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08/16/2021 12:00 AMThe Clinton Huskies’ 17-U AAU East Shore Travel League baseball team finished its 2021 season last week, competing in the East Shore Travel League playoffs and taking a 3-1 semifinal loss against the Torrington Copperheads at the Connecticut Sportsplex on Aug. 13. Clinton finished the year with a league record of 9-6-1.
The Huskies had a strong season overall, but in the playoffs, the team just wasn’t able to find the timely hits to drive in the runs it needed to win against Torrington. The Copperheads took the first advantage of the contest with a run in the top of the third inning. Torrington added two more runs in the top of the seventh.
Clinton mounted a response with a single run in the bottom of the frame, but it wasn’t enough to keep the season alive.
Head Coach Willie Fritz gave credit to the Copperheads for playing a clean game and taking advantage of their opportunities. The Huskies had a hard time stringing together hits and fielding on the turf at the Connecticut Sportsplex.
“We didn’t hit the ball enough. Torrington only had three hits, and we had six, but we didn’t hit the ball well. Torrington did a great job in the field. They didn’t have any errors and that makes a difference,” said Fritz. “We played on turf, and we hadn’t done that all year. So there were some balls hitting dirt that wasn’t dirt. It’s the same thing for the other team, though. Guys were wearing sneakers instead of cleats. We had guys stealing bases that slid by the bag because they were sliding on turf. It was a bit weird to play there.”
While Clinton didn’t make it as far into the playoffs as it would have liked, Coach Fritz felt the year was strong overall. There were challenges as always, but he felt all of the Huskies got a little bit better as the year progressed.
“We were 9-6-1 overall in the league. We also did that separate tournament to give the guys a good chance to get some experience and some exposure against some tougher teams. We had a stretch where we didn’t play in forever, and then we came back on a roll. There were a few games that we really should have won, but sometimes that happens,” said Fritz.
“I think it was a really good season,” he added. “The future bodes well for Morgan, and that’s the whole point of it. I think when they play together as a cohesive unit, it really reflects on the field.”
One of the major reasons for the Huskies success came from a core of four players who were fixtures at the top of the lineup: Garret Garbinski, Brady Fritz, Mike Zingarella, and Dom Carpenter. Coach Fritz thought those four really anchored the team.
“Garret did everything. He’s our shortstop and our No. 1 pitcher on the mound. He was our lead-off guy. When Garret gets on base anything can happen cause he’s fast. He would steal and get into scoring position, and Brady was so good at putting the ball in play, Garret scored all the time,” Fritz said. “Brady had a good season. He had labrum surgery, and he’s been great coming back from that. I occasionally bring him into pitch, and he’s been lights out. He can’t throw more than 15 to 20 pitches to be safe. He’s also excellent in the field. He’s worked really hard getting back into form. I’m probably harder on him than anybody, but I think he’s done a great job and he’s had a good year.”
After Brady Fritz in the two-hole, Coach Fritz relied on Zingarella and Carpenter as the potent three-four combo in the lineup.
“Zingarella hit third for us. He and Garret were swapping at short, but Zing can also catch. He puts the ball in play. Sometimes he’ll pop it up, but he always puts the bat on the ball. Unlike the major leagues, striking out isn’t going to fly in this level. You have to make things happen. When you put the ball in play, good things happen,” said Fritz. “Carpenter was our cleanup hitter. He’s just a leader, and the kind of guy that can get a hit in a big spot. He picks people up when they are down. He’s one of my favorite guys that I’ve coached. I’ve had a lot of players that I’ve loved, and he’s right up at the top.”
Ethan Ranaudo played a big role for the Huskies on the mound this year, and Coach Fritz believes he has a good shot to be an impact player at Morgan come next spring.
“Ranaudo’s developed into a strong No. 2 pitcher. I think he’s right in line to be the No. 2 guy in the rotation at Morgan, especially as of late. His control has gotten better. When he throws it over the plate, guys aren’t able to hit it,” said Fritz. “He’s worked himself into that position. He’s gotten better at the plate, too. He’s putting the ball into play. In the field, he could also play third base or in the outfield when he’s not pitching.”
Contributing with a steady glove in the outfield was Ryan Luciani.
“Ryan’s gotten much better this summer. He doesn’t swing that much, but when he does swing, he hits the ball very well,” Fritz said. “He’s been a good outfielder for us all year. He’s made some surprisingly good plays out there that we would never expect. He has a good opportunity to find a spot out there with Morgan.”
Nick Spaziano and Ryan Hromadka were other important members of the Clinton squad this summer. Coach Fritz enjoyed having them suit up and take the field for the Huskies.
“Nick made great strides this year at the plate and in the field. I think that he is the leading guy to take over at second base for Ryan Inglis. He’s young, but he does a good job in the field. He’s smart knows what to do with the ball when it gets to him and knows where he has to be in the field,” said Fritz. “Ryan Hromadka hit the ball better for us this summer. He seemed pretty relaxed and he hit the ball maybe better than he did with Morgan. He did a great job behind the plate in general.”
Andy Daar bolstered the Huskies’ pitching staff this summer, and Coach Fritz hope the lefty dedicates himself pitching.
“Andy’s going to be a senior next year. He hadn’t really pitched that much before. He’s a tall, lengthy lefty. I think if he continues to work at it, he’ll be a really good pitcher. Morgan is going to need it soon,” said Fritz. “He’s also got a swing that looks like Griffey, Jr. The ball jumps off his bat. He’s a good kid, and I really think he has a great chance to pitch.”
Ethan Reemsnyder and Ryan Inglis had limited availability to play for the Huskies this summer, but when they were able to compete, Clinton was a formidable foe.
“Reemsnyder wasn’t with us on the weekends because he was also on a tournament team. He was pretty good, and his best night was when he hit the 3-run homer over the fence at Indian River. He can really hit the ball,” said Fritz. “Ryan Inglis didn’t play a lot for us, but when he did, it made a big difference. Whenever we put him in there, we knew that he was going to do something for us.”
The Huskies also had a couple less experienced players in Cam Gratton and Nolan Sullivan. Gratton was one of the youngest players on the team, and Sullivan hadn’t played baseball in a few years before coming out for the Huskies this summer.
“Cam’s only 14, and he had a good season. He exceeded my expectations, I would say. He had some big hits. In a big spot he always put the ball in play. He made the defense make plays, and that’s a great trait to have. He played a solid second base. He’s got to get a bit stronger, but he is a pretty good player,” said Fritz. “Nolan decided not to play baseball the last couple of years. He asked to play, and as the season went on, he got a lot better. He worked hard. He always wanted to stay after practice and hit balls. If he keeps working, he has a chance to make the team and play at Morgan.”
The Huskies also took on a couple of players who weren’t actually part of the Morgan pipeline in Declan Christopher and Jake Nelson. Both attend Haddam-Killingworth, and Coach Fritz thinks the Cougars have a couple of solid ballplayers at their disposal.
“Declan and Jake, those H-K kids really contributed in the middle of the lineup. Anywhere I put them in the field they were really great. I hope they get a chance at H-K,” Fritz said. “They are great, gritty ball players. Jake competes really hard. He’s also a hockey player, so he brings that mentality. Declan is just steady wherever you need him, in the field, on the mound, wherever.”
Coach Fritz thanked his assistant coaches CJ Caprio and AJ Fritz for all their help this year, and he’s looking forward to Clinton Huskies fall ball.
“We have some of the guys who play JV at Morgan coming into play fall ball,” said Fritz. “That’ how you do it: baptism by fire. I don’t think many of those guys have played wood bat before so they are going to learn.”