Sunday May 22
Winsted Whalers 12 Southington Gamecocks 9
The day was hot, the competition was hotter. The Whale faced off against the Gamecocks in an extra inning battle. Jay Torres started for the Whale while Mike Danisevich started for Southington. Both pitchers threw strikes. The whole game was up and down for both teams. The Gamecocks struck first with Pat Smith and Tyler Fernandez hitting a triple and double, bringing in two runs. For the Whale, Jay Torres got on with a single and managed to get home without any hits from 2, 3, and 4. The Whale and Gamecocks would alternate on who was in the lead through the game. Hitters that lead the Whale were Jay Torres, 4 for 5 with two singles, a double, a triple as well as Lukas Gryniuk, 3 for 5 with a double, solo HR and three run HR with the latter being the walk-off. Lukas takes the home run lead with 2 on the season so far. The Gamecocks had Tyler Fernandez, 2 for 3 with two doubles and Brenden Covaco, 3 for 3 with a walk, single, double, and triple.
The 7th and 8th were filled with hope and disappointment. Going into the 7th inning, the Whale were up by 4 runs and Mitchell Gryniuk was keen on finishing it on the mound. It seemed that Mitchell remembered his low ERA from last season and wanted to level it out. Walking two and giving up three hits, Southington tied the game. The bottom 7th and top 8th didn’t result in anything. The bottom 8th was a rollercoaster of emotion. The Whale managed to get two on, but a line drive proved otherwise. The runner on third was picked off resulting in a double play, shedding light on the Gamecocks and getting out of the inning. Lukas Gryniuk was up to the plate. Getting to a 3-2 count, Lukas would foul off the next five pitches before getting his 11th pitch. This 11th proved to be the dagger because over the right field fence he sent it. A walkoff three-run shot ended this back-and-forth game. Final score: Whale 12, 66ers 9. The reporters confronted him after the game and Lukas’ quote went along the lines of “Looks like I already peaked.” Great first game of the TriState 2022 season!
Amenia Monarchs 3 Thunder Ducks 1 (10 innings)
Monarchs would come away with a 3-1 victory over Valley Thunder on a hot Sunday afternoon. Mike Cipriano started for the Monarchs and went 7 innings giving up 1 earned run on 8 hits while striking out 5. Colby Dunlop would pick up the win for the Monarchs throwing the last 3 innings striking out 5 while giving up just 2 hits. Mackenzie Dunlop led the offense for the Monarchs going 3-4 at the plate. Tyler Smith and Keyton Terrall each had a RBI with Terrall going 1-4 and Smith 2-5. Nick Reilly made a great diving catch at 3rd with no outs, and a runner on second in the bottom of the 9th that would have won the game for Valley. Colby Dunlop would strike out the next 3 batters stranding the runner at 3rd sending the game to the 10th. Top 10 Tyler Smith knocked in the 2nd run for the Monarchs and a 3rd would be added on a throwing miscue. Valley Thunder was led offensively by Ronnie St. Dennis, Zach Royka, and John Griffin whom all had 2 hits apiece. Hats off to both Andrew Thrasher and Zach Royka for catching 10 innings in the heat, and to the umpiring crew who battled the heat, and did an outstanding job!
Blasius Chevrolet 2 Canton Crushers 1
Opening day between Blasius and Canton was a 2-1 pitchers duel the featured examples of the modern game of baseball. The story of was strikeouts, and homers. Blasius pitchers Brooks Belter (1-0) and Dan Heden filled the score book with K’s tallying 19 on the day. The power was supplied by Connor Goggin and Fraz Kader who both hit solo shots to stake Blasius to a 2-0 lead. Canton would get one back in the 8th but Heden would lock down the 9th for his first save of the season. Blasius is back in action for the home opener at the Hotch on Thursday 5:45 pm when they taken on the Burlington hunters. Canton travels to Wolcott.
Bethlehem Plowboys 19 Brass City Vipers 4
Plowboys win 19-4 George Bielizna with a rod in his leg after fracturing his femur in November threw 3 innings struck out 3 allowing 2 hits and 1 run, the plow bats were hot as Ian Schmidt went 3-4 with a solo homer and a 2 rbi double while Ryan Reynolds started off the plow bats with a 3 run homer in the bottom of the first for his only hit on the day. The Plow emptied the bench getting all 40 guys in. Joe Fainer, Joe Rupe, Ryan Bethin, Isaiah Johnson, and Jon Wilson all reached base twice and scored a run, Joevanni Torres had an rbi double in the first and Joe Kwak reached base 3 times for the Vipers. Dan Keckler came into close the game out in the 6th and 7th striking out 5 of the 6 batters he faced after not touching a baseball for 5 years! Bethlehem takes on the Southington 66ers next.
Tri-Town Trojans 4 Wolcott Scrappers 3
Walk off hit by Coleby Bunnell led the Trojans past the Wolcott scrappers. Connor Gannon came in and threw 5 1/3 for Trojans to get the win. Willy Yahn led the offense for Trojans going 2-3 with 2 Rbis and scoring the final run. Steve Urbansky had quite the day at the plate for Wolcott, going 4-4 adding 2 stolen bases.
Burlington Hunters 10 Naugatuck Nightmare 4
Opening day at Lewis Mills High School, the Hunters beat the Naugatuck Nightmare 10-4. It was Tyler Day for the Hunters on the mound. Tyler Mandeville got the start and threw a strong 5 innings, striking out 8, giving up only 3 hits, and surrounding just 1 earned run. Local rapper and Harley Davidson owner Tyler Doyle tossed 2 innings and picked up the win in relief. Ty Morin closed out the game throwing a perfect 2 innings. The game was close through the first 6 innings thanks to a strong offensive performance from Nightmare shortstop Brandon Spadolino (2/5, 2b, 1R, 2RBI) and a strong outing on the mound from Mark Stauss ( 4 innings, 2 earned runs, 3K).
The Hunters were led offensively by Jason Pelletier going 3 for 5 driving in 2 runs… Yes you read that correctly, Jason Pelletier, the 20 year Tri-State vet, not only got a hit, but 3 of them, we couldn’t believe it either. Some say he was inspired by injured Hunter, Ryan Raponey, who crutched his way to the bench to show his support. Joining Pelletier and collecting 3 hits were Andrew Bunger (3/4, 2R, 2RBI), Steve Caruso (3/5, 3B, 3R), and Justin Campbell (3/5, 2B, 4RBI). Other highlights included Joe Cardaropoli not making any errors in a game for the first time in 2 years and George Zaruba intimidating the opponent with his new fu manchu look.