This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
07/26/2020 12:00 AMThe Branford U-19 baseball team played several close contests in the Connecticut Elite Baseball Association (CEBA) last week. Head Coach Kyle Heins’s squad took a pair of one-run losses to Madison, split a two-game series with West Haven, and then split a two-game set against Orange to move to 4-10 on the season.
Branford began its week by losing both ends of a doubleheader at Madison on July 18. Branford took a 1-0 loss in the first game and was edged out by a 4-3 score in the second game.
Jake Bodner pitched a one-hitter for Branford in the opening matchup, allowing just one run in the sixth inning, while striking out five for the game. Outfielder Bennett Gentile had two hits in the contest. Although Branford was unable to put together timely hits, Coach Heins was pleased with the play of his team’s defense in the narrow defeat.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Branford held a 3-2 lead entering the bottom of the seventh inning, but Madison rallied for two runs to get the 4-3 walk-off win. Shortstop Enrique Diaz had a hit and an RBI, while third baseman Dan Farricielli had a hit with an RBI and a run scored for Branford. Eddie Zanor started the contest on the mound and threw three innings for Coach Heins’s club.
“We are a younger team, but we are battling,” said Heins. “The kids are happy. We’re in every game. It’s not like we are getting blown out. We are playing against some really older teams. We’re the youngest team in our zone, and we’re giving all of these teams a game.”
On July 19, Branford traveled to take on West Haven and came away with a 5-4 win for its third victory of the season. Diaz had three hits, a run scored, and an RBI in the contest. Zanor had two hits with a run and an RBI, and infielder Mike Virginelli had two hits in the victory. Teddy Zabawa picked up the win by pitching 6.1 innings in relief, allowing just two runs and striking out three.
Branford faced West Haven at home on July 21 and took a 7-1 defeat. Virginelli was pitching a one-hitter heading into the sixth inning, but West Haven took advantage of some Branford errors to score five runs in that frame and two more in the seventh to pull away for the win.
The following day, Branford hosted Orange and lost a 2-0 decision in extra innings. With the game scoreless through seven, Orange scored two runs in the top of the eighth to claim the victory. Diaz supplied three hits in the game, while Zabawa and Zachary Vandale each had one hit. Gentile pitched 7.1 innings for Branford, allowing just one unearned run to go with four strikeouts.
On July 23, Branford hit the road for a rematch with Orange and prevailed by a 5-2 final. Branford’s offense put together 10 hits in the victory, including two apiece from Diaz, Gentile, and Farricielli. Gentile and Farricielli both had an RBI, as did first baseman Ryan Nuzzo and Zabawa. Bodner started the contest and threw two innings for Branford. Zabawa pitched the final five innings, allowing just one run to earn the win.
Coach Heins was impressed with his team’s ability to notch wins against West Haven and Orange last week. West Haven and Orange are two of the top teams in the CEBA’s Division II standings.
“It shows that we can beat anybody if we come ready to play and we are dialed in. It’s the same thing I told the kids. I asked them what those wins mean and they said, ‘We can beat anybody,’” Heins said. “We’re not afraid to play anybody. We’ve been in so many close games, and it’s only going to make us better—better for now, better for the future. When we come to the field and we’re ready to go, we’re a dangerous team.”
Coach Heins said that he’s been impressed with the performance of Diaz, who is Branford’s starting shortstop. Diaz turned in several solid showings at the plate last week and has also been an asset for Branford in the field.
“What he has brought to our team is indescribable. He is a wonderful defender out at shortstop. He’s our leadoff batter. He’s a good leader. He stays calm and focused,” Heins said of Diaz. “He’s wonderful to coach, and we are excited to have him. He’s a kid who is going to be attending [UConn Avery Point] next year. They’re going to have a really good ballplayer.”
Heading into the season, Coach Heins wanted his players to use the CEBA season as a way to get better every day. As Branford enters the home stretch of its regular season, Heins said that his team has done exactly that and is “so much better than where we were day one.” Now, Branford is looking to finish the 2020 campaign with a flourish.
“Our goal is to win out. We have to win,” said Heins. “It’s important to get on a little hot streak here. We’re in a good spot to do that.”