2026 World Series: Burlington Hunters vs Wolcott Scrappers and Team Previews

World Series schedule

Friday August 14, 2026

07:00 PM – Fuessenich Park
Burlington Hunters vs. Wolcott Scrappers

 

Saturday August 15, 2026

02:00 PM – Municipal Stadium
Wolcott Scrappers vs. Burlington Hunters

 

Sunday August 16, 2026

02:00 PM – Municipal Stadium
Burlington Hunters vs. Wolcott Scrappers

 

Semi-Finals Scores:

Game 1: Burlington Hunters 9   Candlewood Kraken 0

Game 2: Burlington Hunters 9   Candlewood Kraken 0

Game 1: Wolcott Scrappers 8   Bethlehem Plowboys 4

Game 2: Bethlehem Plowboys 6   Wolcott Scrappers 2

Game 3: Wolcott Scrappers 9  Bethlehem Plowboys 3

 

Team Previews!!

Burlington Hunters (22-3)

The Burlington Hunters have advanced to the Tri-State World Series for the first time in the club’s history.  Coming off their best season with 22 wins, the Hunters look to finish the job facing off against the tough Wolcott Scrappers.  The Hunters this year were led by their pitching staff with a team ERA of 1.45.  Starters Anthony Izzo and Derek Duffy have set the tone all season, while Tim Krol, Ty Morin, Jake Rinkavage, Taylor Donofrio, and Dave Kerlejza have all pitched strong in relief.  

Offensively, the Hunters have received contributions from up and down the lineup.  The Hunters swatted a team record 19 home runs with a team average of .349 and a team OPS of .979.  Chad Lavelle, George Zaruba,  Justin McCulloch, and Josue “Sway” Lopez all put together strong years at the plate.  Andrew Bunger (believe it or not; has to be some kind of mistake)led the team in hits. Steve Caruso was right behind Bunger in the hit category.  The newest Hunter, Jacob Paschetto, put together a compelling year swatting a team high 5 home runs despite only playing in 13 of 25 games.  Second longest tenured Hunter, Ty Morin, may be the story of the year.  At 36 years old, Morin put together one of his best seasons collecting 20 hits. Morin also had some of the more clutch hits so far this post season including several tying/go-ahead knocks.  Sean O’Donnell also put together a sharp year at the plate while playing all-star caliber defense in center field.  MVP candidate Tim Krol had a productive year on the mound, but had an even more impressive season at the plate leading the Hunters in RBI with 31.  

Season Highlights: Jay Pelletier, who was with the club when they first organized back in 2004, is still here coaching the best 3rd base in the entire league; Chris Rossi, who landed on the IL early this year, wore many hats this season as head Groundskeeper along with team DJ, and probably spent close to $1000 in pizza after games; Despite countless softball games and a trip to Puerto Rico, Taylor Donofrio had a productive year on the mound and at the plate hitting .400 and won’t shut up about it; Zack Martin not only had a great year catching and hitting, but was also responsible for bringing half of the fans to every game; Team Mom Yvonne had several strong performances in the post game celebrations providing food for the team; Jeff Osak cannot wait for fall ball; Despite retiring several times, Tommaso Tollis always put on a show at the plate; and finally, the most impressive stat on the year – in 25 teams the Hunters somehow won 26 lots to secure a perfect record in post game celebrations including 9 cans landed. 

Wolcott Scrappers (18-7)

The Wolcott Scrappers, under the leadership of Rob “Sibrenner” Silas owner of Continental Scrap in Wolcott, have advanced to the Tri-State World Series for the first time since 2014 as an organization. This brand new version of ” The Scrap” started out in 2024 with a bunch friends deciding to play ball together and have reached the finals in their 3rd year.  The Scrappers look to finish the job facing off against an excellent team in the Burlington Hunters.  The team used a balanced attack and a multitude of good to great pitching performances in winning 18 games so far.
The pitching staff was led by Alec Ash, career high 48 innings pitched and Aiden Bisallion 56k’s in 40 innings. Big contributions on the bump also came from Joe Ferrucci, Ben Bianchi, AJ Martinez, Zac Lawlor, Nate Ehmer, Drew Rocca, David Cardinale and anointed closer Ethan Stepputtis. Nick D got free from Western Hills to throw 2/3 of an inning.
Wolcott’s balanced lineup was led by the 1, 2 punch at the top of the order in Nick Sconziano and Carson Lentini. Other guys who had strong seasons at the plate were Alex James, Dillon Fernandes, Martinez and Rocca along with contributions and clutch performances from Devin Fuegen, Joe Sconziano, Josh and Joe Dunne, Ryan Ciampi, Aiden Kane, Jay Main,  Luke Colfer, Justin Cardinale (baserunner/gamechanger extraordinaire) Bianchi, D. Cardinale and Stepputtis. One game wonders included: Jon Diogostine(retired at age 20), Nick Kleinschmidt(zero good knees) and Nate Yachtis(tough commute).

Special thanks to the following:

GM Hunter McWeeney, Zeb Garcia and Mikey Mac for their outstanding work as base coaches.

After four straight World Series matchups between the Bethlehem Plowboys and Tri-Towns, two different teams will battle for the title beginning Friday at 7 p.m. at Fuessenich Park in Torrington.

The top-seeded Burlington Hunters (22-3) and third-seeded Wolcott Scrappers (18-7) will meet in the best-of-three championship series. Game 2 will be played Saturday at 2 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury, with Game 3, if necessary, set for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the same location.

Burlington outlasted the Waterbury Mountain Boys in a first-round series that went the full three games, then swept the Candlewood Kraken in two games in the semifinals. The Hunters are making the first World Series appearance in team history.

Wolcott, meanwhile, eliminated both teams that had represented the league in each of the past four World Series. The Scrappers swept sixth-seeded Tri-Towns in two games before needing all three to knock off the defending champion and second-seeded Plowboys.

It marks Wolcott’s first championship appearance since 2014, its only other trip to the World Series, when the Scrappers defeated the Trojans to win their lone league title.

Burlington put together the best regular season in team history, hitting 19 home runs while posting a .349 team batting average and a .979 OPS.

Player/manager Andrew Bunger led the Hunters in hits, with Steve Caruso right behind him. Chad Lavelle, George Zaruba, Justin McCulloch and Josue Lopez also turned in strong offensive seasons.

Newcomer Jacob Paschetto led the team with five home runs, while potential Cy Young candidate Tim Krol also made an impact at the plate, driving in a team-best 31 runs. Center fielder Sean O’Donnell contributed both offensively and defensively.

Wolcott restarted in 2024 with a group of friends from Wolcott High School who wanted to continue playing together. Now, in their third season, the Scrappers have reached the World Series.

Alec Ash has anchored the pitching staff with 48 innings, while Aiden Bisaillon has thrown 40 innings and recorded 56 strikeouts. Joe Ferrucci, Ben Bianchi, AJ Martinez, Zac Lawlor, Nate Ehmer, Drew Rocca, David Cardinale and Ethan Stepputtis have also contributed on the mound.

Nick Sconziano and Carson Lentini have paced the offense from the top of the order, while Alex James, Dillon Fernandes, Martinez and Rocca have also been among Wolcott’s offensive standouts.

The Scrappers have received timely contributions at the plate from Devin Fuegen, Joe Sconziano, Josh Dunne, Joe Dunne, Ryan Ciampi, Aiden Kane, Jay Main, Luke Colfer, Bianchi, David Cardinale and Stepputtis.

Justin Cardinale has provided another weapon on the bases, emerging as Wolcott’s go-to pinch runner.

Now, after four years of the Plowboys and Tri-Towns battling for the championship, either Burlington or Wolcott will finish the weekend as the Tri-State Baseball League’s newest champion.