Articles

Plowboys, Scrappers, Kraken, Hunters advance

Burlington Edges Waterbury to advance to Semi-Finals

 

Burlington Hunters 9   Waterbury Mountain Boys 8

The Burlington Hunters defeated the Waterbury Mountain Boys 9-8 in a wild back and forth game to win the series and advance to the Semi-Finals.  The Hunters got the scoring started in the bottom of the first where they would plate 4 runs.  Chad Lavelle scored on a Justin McCulloch fielder’s choice and then Josue “Sway” Lopez with his jersey falling off swatted a long 3 run home run.  The Mountain Boys would chip away in the top of the 3rd and 4th thanks to sac flies from Justin DiGiovanna and Izaiah Walker.  In the bottom of the 5th Sean O’Donnell, always hustling, would score from second on a Chad Lavelle sac fly to make it a 5-2 game.  

In the top of the 6th the wheels fell off for the Hunters and the Mountain Boys plated 6 runs to take an 8-5 lead with base hits from Justin DiGiovanna, Colby Linnell, and a Jack Drewry double.   However, in the bottom of the 6th the Hunters would immediately respond with 3 runs of their own including a clutch 2 out RBI single by Ty Morin that brought in the tying run.  In the bottom of the 7th Chad Lavelle  doubled and stole third.  Andrew Bunger then came up and delivered the go-ahead RBI single to give the Hunters the lead, 9-8.  The Hunters turned the ball over to Derek Duffy who only on two days rest after throwing a complete game Saturday was able to record the final 9 outs, including 7 strikeouts, to secure the victory for the Hunters.  The Hunters move on to face the Candlewood Kraken with game 1 scheduled for this Friday 7pm at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.

Game Highlights: Tim Krol only on one day of rest somehow managed to pitch 5 innings; Sway may be dead after catching three 9 inning games in a row; Andrew Bunger, shocker, if extremely slow and got hosed going for third; and finally Zack Rinkavage missed the entire series thanks to a coaching trip in Virginia and may have a severe case of swimmer’s ear, team doctors are monitoring the situation. 

 

Sunday August 2

Candlewood Kraken 7   Winsted Whalers 2

Connor Corcoran Leads Candlewood Kraken Past Winsted Whalers as Corcoran was dominant on the mound, as he rang up 12 strikeouts in Candlewood Kraken’s 7-2 victory over Winsted Whalers. Corcoran gave up one hit and zero runs over seven and one-third innings while walking three. Candlewood Kraken got on the board in the second inning after Zach Prahach singled, scoring one run. Candlewood Kraken added one run in the third. Nick Lobuono singled. He went 3-for-5 on the day. Spencer Barnett and Braydon Stellato each collected multiple hits for Candlewood.

Candlewood awaits the winner of Burlington/Waterbury.

Wolcott Scrappers 7  Tri-Town Trojans 5

The Scrap completed the sweep over Tri-Town on Sunday, winning 7-5 in Litchfield. Joe Ferrucci got the start for the Scrap, and toughed out 6 strong after giving up 3 in the first(his yeti rambler has seen better days) He finished with K number 7 to get out of a jam in the 6th. Wolcott took the lead in the third with a 5 spot, headlined by Ben Bianchi’s single with the bases loaded that scored 3. He got himself thrown out at second by a mile, making it two days in a row getting hosed after a big knock. Sliding mitts are more important than not getting picked off. The Scrap got insurance in the 5th and the 9th, and got out of some big jams to keep the potent Tri-Town offense at bay. Nick Sconz did his best to throw the game on a ground ball to second, bobbling it and spiking one at Ferrucci, who made an incredible scoop to save 2 runs.  Joe Sconz ended the game with a spectacular diving catch in right leaving Mr. Yahn on deck.
Nick Sconz and Carson Lentini (2B) led the Scrap with 2 hits. Alex James had 2 RBIs and got drilled 3 times. The whole lineup had a hit besides Josh Dunne, at least he threw a guy out at third (thanks Cart). Dan Livingston threw a complete game for the Trojans, doing his best Nolan Ryan impression. Jon McNeils and Coleby Bunnell had doubles for Tri-Town, and Cooper Johnson reached bases 4 times.
The Wolcott Scrappers will face the Bethlehem Plowboys in the Semi-Finals beginning Friday evening August 7.

Waterbury Mountain Boys 4  Burlington Hunters 3

Series tied 1-1; Game three will be played Monday 7pm at Fuessenich Park.

Bethlehem Plowboys 11   CT Sliders 0

Plowboys With Great Pitching Defeat CT Sliders 11-0 on Sunday at Municipal Stadium as three pitchers combined to throw a shutout. Blaise Russo, Matt Sibilia, and Sawyer Gravel each pitched for Plowboys in the game. Jesse Swartout collected three hits in four at bats in the win. Swartout singled in the second inning, singled in the fourth inning, and singled in the eighth inning. A walk by Kyle Daddona put Plowboys on the board in the top of the second. Plowboys scored five runs on four hits in the top of the sixth inning. Joe Rupe drew a walk, scoring one run, Nate Cormier singled, scoring two runs, and Ryan Ponte doubled, scoring two runs.

Gravel earned the win for Plowboys. The right-handed pitcher surrendered one hit and zero runs over five and two-thirds innings, striking out eight and walking three. Ryan  Glover took the loss for CT Sliders. Russo and Sibilia each threw scoreless innings for Plowboys in relief. Plowboys piled up 15 hits in the game. Ponte and Cormier each drove in two runs for Plowboys. Rupe, Jon Wilson, and Jarrett Michaels each collected multiple hits for Plowboys. Plowboys had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating 11 walks for the game. Daddona, Rupe, Ponte, and Chase Belisle led the team with two bases on balls each. Swartout and Michaels each stole multiple bases for Plowboys. Plowboys stole six bases in the game.

Pat Raymond and Ben Richardson each collected one hit for CT Sliders. CT Sliders turned one double play in the game.

The Plow takes on the always Scrappy Wolcott Scrappers next weekend in the semifinals!