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07/22/2018 12:00 AMSenior Legion Baseball
The Branford Senior American Legion baseball team opened up the State Tournament by taking a 1-0, 10-inning loss to Naugatuck, but then edged Stamford by that same score with its season on the line to stay alive. Branford, which has an overall record of 17-6, will face Naugatuck again—this time in an elimination game—at Naugatuck High School at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24.
After finishing its regular season by beating Hamden, Post 83 began the State Tournament by losing a 1-0 contest at Naugatuck in the double-elimination regional portion of the bracket on July 21. Zane Kmietek pitched an outstanding game for Post 83 by throwing seven innings and striking out 11 batters. However, Branford’s offense was held to just four hits, led by two doubles and a single from Zach Withington. Naugatuck scored the game’s lone run in the bottom of the 10th inning for the walk-off victory, putting Head Coach Kyle Heins’s club in a must-win situation for its ensuing State Tournament game.
Branford faced defending state champion and this year’s Zone 4 champion Stamford—which had taken a 2-1 loss to Guilford in its states opener—in an elimination game at Cubetta Stadium in Stamford on July 22. Branford prevailed 1-0 as Alphonse Suppa pitched all seven innings for a complete-game shutout. Suppa allowed just two hits, issued no walks, and fanned 10 to improve to 6-0 on the season. Post 83 plated the only run of the day in the third inning, when Jake Bodner walked, stole second base, took third on a hit by Nikko Liguori, and then scored on a single from Withington.
Post 83 had previously completed their regular season by earning an 8-1 victory over Hamden at Branford High School on July 19. Branford posted a record of 16-5 in the Zone 2 standings this year to finish in third place, just one game behind Hamden (17-4) for the top spot. Suppa got the win on the mound for Branford in its regular-season finale. Withington had a nice day at the plate with a double and a triple, while Damien Maniscalco, Carson Mendoza, and Kmietek all had two hits in the lopsided victory.
Branford started off its week by picking up a trio of wins over New Haven via forfeit for three games that were slated to be played from July 16 to July 18.
Junior Legion Baseball
Post 83 defeated New Haven in their regular-season finale to clinch a place in the State Tournament. Branford notched a mark of 8-13 in Zone 2 to finish in fifth place in the standings this summer. Branford opens the State Tournament by facing Oakville at Pomperaug High School on Monday, July 23.
On July 18, Branford took an 11-2 loss against New Haven to put its playoff hopes in jeopardy. Dylan Giordano had a double with a run scored, while AJ Bruckman and Justin Elpi each had a hit and an RBI. Glen Iacovetti finished the game with a hit and a walk.
Branford needed to win its final game of the regular season to reach the playoffs and did just that by claiming a 14-7 victory versus New Haven on July 19. Bruckman got the win on the mound by throwing two innings, after which Elpi recorded a four-inning save. Elpi also had three hits, including two doubles, to go with two RBI and two runs scored. Giordano had two hits, including a double, with two RBI and a run, while Jack Van Gelder had two hits and three RBI. The bottom of the order drove in seven of Branford’s 14 runs in the win.
Prep Legion Baseball
Branford hosted West Haven at Totoket Park on July 16 and prevailed by the final score of 2-1. Two days later, Post 83 earned an 11-1 home victory over Wallingford at Totoket Park in their regular-season finale. Branford went 10-9 in Zone A to finish second in the zone standings, only two games behind Wallingford for first. Branford’s overall record for the regular season was 11-12-1.