American Legion Wrap-up

American 

Legion 2015 

season off 

to slow start

By Ron P. Coderre

The high school baseball season is finally in the rear view mirror.  The elimination of East Lyme High School in the CIAC Class L finals signaled the start of the American Legion season for all teams in Zone VI.

All three local entries, TriTown, Danielson and Moosup saw action this week.  The start of the TriTown season was delayed due to East Lyme’s extended run in the high school tournament.  The entire three game series will be played later in the season, forcing TriTown to delay its first game until Saturday, June 13 against Ledyard-Pawcatuck on the road.

Danielson dropped two of three against New London in its first series of the season.  Moosup, composed primarily of players from Plainfield High School, won two of three against Norwich to get its season off to a good start.

TriTown Drops Opener in Extra Frames

Itching to go from the practice field to actual game action the TriTown team under new head coach John Foucault, dropped its opener to Ledyard-Pawcatuck 11-8 in 10 innings.  The Towners came out with the bats blazing, connecting for 12 hits but it wasn’t enough as they lost to the hosts.

Ryan Gadoury was the starting pitcher, going 5 1/3 innings before being relieved by Alex Angelo who absorbed the loss.  After falling behind 8-2, the Towners exploded six runs in the 7th inning to knot the contest.  Benny Brissette had two hits and walked twice for TT.  Josh Allard had two runs batted it.

The Towners finally got into the Win column as they took the second game of a doubleheader from LP 9-5.  Jared Durand threw six strong innings in the win.  Brissette led the way offensively with two hits, a walk and two runs-batted-in.  Ledyard-Pawcatuck took the first game of the DH 10-7.  J.P. Bergeron and Kyle Tyler each had two RBI’s in the loss.  TriTown is 1-2 on the season

Danielson Loses Two-of-Three to New London

Danielson opened its home season with a 7-2 loss at the hands of New London, which had a 17 hit attack.  The lone bright spot for Danielson was an RBI double by Charlie Innes.  In a doubleheader on the road, Danielson was shutout in the first game 4-0.  The second game was a different story as Cory Sipos went the distance in a 6-3 Danielson win.  He struck out eight Whaler batters.  Dylan Clarkin and Tre Belanger each scored two runs in the victory for 1-2 Danielson.

Moosup Off to Fast Start

Moosup picking up off the success of the Plainfield High School baseball team swept 2-of-3 games from Norwich in its opening season series.  After splitting the first two games of the series, Moosup hitters got serious in the final game, exploding for an 11-5 win.

Mike Esposito, home from college, had a three-run homer and knocked in four runs to pace Post #91.  Dave Carpenter also unloaded for a three-run four bagger and chased home five runners in the win.  Jeff Nicolosi went the distance in picking up the win for 2-1 Moosup.

TriTown Juniors Lose Opening Series

The TriTown American Legion Junior program opened the season on a positive note, winning its opener only to lose the following two contests.  In the lid lifter of the 2015 season, Scott Davagian went the route leading the Towners to a 5-3 victory over Niantic.  

In the home opener the next evening Niantic turned the tables on TriTown with a 4-3 victory.  Aiden Ciquera and Davagian each had two hits in the loss.  In the finale of the three-game series, the Towners were shutout 6-0, dropping TriTown to 1-2 in the early season going.

 

caption:

 

Dedication

A dogwood tree was dedicated June 13 to the memory of postal clerk Chris Rukakoski. Putnam Postmaster Don Deslauriers stands with Chris's family, wife Lisa and daughter Emily. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

 

 

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM --- In spite of  the darkness that is mental illness, postal clerk Chris Rukakoski touched all who knew him with light and joy. 

The Putnam Post Office June 13 dedicated a white dogwood tree to Rukakoski who took his own life Aug. 9, 2014. His wife Lisa thought it was fitting that within earshot the Particle Accelerator music event was raising money for programs that help prevent suicide. While discussing an illness like diabetes is accepted, discussing mental illness, is not --- and it should be, she said.  Chris lost his struggle with mental illness, she said. "He was the love of my life and I am grateful for the 17 years we had together."

She added that it "brings great joy for the Post Office to dedicate this tree," although, she added "he'd actually be embarrassed" by the dedication. 

Don Dunning, postal worker, said he remembers a short conversation with Rukakoski after the birth of his daughter. Dunning was worrying about providing for his newborn, but Rukakoski "lit up, radiated" and made him realize what a blessing kids are. "For a minute I forgot about things that don't matter."

Don Deslauriers, postmaster, was pleased to see the large gathering in honor of Rukakoski.

Gazing at the tree, Rukakoski's wife thanked the post office for the undying memory of Chris.

from e.e. cummings'  “i thank You God for most this amazing” : 

i thank You God for most this amazing

day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

 

 

Caption, page 6:

 

Clockwise from top left: The PHS Class of 2015 on stage. Caitlyn Cousineau waving hi. Outgoing Principal Joseph Ptaszynski. The view of the stage from the orchestra pit. 

 

 

 

PUTNAM — At the June 13, 2015, graduation for Putnam High School award winners included: Educator of the Year, Curtis Hull; Citizen of the Year,  Kathy Guertin; Student of the Year,  Jacob Guertin. 

The valedictorian is Mariela Kridzelis and the salutatorian is Cole Andersen.

Graduates include:  Joshua James Allard (H), Cole J. Andersen (HH, NHS), Shawn Audet, Kahliel Ayau, Eric I. Bembenek (HH), Jon Bennett, Taylor M. Bocash, Roger L. Brodeur, Zachary Brule, Ethan Bruso (H), Kristian Burke (H), Ben J. Chrzan, Caitlyn Rachel Cousineau, Mitchell Robert Viens Cristofori (HH), Steven Dakai Jr. (HH, NHS), Lynsay May Dashnaw (HH, NHS), Angelique R. DeFevers (H), Angelo Gerard DeSalvio (HH), Justin D. Dodd (HH), Christopher J. Dundon (H), Harrison E. Gardiner, Rylah Alexander Gould, Jacob E. Guertin (HH, NHS), Matt E. Harmon, Brendan Hebert, Denise Villie Inthirathvongsy (H), Samantha Rae Keene, Emily Keith, Kayla Klingensmith (H), Mariela Kridzelis (HH, NHS), Vladimir Konstantin Krivosheev (HH), Abigail C. LaBonte (H), Cody LaScola (H), Nicholas Edward Lavoie, Dan Lowell (H), Nate Lowell (H), Alexis Monique Macha (H), Haley Maddalena (HH), Noah B. Mailloux, Cody Alan Mathieu, Samantha Lee Mayo, Megan Michelle Moseley (H), Rebecca Nichole Okenquist, Dan Pannekeet, Ryan M. Renshaw, Danté G. Riddick, Garrett A. Roberts (H, NHS), Dustin John Richard Rodio, Jordan D. Rodriguez, Sierra Morgan Roireau, Sara Evelyn Rouillard, Thalia Angelina Isabella Ruiz, Milica Sari (HH, NHS), Nicholas James Simas, Alex St. Onge, Dominick William Stockwell, Brittany Roze Stott, Travis J. Stringer, Nicole Marie Surprenant, Mykeala Alexandria Taylor, Jordon T. Tetreault, Destanie Renee Tomer, Nathan Robert Tozzi (HH), Mikayla Erin Van Dam (HH, NHS), Christina May Verraneault, Michael Richard Wujek.

(H) = Cumulative average of 85% and above; (HH) = Cumulative average of 90% and above; (NHS) =  National Honor Society