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Youth Baseball

Sox cop top seed in SHJBL playoff

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The Duffy’s Tavern Red Sox clinched the number-one seed beating the Augliera Movers Pirates, 14-13, in 7 innings.  CJ Stratton had the game winning hit with two RBI in the top of the seventh.  Sean Studley and Zach Goetze combined for seven hits, seven RBI, and five runs.  Paul Lynch and Andrew Grillo had two hits apiece for the Pirates.

The Gunning Law Firm Mets defeated the Leslie Jewelers Dodgers, 9-8.  Ray Listorti and Jonathan Jackson had key hits for the Mets.  Michael Luzietti scored the winning run.  Lamont Belle, Mike Luth, and Rui Dasilva had the Dodgers hits.

Devin Bernier and Matt Cavallaro combined on a four-hitter as the Pirates beat the Dodgers, 4-3.  Matt Cavallaro had a home run for the Pirates.  Jorge Vargas and Chase Golde had the Dodgers hits.

Zach Goetze pitched a complete game two-hitter, and had three hits with five RBI to lead the Red Sox to an 8-1 win over the Mets.  Bobby Severino had two hits and three RBI, and Tyler Bernardi scored two runs.  Maurizio Urriola had a home run, and Tommy Vets had a double for the Mets.

Marcus Vitolo pitched a five-hitter with 11 strikeouts as the Pirates defeated the Mets, 14-6.  Bank Tighe had three hits, Paul Lynch scored three runs, and Alex Werle starred on defense for the Pirates.  Brian Oliver had a home run for the Mets.

Cubs win WHLL title over Brewers

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The Full Circle Cubs show off their first-place trophies after capturing the West Haven Little League championship, 9-4 over the Brewers.

The Full Circle Cubs won the 2019 West Haven Little League championship this week, defeating the Brewers, 9-4, in the title game. The championship was the second in a row for the Cubs. 

In the championship game, the Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning with singles by Evan Jones and Jeremiah Kavanah. The Cubs added three more runs on in the third with Hudson Axelrod and Kavanah lacing singles. Axelrod was solid on the mound, keeping the Brewers scoreless until the 4th. 

The Brewers scored two runs when Thomas Rolfe tripled, followed by the Brewers taking advantage of a pair of miscues by the Cubs to get within 5-2. In the top of the fifth, the Brewers started to rally. They got within 5-3 with one out and runners on the corners, but Kavanah came on to pitch and induced a double play turned by Jones. 

The Cubs then tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Axelrod walked, Jones tripled, Connor Hume and Christian Rivera-Bavaro singled to make it 9-3. Cameron Cruz led off the top of the sixth with a double for the Brewers, and Logan Truncone and Owen Fletcher singled, loading the bases with one out and the score 9-4. Kavanah then took a come backer to the mound, tossed to Jones at second, who then fired to Axelrod at first to end the game. 

The Cubs opened the postseason with an 11-1 victory over the White Sox. Kavanah earned the win and had two hits. Aydan Vizcaya and Lucas Forgette had hits for the White Sox. 

After the Brewers beat the A’s in a tight game to advance to the winner’s bracket final, the Cubs beat the Brewers, 3-2, to advance to the championship game. Jones and Cruz battled each other on the mound for their respective teams. Cruz struck out 10 in five innings, while Jones struck out 13 in six innings. Kavanah added two hits for the Cubs. Rolfe and Cruz lead the Brewers with two hits apiece

The A’s beat the White Sox in the losers’ bracket final to again play the Brewers. In a nine inning game, which took more than three hours, Brady Price singled home the winning run to send the Brewers to the championship game.

Mets club Pirates; Sox edge out Dodgers in SHJBL

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Maurizio Urriola had a home run and a pair of triples with seven RBI as the Gunning Law Firm Mets defeated the Augliera Movers Pirates, 12-4.  Ryan Malone had two hits including a double and scored three runs, and Michael Anderson had two hits for the Mets.  Marcus Vitolo and Bank Tighe had 2 hits a piece for the Pirates.

The Duffy’s Tavern Red Sox beat the Leslie Jewelers Dodgers, 6-5.

The Mets, behind the strong relief pitching of Matt Pasacreta who had eight strike outs in three innings, defeat the Dodgers, 8-3.  Tommy Vets had two hits including a double, and Danny Potter had triple and three RBI for the Mets. Rui Dasilva had a pair of doubles, and Mike Luth had a key hit and scored two runs for the Dodgers.

The All-Star game will be played on June 29 at the West Haven Sports Complex with softball starting at 3 p.m., followed by the homerun derby, the awarding of scholarships, and the senior game.

Pirates top Mets in SHJBL action

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The Augliera Movers Pirates defeated the Gunning Law Firm Mets, 14-2.  Mark Lynch, Matt Cavallaro, and Devin O’Brien had two hits; and Nate Payne had the go-ahead RBI for the Pirates.  Ryan Malone and Maurizio Urriola had hits for the Mets.

Danny Potter pitched a two-hitter as the Mets beat the Leslie Jewelers Dodgers, 8-2.  Brian Oliver and Michael Anderson had two hits apiece, and Michael Luzietti had a key hit for the Mets.  Rui Dasilva and Jorge Vargas had the Dodgers hits.

Rain shortens week; 65th readied

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In a rain-shortened week in Shore Haven Junior Baseball, the Leslie Jewelers Dodgers defeated the Gunning Law Firm Mets, 8-6 as Colin Fennell and Mike Luth combined on a three-hitter with 14 strikeouts.  Rui Dasilva had two hits and three RBI for the Dodgers.  Jonathan Jackson and Ryan Malone had the hits for the Mets.

The Duffy’s Tavern Red Sox beat the Augliera Movers Pirates, 15-10, to remain in 1st place.

Shore Haven Jr Baseball will be celebrating its 65th anniversary on June 7 at Randall’s.  Everyone is welcome to come, especially all former players and coaches. The charge is $10,  and includes food plus one well drink, domestic draft beer, or a glass of wine.  Proceeds go to support the Shore Haven Junior Baseball Scholarship fund.  For tickets, call Charlie at (203) 934-9740 or Rich at (203) 988-1066.


Shore Haven opens

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In the opening week of the 55th season of Shore Haven Junior Baseball, the Leslie’s Jewelers Dodgers defeated the Gunning Law Firm Mets, 8-6.  Rui Dasilva had a triple, Michael Luth and Jack Aloi scored two runs for the Dodgers.  Jonathan Jackson and Danny Potter had inside-the-park homeruns. Tommy Vets had a double and triple for the Mets.

The Augliera Movers Pirates beat the Dodgers, 5-2, behind the pitching of Matt Cavallaro, Mark Lynch and Marcus Vitolo who combined on a 5-hitter.  Devin Bernier had a triple and two RBI for the Pirates.

The Duffy’s Tavern Red Sox defeated the Mets, 7-0.  Ethan Kelly was the winning pitcher.  Zach Goetze had a double and triple, and Sean Studley scored 3 runs for the Red Sox.  Brian Oliver and Michael Anderson had the hits for the Mets.


SHJBL offers scholarships for 2019 local graduates

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The Shore Haven Junior Baseball League will be accepting scholarship applications for current high school seniors pursing further education.

The league will be awarding three scholarships in the amounts of $250 in honor of Sal Arminio, Dave Terese, Sr., and Mario J.Argentino, plus the Joseph Morrell, Sr., Scholarship.

All applicants must have participated in the league for two years for the first three scholarships.

Applications must be returned by May 15 to: Charles Gunning, 125 Central Ave., West Haven, 06516.

For information can be obtained from area guidance offices or by calling (203) 934-9740.

WHLL ‘Stars make run, get ousted

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Walk-off double denies comeback

Will Panza makes play against Orange in the 12-U regional. The Westies mounted a furious comeback from a 6-0 deficit, but lost to the Orange squad, 9-8 on a walk-off double.

The West Haven Little League 12-U All Star team saw its season come to a heartbreaking end last week with a 9-8 loss to Orange in the District 4 quarterfinals in Orange.

Despite an incredible comeback which saw the Westies fight back from a 6-0 deficit and ride the relief pitching of Chase Supan, the Westies were unable to close the deal.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, the Westies were within one strike of advancing several times, but each time, Orange battled and hung on, until a two-out, two-run walk-off double ended West Haven’s dreams of advancing.

Supan may have been the story of the game for West Haven as he entered in the second inning after Orange had batted around and scored six times. Supan recorded a strikeout to end the frame, then went on to allow just two baserunners through the fifth inning, and finished with six strikeouts.

Hudson Axelrod pitched for the 10-U squad, which had success in its tournament run until meeting North Haven’s Max Sinoway team. The Westies lost a heart-breaker, 8-7.

Supan’s effort allowed the Westies to battle back as they got right back in the game with five runs in the third, evened the contest in the fifth, and took a two-run lead in the sixth.

In the third, Haygen Axelrod and Mike Madera opened with singles and both advanced on a grounder to second by Evan Jones. Will Panza followed with a single to score Jones and Madera, K.J. Harp walked, and Supan hit a two-out double to plate Panza and Harp. When Supan scored later in the inning on an error on a ball hit by Gabe Santarcangelo, West Haven was within one run.

The Westies had a golden opportunity to even the game in the fourth inning when Madera, Jones and Panza reached to load the bases with one out. Orange escaped without any damage, but was not as fortunate in the fifth as Jesse Buonocore ripped a long two-out homer to left to even the game at six.

With all the momentum on their side, the Westies took an 8-6 lead in the top of the sixth. Madera led off with a single to left, moved to second on a sacrifice by Jones, and scored on a double by Panza. With two outs, Ray Gilbert and Supan singled to score Panza for a two-run lead.

After Anthony Constantinople walked to load the bases, West Haven looked as if it would build on the lead, but Buonocore’s long fly ball to right was tracked down for the final out of the inning.

Panza led the Westies with four hits and two runs scored, while Madera and Jones each added a pair of hits and two runs scored. Supan added a pair of hits and scored once, while Axelrod singled, walked and scored.

10-U lose to Sinoway

The West Haven Little League 10-U All Star team surprised a lot of teams in its tournament this past week. The team was led by the arms of Hudson Axelrod and Connor Hume, before losing a heartbreaking, 8-7 game to a Max Sinoway team, who eventually played in the district championship game.

Timely hitting by Jeremiah Kavanah and Matt Suchy, mixed with solid defense from Colin Murray and Cam Lipford led West Haven into the cross-over tournament, before eventually getting eliminated via walk-off by a tough Max Sinoway team, which nearly went all the way.

 

12-U All-Stars advance, get ousted

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West Haven’s Chase Supan gets ready for a delivery

The West Haven 12-U All-Stars advanced to the playoff portion in tournament play this week. The Westies split their first two games of the week to secure a spot in the playoff portion of the tournament.

The Westies opened the week with a 5-0 victory over Branford at Morse Park last Monday evening. Anthony Constantinople was in control from start to finish on the hill, limiting Branford’s offensive attack. KJ Harp closed the door in the last inning of a solid pitching performance.

Mike Madera led the offensive attack with four hits, while Will Panza, Harp, Constantinople, and Gabe Santarcangelo each reached base twice. Panza and Harp each walked and singled, Constantinople doubled and reached on an error, and Santarcangelo singled twice.

West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the third as Santarcangelo and Madera opened the inning with singles, and both scored on a double by Evan Jones. Jones moved to third on a grounder by Panza, and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Harp.

The Westies increased the lead to 5-0 with two more runs in the fifth. Panza opened the inning with a single and Harp followed with a walk. With one run in, Constantinople’s double extended the margin to five runs.

The Westies fell to 2-2 after falling to Milford 3-0 Thursday evening in Milford. Jesse Buonocore pitched well in the loss.

After giving up two runs in the first and another in the second, Buonocore and Harp, who relieved in the fifth, allowed just two baserunners over the next three innings. West Haven had its opportunities to get back in the game, but could not get the timely hit in the last four innings.

The Westies had a chance to get back in the game in the third as Haygen Axelrod was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Madera followed with a one-out walk. Panza singled with two outs, but a perfect throw nailed Axelrod at the plate to end the frame.

Harp and Ray Gilbert reached base to open the fourth, but went no further, before Madera singled with one out in the fifth and Panza drew a two-out walk. Milford again escaped without any damage, getting a hard hit grounder to short to end the frame.

Gilbert led off the sixth with a double to left, but only got as far as third as the Westies fell by three runs.

Madera reached base three times, while Panza and Gilbert each reached twice in the loss.

The Westies closed round-robin play with a 9-8 loss against Annex. In a game which saw the Westies take an early three-run lead, then battle to even the game at four, West Haven rallied late, but fell just short. Jones, Panza, Harp and Gilbert led the Westies with two hits apiece.

Panza, Harp and Gilbert had run-scoring hits in the first inning for a 3-1 lead, before Jones singled and scored to even the game at four in the third.

After the Westies went quietly over the next two innings and were sloppy on defense, they entered the last inning trailing 9-4. A one-out walk by Chase Supan was followed by hits from Constantinople and Axelrod.

A fielder’s choice by Cam Cruz plated a run, before Madera knocked in another with a single. A single by Jones, and an error on a ball hit by Panza scored Madera and had two runners in scoring position, but the Westies fell just short.

 

Post 71 looking for turn-around

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West Haven’s Greg Berrington swipes a North Haven runner and stops a steal attempt in last week’s Junior Legion game at Noyes Field.

With games ticking off the clock, each become important for the Branford American Legion baseball team. Trailing Hamden by one game in the loss column in a battle for Zone II supremacy, Branford needs to take advantage of its opportunities.

Branford did that and more Thursday evening, turning West Haven miscues into runs, as Branford topped West Haven, 6-1, at Piurek Field in West Haven.

With the win, Branford improved to 9-2, trailing first-place Hamden (12-1), and leading both Orange and North Haven with each having a pair of losses as well.

“We know what we are facing going in,” Branford Kyle Heins said. “We go into every game knowing what we are supposed to do. We have kids who work hard and know what it takes. We have been a successful program. Everyone is looking forward to the Orange series. That is going to be a good series with the rivalry.”

While neither defense was particularly sharp, combining for five errors, the pitching of Branford’s Alphonse Suppa was enough to keep the Westies from putting up more than one run.

Suppa allowed just two hits, struck out six, walked one, and worked his way out of trouble early on to help Branford to its ninth win of the year.

“I was able to mix my pitches tonight,” Suppa said. “I mixed my fastball and curve. I mixed it up throughout the lineup. I turn to my defense because I know 99% of the time they are making the plays.”

With the game even at one, Branford took control of the contest with two runs in the third.

Nikko Liguori led off the inning with a single to left, Suppa drew a one-out walk, and Carson Mendoza reached on an error to score Liguori. With a pair of runners in scoring position, Zachary Vandale singled to left to score Suppa for a 3-1 advantage.

“It really helps that we have kids who are committed to playing the game,” Heins said. “We are an older team. The kids play hard and that is all I can ask. We have always been a winning program. Having the talent helps, but the kids know they have to play the right way.”

Branford increased the lead to 4-1 in the fifth when Mendoza launched a long homer to left with one out. Branford put a pair of runners on after the blast, but was unable to score.

The Westies had few opportunities in the contest, but could not capitalize. Trailing 1-0 in the second after Branford’s Stephen Galluba singled to score Robert Barbash, the Westies evened the game.

Mike Vitolo started the rally with a one-out double to center and scored on Stephen Byrd’s single to left. Suppa got out of further trouble with a double play ball to end the inning.

“Our pitching has been fine all year,” West Haven coach Fred Morgillo said. “The pitching has been good enough to win games. It has been good enough to get off the field. We did not have many opportunities to capitalize on tonight.”

West Haven stranded Justin Uribe at second in the third inning, and Ty Reeves at first in the fourth, but went down in order in each of the last three innings.

Branford put the game away with two more runs in the seventh. A double play ball scored pinch-runner Henry Watson, before Brandon Kilfeather reached on an error to score Mendoza, who had singled.

Vandale led Branford with two hits, while Mendoza and Suppa each reached base three times.

Sean Jefferson went 6 2/3 innings for the Westies, allowing nine hits and six runs, while striking out seven and walking two in the loss.