Printer Friendly Version - North Haven Maroon’s Quality Fall Campaign Ends in Playoff Final

The North Haven Maroon fall baseball team had a great season that saw the squad go all the way to the final of its playoff tournament. Pictured from the team are (back row) assistant coach Coach Pete Katynski, Leo Konopka, Chris Ciarlegio, Luca Lawrence, Nate Zalegowski, Dave Christoforo, Andrew Laudano, Kevin Lucey, Christian Somma, Mike Salzano, and Head Coach Tim Binkoski; (front row) Jake Bencivengo, Hunter Garthwait, Gianni DeMartino, Nick Perillie, Jason Ostrowski, Zack Pincince, Danny Cannavaciolo, and Peyton Farina. Photo courtesy of Katie Lucey

The North Haven Maroon fall baseball team earned a dramatic 2-1 win over Hamden in the semifinals of its playoff tournament to advance to the championship game, where the squad took a 1-0 loss in eight innings against Newtown last week. North Haven finished the season with an overall record of 20-3.

After posting a 6-2 win over Weston in the quarterfinal round, North Haven Maroon hosted Hamden in the semis on Nov. 1 and claimed a 2-1 walk-off victory by plating a run in bottom of the seventh inning. Mike Salzano singled to lead off the inning, pinch runner Jake Bencivengo moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dave Christoforo, and then Bencivengo scored when Zack Pincince reached first on an error by the Hamden shortstop. Salzano had two hits, and he also singled home North Haven’s other run that was scored by Danny Cannavaciolo, who was pinch running for Kevin Lucey following a double. Lucey also had a single, while Andrew Laudano singled and walked for North Haven. Starting pitcher Chris Ciarleglio turned in a dominant effort by throwing five scoreless innings in which he allowed no hits and two walks. Luca Lawrence earned the win by pitching two scoreless innings of relief.

The next day, North Haven traveled to Newtown for the championship game and lost a 1-0 contest when Newtown scored a run in the bottom of the eighth for the walk-off win. Nate Zalegowski started on the mound and tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks. Newtown’s starting pitcher threw a complete game and held North Haven to just one hit, which was a single by Lucey.

North Haven Maroon was coached by Head Coach Tim Binkoski and assistant coach Pete Katynski, who are also the head coaches of the North Haven Post 76 Senior and Junior American Legion baseball teams, respectively. The athletes on North Haven’s team were Jake Bencivengo, Danny Cannvaciolo, Dave Christoforo, Chris Ciarleglio, Gianni DiMartino, Peyton Farina, Hunter Garthwait, Leo Konopka, Andrew Laudano, Luca Lawrence, Kevin Lucey, Jason Ostrowski, Nick Perillie, Zack Pincince, Christian Somma, Mike Salzano, and Nate Zalegowski.