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07/26/2021 12:00 AM

Madison Legion Playing in Postseason After Winning Zone 2


Ken Nuzzi (right) is greeted by Will Bazenas after making a sliding catch in center field during a recent game for the Madison Senior Legion baseball team. Post 79 won the Zone 2 title by going 16-3 in the regular season and is competing in the playoffs this week.Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

The Madison Senior American Legion 19-U baseball team claimed three victories during the final week of its regular season to finish in first place in the Zone 2 standings with a record of 16-3. Madison will open up the postseason by competing in the Northeast Regional Qualifying Tournament this week.

Madison played two games on July 18 and came away with wins in both games. Post 79 started off the day by claiming an 8-2 road victory over Branford at Branford High School that morning. David Antonetti pitched six innings to get the win for Madison.

A few hours later, Madison hosted West Haven and prevailed by a 4-1 score at Town Campus Field.

The following day, Post 79 hosted Branford for a matchup at Town Campus Field. Madison defeated Branford by the final tally of 10-1 in the contest. Matt Carone pitched a complete game for Post 79. Ken Nuzzi had four RBI, while Jack Pireaux collected three hits for Madison.

Madison is participating in the Northeast Regional Qualifying Tournament that gets underway this week. There are 10 teams competing in the double-elimination tournament, and the winner advances to the Northeast Regional that starts on Tuesday, Aug. 3. The winner of the regional moves on to the American Legion World Series in North Carolina.

Unlike past years, the winner of the American Legion State Tournament will not advance to the Northeast Regional this season. Teams that compete in the Northeast Regional Qualifier and are eliminated may still go on to compete in the single-elimination State Tournament, which also begins on Aug. 3.

Madison has the No. 2 seed in the Northeast Regional Qualifying Tournament and hosted No. 7 NCL for its first game on Monday (after press time). The tournament runs through the championship game at Muzzy Field in Bristol on Friday, July 30.

—Dean Bibens