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06/27/2016 12:00 AMAfter fielding a young club last year, the Madison Senior Legion baseball team brings back several sluggers this summer and is aiming to be one of Zone 3’s upstart teams.
Jeff Buck returns for his second year as the skipper of Madison’s senior circuit following a 6-18 campaign in which Post 79 lost their fair share of close contests. Madison grabbed its first win of this season by beating Zone 3 heavyweight Cheshire 2-1 on June 12 and Coach Buck hopes that’s a sign of greater things to come for his seasoned squad.
“We were a young team last year, but we are returning a lot of guys that have gotten better, so my expectations go up with that. We are no longer the young kids in the zone. We might have some teams that sleep on us this year, but I’m pumped for this year and these guys,” said Buck. “This year will be a good test to see how much the hard work pays off. Off the field, I just want them to have fun and enjoy the summer as a team, along with working hard on being good people and setting examples for the younger teams and pushing themselves to get better.”
In last week’s action, Madison swept a home doubleheader against Zone 3 foe Middletown by finals of 3-2 and 3-1 on June 25. Post 79 then played two in Middletown the next day and claimed two more victories by prevailing 5-2 in the opener and 5-0 for the nightcap. At week’s end, Madison owned a record of 5-3 in the zone and was 6-4-1 overall.
Post 79 is deploying a pair of aces on its pitching staff in team captain Joe Hill, along with Magnus Grigor, who went the distance on a one-hitter in the Cheshire victory. Michael Elias, a third member of the staff who also plays shortstop and third base, showed his stuff on the mound with an solid 5.1-inning performance in a 3-1 loss to Cheshire on June 11. Ryan McAneany will also bolster the Post 79 rotation and showcased his talents by going six innings and allowing three runs in a 5-1 defeat against Cheshire on June 12.
“Michael is key for us and a reliable utility guy. He was impressive against Cheshire. Magnus was effective and had a great performance, as well,” said Buck. “Joe is one of our leaders. He has a great attitude and can do anything asked of him. He has a bulldog mentality and always wants the ball. Ryan walks very few guys and gets them out. He was great for us last year and is doing well again this year.”
Additionally returning to the club are second baseman and No. 2 hitter Brian Anderson, as well as left fielder Rob Bordiere. Joining Bordiere in the outfield are Jonathan Girardi, Cashen Keeler, James Kim, and Jack Kallinich.
“Brian is a returning college player, so it’s always great to have that older mentality and attitude. Rob will bat between the five [and] seven spots. He is a solid defensive outfielder with a good pop in the bat and drives it with contact,” said Coach Buck. “Jonathan is a great kid and athlete with good defensive range in the outfield. Cashen has a good arm, range, and fielding. Jack is our No. 3 [or] 4 hitter and is awesome to have around. He has an accurate range and covers the gap. James will rotate between the three outfield positions. He is a good contact hitter who is also quick.”
Rounding out the Post 79 roster are first baseman/DH Pat Nelson, catchers CJ Licari and Matt Sampson, David Nuzzo at the hot corner, second baseman Colin Reed, plus Aaron Rubin and Ian Tolis, who both pitch and play the outfield.
“Pat is always focused come game time and will be a four [or] five hitter. We brought CJ up from Junior Legion and he is expected to get decent playing time. Matt is an absolute wall as catcher. He has excellent skills with framing pitches and relays commands from me well,” Buck said. “David Nuzzo is always ready to play and wants to get better. He is a great leadoff hitter and you never know if he’ll bunt or hit. Colin was also a call-up from Junior Legion, so it’s good to have that new blood. Aaron will be big for us when we need some more arms as a reliever. Ian is throwing harder than last summer and has good command of his fastball.”
Buck added that he isn’t singling out one particular opponent or a specific series as the most important in terms of this season’s schedule this summer. Instead, the coach likes to think of each week and every series as an opportunity to represent Madison and show why Post 79 a program that deserves to be taken seriously.
“It’s always good to take some wins from Cheshire, plus I always love playing Middletown and also playing at Palmer Field. Guilford is our rival and you always want to show up to win those games. Meriden is also always stacked and ready to play,” said Buck. “Every week will be a strong test. I like to take each week as a business trip where we hopefully get the wins.”
2016 Madison Senior American Legion Baseball Schedule
June 7: Madison 1, Branford 1
June 11: Cheshire 3, Madison 1
June 12: Cheshire 3, Madison 0
June 12: Madison 2, Cheshire 1
June 13: Cheshire 5, Madison 1
June 17: Madison 6, Tri-County 2
June 18: South Windsor 5, Madison 3
June 25: Madison 3. Middletown 2
June 25: Madison 3, Middletown 1
June 26: Madison 5. Middletown 0
June 26: Madison 5, Middletown 2
Thursday, June 30: vs. East Haddam at 5:45 p.m.
Friday, July 1: at East Haddam at 5:30 p.m. (doubleheader)
Tuesday, July 5: vs. Wallingford at 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday, July 6: at Wallingford at 5:45 p.m. (doubleheader)
Thursday, July 7: vs. Wallingford at 5:45 p.m.
Friday, July 8: at Guilford at 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, July 9: vs. Guilford at 9 a.m. (doubleheader)
Sunday, July 10: at Guilford at 10 a.m.
Monday, July 11: vs. Meriden at 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday, July 12: vs. Meriden at 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13: at Meriden at 5:45 p.m.
Thursday, July 14: at Meriden at 5:45 p.m.