Printer Friendly Version - Branford Baseball Takes 1-0 Loss to Windsor in Class L Semis; Track Represents at State Open

Robbie Barbash and the Hornets’ baseball squad made great run through the Class L State Tournament by winning their first three games of the draw. On June 6, Branford was eliminated with a 1-0 loss versus top-seeded Windsor to finish at 17-9 this spring. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

The Branford baseball squad saw its season come to a close when the Hornets took a 1-0 loss to Windsor in the Class L State Tournament semifinals at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford on June 6. Branford, which was the No. 12 seed, finished its season with an overall record of 17-9. Top-seeded Windsor improved to 22-2 on the year and advanced to face Wethersfield in the final.

Alphonse Suppa pitched five strong innings for the Hornets, allowing the lone run of the game in a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth. Windsor had just three hits in the game, but Branford’s offense was limited to three hits by Warriors’ pitcher Alex Rosario, who struck out 12 batters in the victory. Carson Mendoza pitched a scoreless sixth inning for Branford. Senior Robbie Barbash drew a pair of walks in the loss.

Branford had posted a record of 13-7, including a mark of 4-2 in the SCC Quinnipiac Division to share the title with North Haven, during the regular season. The Hornets followed that up by earning an 8-5 win over Cheshire in the SCC Tournament quarterfinals, after which they took a 6-3 defeat versus Hand in the semis. In the Class L bracket, Branford recorded wins versus Masuk (2-0), Cheney Tech (11-6), and Bristol Eastern (2-1 in 8 innings) to make it to the the semifinal round.

Junior Marzio Mastroianni continued his excellent postseason for Branford by taking 11th place in the 1,600-meter run at the State Open Championship, which took place at Willow Brook Park in New Britain on June 4.

Mastroianni ran a time of 4:23.40 to place 11th in the 1,600 at the Open. He had previously won the event at the SCC West Sectional Championship, the SCC Championship, and the Class MM State Championship this season. Mastroianni also qualified to run the 800 at the Open after finishing second in the event at states and winning it at both SCCs and sectionals. At the Open, Mastroianni also ran on Branford’s 4x400 relay that also included juniors Matt Alexander, Matt Daley, and Aidan Kropiwincki and finished 15th with a time of 3:31.51. The quartet had previously notched a school-record time of 3:28.06 when they finished fourth at the Class MM meet.

Also at the Open, junior Brandon Perez finished 23rd in the high jump by clearing a height of 5 feet-8 inches for the Hornets. Perez won the high jump at sectionals this spring.

Junior Liante Claude ran the 400-meter dash for the Hornets at last week’s State Open Championship.

Claude posted a 17th-place finish in the 400 by posting a time of 1:00.81 at the Open. She improved on her time of 1:00.95 from when she fifth place in the event at the previous week’s Class MM State Championship.

Branford competed at the Division II State Championship that was held at Fairview Farms Golf Course in Harwinton on June 5. The Hornets totaled a team score of 349 to finished tied with Guilford for 12th place in the 20-team field.

Senior Liam Deane finished in 18th place by shooting a seven-over par score of 79 for his 18-hole round. Sophomore Minsok Lee shot an 84 to finish tied for 34th place, junior Max Bunton finished with 85 and tied for 42nd place, and senior EJ Lee finished in 88th place after scoring a 101 for the Hornets.

Liante Claude recorded a 17th-place finish in the 400-meter dash on behalf of Branford at the State Open Championship on June 4. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

Liam Deane finished in a tie for 18th-place when the Hornets competed at the Division II State Championship at Fairview Farms Golf Course in Harwinton. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound