Baseball - Plainfield pg 9 5-29-14
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By Ron P. Coderre
As most local high school teams are approaching the end of regular season play Plainfield High School was the last unbeaten team in the region and possibly the state. That is until last week when the Panthers dropped a pair of heart breaking contests to a pair of Eastern Connecticut Conference rivals.
After losing to East Lyme and Waterford, the Panthers rebounded with a solid win over a very good St. Bernard team. Still sporting a gaudy 16-2 record, Plainfield now has the target removed from its back.
Woodstock Academy making a run at qualifying for the ECC and State tournaments picked up two wins. Ellis Tech, enjoying one of its best seasons of late also won two games and raised its record to 12-7. Putnam, which went 1-1 on the week, has also qualified for postseason play. Killingly and Tourtellotte are playing out the string after having been mathematically eliminated from qualifying for the postseason.
Panthers Continue Playing Solid Baseball
The East Lyme Vikings broke up a 2-2 pitchers duel with a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand Plainfield its first loss of the season 3-2. Kyle Boarman started and pitched well for Plainfield, carrying a 2-0 lead into the last of the seventh but relinquished the tying runs before being relieved by Jordan Federer, who absorbed the loss in the ninth. The Panthers could only muster five hits against the Viking pitching.
The Panthers then went on the road again in a night game against Waterford and their bats went silent, only picking three hits as they were shutout by the Lancers 2-0 for their second loss in two days. Mike Esposito (5-1) suffered the loss.
Plainfield got back on the winning track with a 3-2 route-going win by Boarman, who raised his record to 5-0. In this game the Panthers tallied the winning run in the home half of the seventh inning in picking up victory number 16. Federer and Oscar Garza had doubles in leading the eight-hit Panther attack.
Woodstock wasted a great pitching performance by Will Bourgeois when it was dropped by ECC Large Division foe Fitch 2-1. Buoyed by the Bourgeois performance, the Centaurs rebounded with and 8-4 win over Killingly and a 12-1 victory over Griswold. Winning pitcher Alden Brennan was the beneficiary of a 19-hit Centaur offensive barrage led by a pair of Kolby Reggione doubles and a J.P. Bergeron home run in the victory over the Redmen. Bourgeois came back and took the mound in the win over the Wolverines. Once again the Centaur bats were on fire, producing 17 hits. Trent Appleton with a double and triple was the big gun for the 7-9 Acads.
Killingly continued to plummet as it was also beaten by New London 8-4 to drop to 3-15 overall and 1-9 in the ECC Medium Division. Putnam and Ellis Tech hooked up in a nip-and-tuck affair with the Eagles pulling out a 6-5 Constitution State Conference East Division victory. Thompson’s Jared Carignan was the winning Tech hurler. Charles Innes had a double and triple in support of Carignan. The Techster continued their winning ways behind the tosses of Innes who doubled to help his cause in a 7-3 win over Vinal Tech. Carignan also had a two-bagger for the 12-7 Eagles.
Putnam bounced back behind winning pitcher Josh Allard (5-2) with a 6-1 win over Wheeler. Tyler Genest and Luke Sarsfield with doubles aided Allard’s cause. The Clippers are 12-5 on the season.
Tourtellotte was shutout 11-0 by Lyman to open its week. The Tigers came back with a 4-2 extra inning victory over Wheeler. Shawn Houle went the distance in the eight-inning affair for the win. Houle, who’s been one of the Tigers bright spots also had an 8-7 win over the Stonington Bears. Houle, Ben Brissette and Jake Sivia all had doubles in the win. The Tigers are 4-14 overall and 2-8 in the ECC Small Division.
Putnam Science Academy fell to 1-5 as the Mustangs absorbed an 8-0 loss to St. Thomas More and an 11-6 defeat at the hands of The Learning Clinic.
RPC’s Super Standings: Plainfield 16-2; Putnam 12-6; Ellis Tech 12-7; Marianapolis 9-7; Woodstock Academy 9-9; Pomfret School 4-2; Tourtellotte 4-14; Killingly 4-15; PSA 1-5.
Plainfield pg 9 5-29-14
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School principal and Clipper graduate Nelson “Buzz” King. In high school King was a noted runner on the cross country and track teams. Today he enjoys spending time with his grandson and his golfing cronies at Quinnatisset Country Club.
The Plainfield Panthers have been enjoying one of the best baseball seasons in recent history, building up a 15-game undefeated string of victories. The Panthers have been the recipient of top sports headlines in local newspapers including the Putnam Town Crier thanks to their success.
After making the front page last week and being congratulated for moving into the New Haven Register and Hartford Courant Top 10 polls the Panthers moved into the #1 position in both polls last week. Much like making the cover of Sports Illustrated, making the front page of the Putnam Town Crier proved to be a jinx for coach Jason Chiavaras’ young men.
The perfect record was spoiled by East Lyme and Waterford in successive loses. Most likely the new polls will drop Plainfield from the top spot, but in the humble opinion of this columnist they deserve to remain in the Top 10 in the state.
The 3-2 loss to East Lyme might have seemed like a letdown, but the Vikings are a solid program. In a rematch against Waterford, a team the Panthers had knocked off the top of both polls earlier in the year, Plainfield was dropped 2-0 as they were unable to find a timely hit. This happens in baseball.
Baseball is a game of inches as the cliché goes. A hit one way or another or a defensive play just out of the reach of the fielder can often lead to the ultimate outcome of the contest. Unlike football or other sports that are played once per week, baseball is played on a more frequent basis, so losses though important can often be absorbed.
Let’s hope this is the situation with Plainfield. The Panthers were looking like a team capable of contending for a State title. Two or three losses in a 20-game season should not detract from the type of season Plainfield is experiencing in the spring of 2014.
New England Patriots to Honor Local Man
A well known local individual who has devoted his entire life to helping others will be honored by the New England Patriots with a very special award. In word out of Day Kimball Healthcare, Peter Deary, the former chairman of the Board of Directors, has been selected to receive the prestigious Myra Kraft Community MVP Award to be presented at Gillette Stadium on June 9.
Myra Kraft was the beloved wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Mrs. Kraft died two years ago after a long and courageous battle with cancer. At the time of her death the entire New England region, the National Football League and the members of the Patriots mourned her death. Mrs. Kraft was known during her lifetime for the work she did on behalf of those in need throughout the region.
In receiving the award, Deary is certainly an example of the type of values Mrs. Kraft stood for in support of others. In addition to his work on behalf of the hospital, Deary is well known for his involvement with the First Congregational Church of Pomfret, especially in the wake of the fire that destroyed the church in December 2013. He’s also been the backbone of the Deary Memorial Race, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
In addition to the hospital and church Deary has been a leader in the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and along with his friend Jimmy Booth has spearheaded a project to assist the people of Haiti. These are only the tip of the iceberg where Deary is involved.
The Foundation selected Deary from among hundreds of community volunteers who were nominated from throughout the six-state New England region. In addition to being honored with this prestigious award the Patriots Foundation is expected to bestow a significant donation to the DKH Deary Memorial Cancer Fund.
This is a well deserved honor on a man who has worked on behalf of others without any personal gain or recognition. RPC extends congratulations to Peter Deary.
Danielson Rotary Preps
for Annual Tournament
Golfers who are looking for a great day on the links should mark their calendars for June 20 at Connecticut National Golf Club. On that day the Danielson Rotary club will be hosting its 21st Spider Burke Memorial Golf Tournament.
Registration for the scramble format shotgun start event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. with tee time 1 p.m. sharp. The cost is a reasonable $125 per golfer or $500 per foursome and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, skins game, refreshments, lunch and dinner, registration gift and team photo.
Mary Jane Burke, club president, promises that the red carpet will be laid out for all participants. Proceeds from the tourney are applied to the many charitable programs supported by the club, including a scholarship and the ever popular dictionary distribution program.
According to Co-chairmen Bob Chenail and Jay Long, sponsorships are available on a variety of levels, including Title ($2000), Gold ($1000), Silver ($500), Bronze ($300) and Tee ($125). Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, with $600 for first place, $400 for second and $200 for third. A special wild card prize of $200 will also be awarded. The usual closest-to-the-pin contests will be held on all par three holes and an automobile donated by King Cadillac GMC of Putnam will be presented for a hole-in-one. For more information or to register contact Chenail 860 923-0458 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Long 860 428-7661 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
New York Giants Coach Visits Woodstock
Woodstock Academy conducted its first scholar/athlete induction on May 19 at the Woodstock Academy Auditorium. A total of 53 junior and senior scholar/athletes were recognized for their achievement, commitment to athletics, outstanding character and involvement in the community.
On hand as the keynote speaker was former National Football League Super Bowl winning coach Kevin Gilbride of the New York Giants. Gilbride, a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, had an illustrious career as a college coach as well as an NFL assistant and head coach.
Another special moment in the program was the induction of longtime Academy physical education teacher and coach Bob Derrico as an honorary member of the Scholar/Athlete Honor Society.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of payments.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
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Joe pg 9 5-29-14
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By Ron P. Coderre
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin
On May 21, 2014 Putnam lost another member of its Greatest Generation with the passing of Gerard “Joe” Bousquet. Keeping in mind Franklin’s quote the death of “Joe” Bousquet, if it had to occur, could not have been timed more perfectly.
As Americans celebrate Memorial Day, remembering those who have given their lives in the Great Wars or who have served to preserve the freedom we enjoy today, the vision of “Joe” Bousquet riding in Putnam’s annual parade will be indelibly etched in the memories of those who knew and loved him.
Each year Bousquet would humbly participate in the parade, riding in a convertible and waving to the people lining the streets. It’s not that he required the notoriety, because everyone who knew him well will tell you that he never considered himself a hero though he was the recipient of the Silver Star for his service in WWII.
“Joe” Bousquet, known to many as “Chief,” was a few weeks away from celebrating his 90th birthday when he died. Born in Putnam in 1924 he was a young man of 18 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Two years later, he was part of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Army Division that on the urging of General Dwight D. Eisenhower invaded Normandy on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, and a day now known and honored as “D-Day.”
Although his obituary says he was a Rifleman, stories that have been passed on relate that he was one of the men responsible for laying communications lines across the beach head in the face of one of the fiercest onslaughts in military history.
He later was part of the U.S. Army that drove across Europe, including Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Germany culminating in the ultimate surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945. But to those who knew “Chief” these heroics were not something he spoke about openly, like so many of the men of his generation. He only felt he was doing his part of his patriotic duty to his country.
Following the war, Bousquet assumed his place in the fabric of his country and his community of Putnam. There are many memories of this American hero that go beyond the Memorial Day Parade. Memories that will now be something of the past but that will be cherished by his family and legion of friends.
We’ll remember “Joe” Bousquet as a man of faith who communed with his God every Saturday at the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Visitation Church.
He’ll be remembered at the Knights of Columbus where he organized the golf league and headed up the annual Christmas Appeal to raise funds to purchase toys for kids. (A memo to the Knights, it might be a fitting tribute to call the Christmas Appeal or K of C Golf League in memory of “Joe” Bousquet.)
He’ll be remembered as the owner, with his wife Sylvia of 55 years, of Joe’s Oil Service. And as tales are told, it was not unusual during the cold winter days for “Joe” to deliver oil, at no cost, to a family that could not afford to pay for the fuel. Part of his makeup as a good Christian person.
He’ll be remembered for the good times at his cottage on Quaddick Lake. And the friendly poker games where his favorite saying was, “Trips to win.”
He’ll be remembered as sitting quietly in the last row in the Putnam High School gym with his wife Sylvia and watching his daughters Sue and Leona play for the Clippers; his son Willie coach the Clipper men and women; his granddaughters Stephanie and Brittany play for the Lady Clippers.
But most of all he’ll be remembered as a good man who was a hero but never acted like a hero. Like so many others he was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and UConn athletic teams. He loved to play golf. He loved spending leisure time with his family and friends. He enjoyed life and always enjoyed a good laugh. He was a regular guy who never considered himself to be special despite his serve to his country.
At his request, everyone who attended his funeral and burial at St. Mary Cemetery was asked to drop a golf ball into his burial vault. There were also many tear drops that accompanied the golf balls as mourners passed his vault.
Another member of the dwindling number of America’s “Greatest Generation” has been laid to rest in the person of Gerard “Joe” Bousquet. He won’t be forgotten. Remember him and say “thank you” every time you see an American flag.
God bless Gerard “Joe” “Chief” Bousquet.
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Perfection pg 10 5-29-14
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By Ron P. Coderre
Killingly enjoyed another spotless week by picking up wins in two matches despite the fact that its top two golfers were unavailable for one of the matches. The Redmen are 15-0-0 and stand atop the Eastern Connecticut Conference Medium Division.
Tourtellotte despite a loss to rival Woodstock Academy raised its record to 15-2-0 and a perfect 10-0-0 to claim the ECC Small Division title. The Tigers picked up three shutout victories following the close loss to the Centaurs.
Putnam continues to play with only two golfers, Spencer Salvas and Nate Tozzi, however the Clippers must forfeit any team competition. Ellis Tech picked up three victories in the Constitution State Conference raising its record to 11-4-0. Woodstock Academy finally seems to warming up to the task of winning, as the Centaurs went 3-1 in their matches last week.
The Woodstock Academy girls are in a tight race with Norwich Free Academy for the top spot in the ECC. Last week they had one victory and tied its other match.
Tigers Clinch ECC Small Division
Tourtellotte and Woodstock Academy engaged in one of the most competitive matches of the season at Quinnatisset Country Club with the Centaurs emerging with a narrow 4-3 win. Tourtellotte’s ace Mike Jezierski finished as the medalist edging the Academy’s Jack Neill 37-39 but it wasn’t enough as the Centaurs captured team medal honors 171-176 to pick up the win. Brandon Bonnette and Andrew Coderre also won their matches for the Tigers.
The remainder of the week was 7-0 in favor of Tourtellotte as they handily beat Windham, Wheeler and Montville by identical scores. Jezierski was the medalist in all three matches, although he shared the honor with his teammate Bonnette against Montville as both shot a three over par 39 at Raceway Golf Club in Thompson.
Woodstock picked up a 6-1 win over Putnam and a 7-0 white washing of Fitch. The Centaurs were felled by Ledyard 6-1. In the Putnam match, the Clippers Salvas was medalist with a 35 at Quinny. Neill was medalist with a 39 in the win over Fitch. The only other time the Clippers were on the links, they forfeited their match at Norwich Golf Club to Norwich Tech despite the fact that Salvas was once again the medalist with a 39.
Killingly led by Drew Aitken’s 36 beat Waterford 6-1. In its other match Killingly bested Griswold 6-1 as the Aitken twins John and Drew were absent from the match. Connor Fillmore rose to the occasion. Playing out of the #1 slot, he shot a 39 at Connecticut National Golf Club to garner medalist honors. Connor Liebscher, Nick Davis and Cole Ricci were also victorious for the 15-0-0 Redmen.
Ellis Tech beat Windham 187-200, Grasso Tech 187-223 and Classical Magnet 188-212 to raise its record to 11-4-0. Matt Snay was the Eagles top golfer in all three matches. Plainfield picked up a victory over New London 5-2 but lost to Bacon Academy 7-0 and Stonington 7-0. The Panthers are 3-13-0 and 2-9-0 in the ECC Medium Division.
Centaur Ladies Beat Bacon & Tie Weston
The Woodstock Academy women’s golf team raised its record to 7-5-1 with a win and a tie last week. The Lady Centaurs handily topped Bacon Academy 215-278 as Roxanne Garceau was the Woodstock low scorer with a 48. Elaina Becher, Alice Meng and Eva Yu also picked up wins for Woodstock. In its only other match the team tied with Weston at 212 apiece.
RPC’s Super Standings: Killingly 15-0-0; Tourtellotte 15-2-0; Putnam 13-7-0; Ellis Tech 11-4-0; Woodstock Academy 7-12-0; Pomfret School 6-5-0; Plainfield 3-13-0; Marianapolis 2-10-0. Girls: Woodstock Academy 7-5-1.