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HK Baseball Skipper Brookes Gets 600th Win

Haddam-Killingworth (12-5) baseball started the week with a 5-0 shutout of Old Saybrook on May 12 prior to a 4-3 loss at Valley Regional on May 13. The Cougars then edged Cromwell 2-1 on May 14 before a 4-0 shutout of Morgan on May 18 to give Head Coach Mark Brookes his 600th career win.

"Anybody that's spent a lot of time around is able to reach that kind of number, but I've told several people that you teach commitment to the kids and it takes commitment," said Brookes, who's earned all his wins at HK as its only skipper. "To make it, you need your family behind you, especially to be with it 38 years. It's a testament to the support we've gotten, and I said afterwards that this is a nice thing, but it's been a pleasure to coach good kids from good families."

Hosting Old Saybrook, Brian Moskey threw his second shutout of the season, scattering four hits en route to his fourth victory. The Cougars held on to a one-run lead until the fourth inning when they struck for three runs highlighted by a two-run single by Tom Kostek to put the game away for Moskey.

The next day, Valley scored four times in the fifth to secure its seventh victory of the season. The Cougars held on to a three-run edge until the fifth, but couldn't hold back the Warriors. Moskey had two hits for HK.

In the Cromwell triumph, Griffin Bremer struck out eight, giving up only two hits to get his seventh win of the campaign. The Cougars hit for two runs in the second on two hits, a walk, and a fielder's choice. Trevor Mann drove in the winning run with a two-out single.

In the Morgan decision, Bremer had a perfect game into the fifth frame and fanned a dozen, while he threw no-hit ball into the sixth. The Cougars grabbed all of their runs in the fourth to seal the milestone victory for Brookes.

"Support from the school system comes into it, too; they do special things that allow you to stay with it," said Brookes. "Griffin had outstanding control with great pitches, and he was sharp."