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07/12/2021 12:00 AMWith numerous returning athletes and an influx of young talent, the Branford Senior American Legion 19-U baseball team had its sights set on making the playoffs heading into the 2021 summer season. As Branford enters the home stretch, Head Coach Kyle Heins said that his players must correct their mistakes from the first half of the campaign and continue battling on a day-in, day-out basis in order to accomplish that goal.
Branford has a record of 5-8 in Zone 2 competition this year. The team is in sixth place in the Zone 2 standings, from which the top five squads qualify for the playoffs.
“Getting kids back every year is important. Putting a good product on the field is important. We wanted to get kids back and compete every day,” Coach Heins said. “Our record doesn’t show our talent. We’ve had a couple tough games, but we’re battling. We have a good group of a kids. They show up every day wanting to compete.”
Branford lost three of its four games in last week’s action. On July 7, Post 83 dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Wallingford, taking a 14-1 loss and a 7-1 defeat. Four days later, Branford split a road doubleheader against West Haven by earning a 7-3 win in the first game and losing a 9-5 contest in the nightcap.
Coach Heins’s squad will finish its regular season by playing games versus Hamden, Madison, and Orange this week.
“We’re facing some good competition. A lot of teams have a lot of good arms. We find ways to score runs,” said Heins. “We’re an above-average offensive team. We have good pitching. These kids just finished the high school season. The most important thing is getting these kids on the field and having them play.”
Coach Heins has been impressed with Branford’s offense and its outfield defense throughout the first half of the season. Above all else, Heins said that Post 83’s players bring a competitive edge to field every day, regardless of the outcome.
“We hit the ball well. Our outfield is great. We cover the field well. Overall, it’s the way we compete,” said Heins. “Every game I tell the guys, ‘Win or lose, I want you to compete,’ and they have. That’s all I can ask for.”
Heins added that his players have displayed great maturity in their defeats this summer. Rather than get down on themselves, Branford’s athletes are learning from their losses and growing as a result.
“It’s their maturity and the realization of how close we are,” Heins said. “Some part of the learning process is losing and seeing what went wrong. They’re aware of it for sure.”
While he didn’t name captains, Coach Heins said that outfielder Zachary Vandale, shortstop Enrique Diaz, and pitchers Jake Bodner, Bennett Gentile, and Dan Farricielli are serving as the leaders for Post 83 this season. All five are returning players and have been instrumental in keeping the team together and helping the younger players improve.
“They bring positive energy and the skillset that the younger kids look up to,” said Heins. “Vandale plays center field, but he could play anywhere. Bodner and Gentile are our two top pitchers. Farricielli is another one of our pitchers. Diaz is our catalyst and our team defensive captain. They keep the kids anchored. They keep everyone controlled.”
Heins is also pleased with the performances of some of the younger guys on the team. Heins noted that catcher Adam Chasse, outfielder Tucker Sutherland, and pitchers/outfielders Tyler Jarvis, Max Liebel, and Michael Farricielli have all stepped up for Branford this season. Last week, Liebel pitched 6.1 innings when Post 83 claimed its 7-3 victory over West Haven.
Whether they’re returning players or new faces, Heins feels that Branford’s athletes are doing an excellent job of shaping the culture of the program. Heins believes that Post 83 is in a good place going forward.
“Branford has been nothing but successful,” Heins said. “What these younger kids are seeing and what these older kids are setting is a culture that’s attractive.”
As Branford closes out the regular season, Coach Heins is looking for Post 83 to continue improving on the defensive side of the diamond. Heins said that his players are hungry for a playoff berth and that they understand how crucial their execution will be down the stretch.
“I want to improve our defense and our execution. Those are the focal points for the second half. If we can minimize our defensive mistakes, we’ll be in the hunt,” said Heins. “We’re a few games out of a playoff spot and the kids realize that. That’s where the competitiveness comes out. They want to get in the playoffs. They know they have the ability to upset anybody.”
Branford has five games left in the regular season to try and get in the top five of the Zone 2 standings. Coach Heins said that his players know what they need to do to reach the postseason and that they’ll be ready if they advance.
“We’re just going to have to execute. We’re going to have to make plays, hit in big spots, and control the running game,” Heins said. “If we can do that, we’re going to make some noise if we can get in.”