Baseball/Softball Wrap-up

Plainfield

reaches CIAC

semifinals

By Ron P. Coderre

Plainfield was the lone northeastern Connecticut baseball team to emerge victorious in the CIAC Tournament, as the Panthers won First and Second Round games and then pulled off a nailbiter in the Quarterfinals.  Coach Jason Chaviaras’ team played Tuesday in a semifinal game against Haddam Killingworth, a winner over East Catholic in a Quarterfinal contest.

Putnam, Ellis tech and Woodstock Academy were all eliminated in the opening round of tournament competition.

The results on the softball side of the ledger weren’t much more encouraging.  Putnam, Killingly and Plainfield all dropped opening round contests, while Ellis tech the only local team to advance was eliminated in the Second Round.

Plainfield on Another Hot Streak

After losing the Championship game of the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament, the Plainfield Panthers went on another run in their quest for the Connecticut Class M title.  Due to their 22-3 record and #2 seed in the Class M bracket, the Panthers were fortunate to play all three tournament games on their home turf.

Plainfield ace Mike Esposito took the mound in the First round game and stifled Plainville on four hits as his mates banged out 10 hits in an easy 10-1 victory.  Esposito, the April ECC Athlete of the Month, also had a triple to pace the Panther offense.

The Second Round game was a struggle but like all good teams, Plainfield managed to eke out a victory.  The Panthers rode the strong arm of Jason Federer to a 3-2 win over #15 Granby.  The winning Panther run came in the home half of the seventh inning when catcher Jason Biesadecki coaxed a bases-loaded walk of losing hurler Nick Hartman to force in the winning run.  

Despite committing five errors, which is unusual for this Plainfield team, Federer was cool under fire.  He limited Granby to only four hits.  Federer helped his cause with a double as did centerfielder Steve Jankowski, who also had a two bagger.

The Panthers who are beginning to give their loyal fans gray hair, waited until late in the game again as they pulled the Quarterfinal contest out of the fire 6-5 in an eight-inning affair with Suffield.  Esposito (8-1) was the winning pitcher.

Jankowski, who seems to have the knack of being in key situations and delivering, was the hero.  His opposite field base hit into a sun-drenched rightfield scored pinch runner Kevin Roode with the game winning tally.  Earlier in the game Jankowski contributed an RBI triple that temporarily put the Panthers in the lead 4-3.  In addition to battling his way to victory on the mound, Esposito contributed two doubles to the winning cause.

Plainfield had a number of heroes in the win.  In addition to Esposito and Jankowski (3-4 and three RBIS), Ryan Pambuku, more recognized for his basketball prowess, contributed a key single and catcher Biesadecki and shortstop Garet Griffin turned in stellar performances.  The win was truly a team effort. 

Trinity Catholic travelled all the way to Putnam from Stamford for a First Round game and made the trip pleasurable with a 10-1 trouncing of the Clippers.  Nick Foucault endured the loss as the Clippers could only muster two hits.  Putnam concludes its season at 12-9 but with a seven-game losing skid.

Woodstock Academy’s fate wasn’t much better than Putnam, as the Centaurs were white washed by Pomperaug 13-0.  Will Bourgeois suffered the loss on the hill for the Acads who conclude the season at 10-11.  Ellis Tech was shutout by Haddam Killingworth 10-0.  The Eagles finish the season at 12-9.

Win Column Eludes local Softball Teams in CIAC Tournament

Ellis Tech and Putnam hooked up in a tight CIAC First Round game with the Lady Techsters emerging victorious 5-3.  The Eagles scored single runs in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to salt away the win.  Sheriden Murphy of Ellis Tech outdueled Putnam’s Mackenzie Livingston for the win.  Miranda Baublitz with a double and Murphy who helped her cause with a triple were the hitting stars for Ellis Tech.  Putnam concludes its season at 11-9.

The Eagles then faced #3 Coventry in the Second Round and were shutout 15-0 as they could only muster two hits.  Ellis Tech finishes its season at 11-8.

Plainfield was eliminated by Oxford 12-0 on a one-hitter by Ashley Guillette.  The Lady Panthers close the book on 2014 with an 8-13 record.  

Killingly and pitcher Taylor Duchesneau lost a heartbreaker to Platt Tech 2-1.  The Techsters scored the winning run in the bottom half of the seventh inning.  Mikayla Pasco had a triple for Killingly, which ended its season at 8-13.

RPC’s Super Standings – Baseball: Plainfield 23-3; Putnam 12-9; Ellis Tech 12-9; Woodstock Academy 10-11; Marianapolis 9-7; Tourtellotte 6-13; Killingly 5-15; Pomfret School 4-2; Putnam Science Academy 1-6.

RPC’s Super Standings – Softball: Marianapolis 11-2; Ellis Tech 11-8; Putnam 11-9; Killingly 8-13; Plainfield 8-13; Pomfret School 7-4; Tourtellotte 7-12; Woodstock Academy 2-18.

 

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