Game 1

copyright Kevin Roberts Rep-American 8/16/24

TORRINGTON – It’s not fun facing veteran Tri-Town ace Miles Scribner when he’s on his game.

It’s even less fun doing it when the Trojans give their right-hander a quick lead to work with.

Tri-Town scored four runs in the top of the first inning and didn’t look back in a 10-1 win over the Bethlehem Plowboys in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night at Fuessenich Park in Torrington.

Game 2 is today at 1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury. Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., also at Municipal.

Tri-Town scored its four runs in the first on a Mike Fabiaschi RBI double, a Danny McCarty RBI groundout, a Coleby Bunnell RBI single and an error off a ball hit by Jon McNelis. The Trojans scored two runs in the third on a throwing error, then added four more in the sixth, two on bases loaded walks and two more on sacrifice flies off the bat of Willy Yahn and Owen Hibbard. Jarrett Michaels hit a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to break up Scribner’s shutout. Scribner went the distance and gave up just four hits. He struck out eight and walked none.

Bethlehem had some baserunners in the first two innings, but couldn’t score against Scribner. Ty Boisvert started for Bethlehem and took the loss.

The 14th class was inducted into the Hall of Fame before the game. The class members are: Paul Novakowski, Gary Novakowski, Steve Carosella Sr., Steve Carosella Jr., Jay Harlamon, Ryan Soucy, Joe Deming and Nick Doyle.

Tri-Town races out to early lead to dump Plowboys in Game 1

copyright Gerry DeSimas Collinsville Press 8/17/24

Casey McDonald, left, congratulates Colby Bunnell after scoring a run Friday night in game one of the Tri-State League championship series at Fuessenich Park.

TORRINGTON, August 16, 2024 – Since 2018, the Tri-Town Trojans baseball team has made a habit of the fast start in the Tri-State League championship series. The Trojans have won four of the last five Tri-State League championships since 2018 and they won the opening game of each championship series they’ve won. On Friday night, Tri-Town took a step toward becoming the first team since 1995 to win four consecutive league championships with a dominating 10-1 win over Bethlehem at Fuessenich Park. Tri-Town (23-3) can clinch the best-of-three championship series with a victory on Saturday at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury. Game two begins at 1 p.m. Game three, if necessary, will be Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.

Bethlehem lost to Tri-Town for the past two years in the finals. The Plowboys fell in three games a year ago and were swept in 2022. This summer, Bethlehem (25-2) rolled to the best record in the league with a pair of victories over Tri-Town. But Tri-Town didn’t let the Plowboys get a foot in the door, racing out to a 4-0 lead after one inning and a 6-0 lead after three innings. Tri-Town had three hits, including a double in the first inning, The Trojans added a pair of unearned runs in the third inning to take a 6-0 lead. That was more than enough for Tri-Town veteran hurler Miles Scribner, who pitched a complete game victory. Scribner went nine innings, scattered six hits and struck out eight. He didn’t allow a walk.

“It was huge to score four runs in the first inning,” Tri-Town coach Dan McCarty said. “I told my players this year that if we put the ball into play, things will happen and that’s what we did. We may not have hit very well but if we put the bat on the ball, things will happen in this league. “Scribner has been my No. 1 guy for 15 years,” McCarty said. “I had total trust in him and he did his thing.” Bethlehem committed four errors and walked eight Tri-Town hitters. The nine-run loss was the most lopsided game one win in the finals since the Plowboys beat Winsted in 2001 by 17 runs, 19-2. Colby Bunnell was the big hitter in the game, going 3-for-4 with a double for Tri-Town.

Bethlehem’s Ty Boisvert pitched four innings and gave up five hits Friday night in game one.

Tri-Town’s Willie Yahn led off the game with a single off Bethlehem starter Ty Boisvert and moved to second when Owen Hubbard walked. Yahn scored on Mike Fabiaschi’s double to center field for a 1-0 lead. Hubbard scored on a ground ball out for a 2-0 lead. Fabiaschi scored on Bunnell’s RBI single and Bunnell made it 4-0 by scoring on a throwing error on a ground ball off the bat of Jon McNelis. In the third inning, McCarty singled and moved to third on Bunnell’s double. Both scored on another throwing error on a ground ball from McNelis for a 6-0 lead. Only one Bethlehem hitter got as far as third base in the first eight innings. The Plowboys’ Jarrett Michaels spoiled the shutout bid for Scribner with a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning.

The last Tri-State League team to win four consecutive championships was the Torrington Rebels, who won four straight from 1992 through 1995. Tri-Town is looking for their fourth consecutive title and their sixth in team history. Bethlehem is looking for their seventh Tri-State championship and first since 2005.

 

Game 2

Copyright Gerry DeSimas Collinsville Press 8/17/24

Austin Brown struck out 10 and allowed three hits to lead Bethlehem to a 2-1 win over Tri-Town on Saturday at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury. More game photos

WATERBURY, August 17, 2024 – It had been years since Bethlehem pitcher Austin Brown pitched in a championship situation.

You probably have to go back to Brown’s high school days at Holy Cross in Waterbury. As a senior in 2019, he helped the Crusaders advance to the Naugatuck Valley League championship and get as far as the Class S semifinals.

His collegiate debut with Western New England University lasted just a few weeks before the season was shut down to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Life changed and Brown didn’t return to Western New England, remaining in the greater Waterbury area where he grew up. Today, he is an accountant with the town of Naugatuck.

He is also one win away from a Tri-State League championship with his new team, the Bethlehem Plowboys.

Brown threw a complete game Saturday in game two of the Tri-State League’s championship series as the Plowboys edged three-time defending league champion Tri-Town Trojans, 2-1, to force a decisive game three on Sunday.

Brown, who joined the Plowboys in June, had never thrown a nine-inning complete game. He allowed three hits, struck out 10 and walked just one.

Bethlehem (26-2) erased the sting of Friday night’s 10-1 loss to the Trojans that saw the Plowboys commit four errors and walk eight batters.

“We had to erase yesterday and come out ready to play today,” Bethlehem manager Rich Revere said. “We did the job. We made the plays. Austin pitched how we needed today. Austin bulldogged it. He was our guy. We knew he would lead us out here and he got it done.”

Brown, who was talked into joining the team by some of his friends on the Plowboys, approached the elimination game the way he did in high school – with focus and precision.

“It doesn’t matter who is in the box,” Brown said. “Attack the zone. Be efficient. Throw a lot of strikes and get the (Plowboys) back in here to swing their bats.”

Brown also got the defensive play that helped make the Plowboys the No. 1 seed after going 21-1 in the regular season.

Bethlehem second baseman Joe Rupe waits for the ball as Tri-Town’s Willy Yahn tries to steal second base in Saturday’s Tri-State League championship series game in Waterbury. Yahn was out on the play. More game photos

Twice, Plowboys catcher Jesse Swartout threw out Tri-Town leadoff hitter Willy Yahn, who was trying to steal a base. In the second case, it was the seventh inning and Yahn was on second base after hitting a one-out double that drove in teammate Matt Troy to cut the Bethlehem lead to 2-1.

Swartout had the ball waiting at third base and Yahn slid into the tag from third baseman Brett Davino. A strikeout ended the inning and the Tri-Town threat.

“The defense made an outstanding turn, 180 (degrees) from last night,” Revere said.

Swartout also threw out Yahn in the fourth inning. “Two great throws by Jesse,” Tri-Town manager Danny McCarty said. “Jesse threw two balls that were one-hoppers. The kid didn’t have to move his glove. If that ball is any lower or any higher, they are both stolen bases. It’s just baseball coming down to inches.”

Bethlehem took a 2-0 lead in the second inning off starting pitcher Bobby Chatfield, who also went nine innings.

Davino reached on a fielder’s choice and moved to second on a single from Isaiah Johnson. Ian Schmidt’s single drove in Davino from second base while Johnson moving to third base.

The Plowboys tried a double steal with Schmidt being thrown out at second base but Johnson scoring from third base for a 2-0 lead.

“A team like this (Tri-Town), you have to jump on them early,” Revere said. “When we play with a lead, you play with confidence and we played very confident today. Everything in the field was clean We knew it would take three games to win the series so we wanted to come out and play hard and make the plays.”

Tri-Town (23-4) threatened in the seventh. Matt Troy ripped a one-out triple down the first base line and scored on Yahn’s double. But Yahn getting thrown out at third and a strikeout ended the threat.

“You can’t score one run in a championship and expect to win,” McCarty said. ”It will come down to the offensive side of the ball and hopefully we can do it tomorrow.”

Chatfield did his job on the mound for the Trojans, allowing four hits, striking out five and walking just one. Yahn made three consecutive putouts in the fifth inning to retire the side, including a diving catch of a sinking line drive off the bat of Bethlehem’s Jarett Michaels.

Game three is at 1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.

Tri-Town is scheduled to start Connor Gannon, who won game three last year in the finals against the Plowboys.

“We’ve been here before,” McCarty said. “That is why there is three games. We’ll have a chance to do it again.”

Tri-Town won game three to bring home championships in 2023 over the Plowboys, in 2021 (Terryville Black Sox), 2018 (Terryville) and 2013 (Naugatuck Dogs).

Bethlehem is looking to win their first league title since 2005. The last team to win game two and three to capture the championship was the Litchfield Cowboys in 2012.

“We’re excited for game three,” Revere said. “(Pitcher) Kyle Banche will be ready to go tomorrow. We’re going to come to play baseball and win a championship. Same goal all year. Win the championship.”

Bethlehem has won six previous Tri-State League titles while Tri-Town has won five championships. Tri-Town is looking to be the first team since the Torrington Rebels (1992-95) to win four consecutive league championships.

 Bethlehem forces Game 3 in Tri-State World Series

Copyright Kevin Roberts Rep-American 8/17/24

WATERBURY – Bethlehem Plowboys right-handed pitcher Austin Brown called Friday night’s blowout loss in the first game of the Tri-State World Series arguably the worst his team has played all year.

Brown had a chance to help Bethlehem do better in his own backyard Saturday in Game 2, and the former Holy Cross High standout delivered. Brown tossed a complete game in a 2-1 Plowboys victory over the Tri-Town Trojans that earned his team another chance at a championship. Game 3 is scheduled for today at 1 p.m. at Municipal.

“I knew this was do-or-die,” Brown said. “We did it, and now we’ve got a Game 3.”

Brown, working with a fastball, curveball and slider, struck out 10 and walked just one.

“We had to erase (Friday) and had to come out ready to play (Saturday),” Bethlehem manager Rich Revere said. “We did the job. We made the plays. Austin pitched how we needed him to today. Austin bulldogged it; he was our guy. We knew he was going to lead us out here, and he got the job done.”

Two of the three Tri-Town hits were back-to-back in the bottom of the seventh inning. Matt Troy connected for a one-out triple, then Willy Yahn drove him in with a double to cut the Trojans’ deficit to 2-1. Tri-Town didn’t get closer because of Brown and his weapon behind the plate, catcher Jesse Swartout’s right arm. For the second time in the game, Swartout threw out Yahn on the basepaths.

Brown struck out Owen Hibbard to end the inning, then retired the last six hitters he faced to close out the game.

“Those were two great throws by Jesse,” Tri-Town player/manager Danny McCarty said. “Two balls that were one-hoppers; (fielder) didn’t have to move his glove.”

Swartout also threw out Yahn trying to steal second base in the fourth. Brown did his part when he picked Hibbard off first base following a single in the first inning.

Bethlehem’s offense struck first. The Plowboys scored two runs off an otherwise effective Bobby Chatfield (nine innings, two runs, four hits, five strikeouts, one walk, one hit batter) in the top of the second inning for a 2-0 lead.

“A team like this, you have to jump on them early,” Revere said. “When you get the lead, you play with confidence. We played very confidently.”

Brett Davino reached on a fielder’s choice with one out. Isaiah Johnson singled, then Ian Schmidt singled to drive home Davino. Johnson later scored from third when Tri-Town catcher Bryon Carr threw to second base to nab Schmidt. The two runs were enough for Brown, and that left McCarty looking for more from his offense.

“You can’t ask more from Bobby. (Miles Scribner) got the run support (in Friday’s 10-1 win) and Bobby didn’t,” McCarty said. “We just have to go back to the drawing board and do better (today).”

Bethlehem, Brown force a deciding game for Tri-State League title

copyright Rick Wilson Litchfield County Sports 8/17/24

WATERBURY – The Bethlehem Plowboys needed something big Saturday afternoon. Season-saving big. They got that and more. What Austin Brown gave them was spectacular.

Just 15 or so hours after Bethlehem absorbed a punishing 10-1 defeat at the hands of Tri-Town in the first game of the best-of-three Tri-State Baseball League championship series, Brown kept the season going with a dominant three-hit, 10 strikeout masterpiece theatre performance for a 2-1 win at Municipal Stadium.

The victory set up a winner-take-all matchup Sunday at 1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium. Tri-Town will be seeking its fourth straight league title while Bethlehem will be searching for its first crown since 2010.

But on this day the story started with and ended with Brown.

After allowing a first inning single to Owen Hibbard, Brown did not allow another hit until the seventh inning when Matt Troy tripled and scored on Willy Yahn’s double for Tri-Town’s only run. Unfazed, Brown proceeded to retire the side in order in the eighth and ninth innings.

“A lot of credit goes to my family for keeping me going out there,” Brown said. “I love being put in this position with the game on the line. I told Rich (manager Revere) that I don’t need an insurance run. Let’s get it now and I just kept attacking what was in the box.

“He never gave us anything to hit,” Tri-Town first baseman Coleby Bunnell said. “He hit his spots.”

Bunnell also never gave in when Tri-Town attempted to mount a late-inning rally.

“It was still business as usual after they scored their run,” Brown said, “You got to pound the zone and throw strikes.”

Tri-Town lost a chance in the seventh inning to do more damage with a baserunning decision. With one out and one run in, Yahn tried to steal third base and was gunned out for the second time in the game on a laser throw from catcher Jesse Swartout.

“(Yahn) thought he had a good jump and wanted to be in scoring position for a sacrifice fly, “Tri-Town manager Dan McCarty said.

Bethlehem did not have much success against hard-luck loser Bobby Chatfield who allowed just four hits while striking out five and hitting a batter with no walks. This was the game, however, where not much was just enough.

Chatfield conked Matt Mancini off the helmet to start the second inning. Mancini was erased on Bret Davino’s ground ball. Isaiah Johnson put runners on first and second base with a single to left field. Ian Schmidt followed with an RBI single to left field scoring Davino and moving Johnson to third for a 1-0 lead.

With runners on the corners Schmidt was thrown out trying to steal second base but Johnson scampered home on the play for a 2-0.

Chatfield allowed just two hits the rest of the way, but Brown was not interested in any kind of Tri-Town comeback.

“(Brown) threw strikes and he threw hard,” Bethlehem captain Greg Campbell said. “He’s a bulldog, plain and simple “

“You’ve got to tip your hat to (Bethlehem),” said Chatfield. “They did what they needed to do in the second inning and we couldn’t scratch up enough to win today.”

Campbell also said forgetting about Friday night’s debacle was easy enough.

“Short memory. We got too cute and tried to get guys in for their bat,” Campbell said. “Today we went with a lineup that worked all year for us.”

The championship game is a rematch of last year’s starting pitchers, Bethlehem’s Kyle Banche against Tri-Town’s Connor Gannon. Both teams are ready to go.

“We saw (Gannon) during the regular season and were able to put up some runs against him,” said Campbell. “When you play clean defense, the bats will come.”

“I think we’re ready for our offense to break through,” Tri-Town’s Coleby Bunnell said. “Our pitching will do the job, and I think we’ll get the job done.”

Just like you like it. The only sure thing is that a champion will be crowned late Sunday afternoon. Let the best team win.