball purists as they put on a pitching clinic.Naugatuck was making its third World Series appearance in four seasons winning a league championship in 2017. Terryville was looking for its first banner in twelve seasons in the league. The Black sox lost last years World Series to the Tri-Town Trojans.

Stevens did not allow a hit until the sixth inning when Kyle Tehan’s RBI single scored Billy Armstrong from second base with the games first run as Terryville took a 1-0 lead. Not to be outdone, the heart of the Naugy lineup performed some two-out magic as Kyle Murphy started things with a bomb to center field and ended up on second base. Following an intentional walk to 2018 league MVP Ryan Plourde, Devin Murphy’s single scored his brother Kyle with the tying run as the sixth inning ended tied at one apiece.

The Black Sox were back at it in the top of the 7th as Justin McCulloch led off the inning with a double, went to third on a fielders choice, and scored on an Ian Schmidt sac fly. Tyler Wenz added a two run single later in the frame as the Black Sox took a 4-1 lead. Meanwhile, Kody Kerski was dealing on the mound and had no plans on handing the ball back to ayone who was going to try and take it from him. Kerski finished with 15 strikeouts on the mound going the 9 inning distance, allowing just three hits all game – result – a celebration on the mound when the last out was recorded. Final score: Terryville 5 – Naugatuck 1

Tri-state has now had 10 different league champions crowned in the past 13 seasons. Opening Day 2020: Sunday May 17