TriTown looks

for improvement

entering 

Legion season

By Ron P. Coderre

Paul Faucher has been involved with the TriTown American Legion Baseball program as a player, assistant coach and head coach for more than two decades.  Embarking on the 2014 season, Faucher returns for another stint at the helm of the Towners.

Following an 8-19 season in 2013 Faucher is looking to guide his charges to an improved record this year and a possible berth in the Connecticut American Legion Tournament.  Last season the Towners dropped seven one-run games, which if converted to victories would have resulted in 15 wins.

“We’ll go as far as our pitching will take us.  This is a tough zone with many of teams made up of players from larger schools.  We have a number of arms but some of our pitchers were in college this spring and didn’t play baseball.  The start of the season will be like spring training for them,” said Faucher.

Garrett Ponte, Josh Malboeuf and Tyler Anderson are three hurlers who are post-grads.  Faucher is hoping they’ll come along quickly because their experience could be a big factor in carrying the success of the team.  Faucher is also looking to get pitching help from Josh Allard, Jim Cutler, Kyle Tyler, Steve Bettner, Sean Falvey and newcomer Will Bourgeois.

The strength of the team is the catching department, which will be handled by veteran J.P. Bergeron.  Last season, Bergeron, who is also adept with the bat, caught every inning for the Senior squad.  Bergeron will be backed up by Jacob Guertin, who will also serve as the primary backstop for the Junior unit.

 The infield will be anchored by Ben Ross and Benny Brissette, both who have infield versatility.  Ross is a second baseman and shortstop, while Brissette can play second and third.  Big Sean Falvey will be a staple at either third base or first.  He’s also expected to carry some of the hitting load for the Towners.

Ponte and Malboeuf as well as Bourgeois will see plenty of action in the infield when they’re not on the mound.  Luke Sarsfield, who had a productive spring for Putnam will see action at the hot corner and Nick Foucault and Joe Donovan, who’ll also play for the Junior squad could be called on for help in bolstering the infield.

Ben Guimont, Anderson, Dan Murphy, Bettner, Allard, and Tyler compose the TriTown outfield.

“We should have a solid hitting team.  The kids who played high school ball this spring played for winning programs and were part of their team’s success,” said Faucher.

The team will face a rugged schedule playing three-game sets locally with Danielson, Moosup and Jewett City.  Both the Junior and Senior teams enjoyed playing at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, home of the Norwich Tigers on June 23 against Jewett City.  Among the other entries the team will face are Niantic, Waterford, New London, Ledyard-Pawcatuck, Montville, Willimantic and Norwich.  With 11 teams in Zone VI the teams play 30 games in five week, a grueling task.

“This is a veteran squad with built in flexibility but we’ll need every bit of energy and effort if we want to get to the State Tournament.  To do so we must finish in the top five teams in our zone,” said Faucher.

This season more than 30 players tried out for the team, the most in recent history.  The large number allows TriTown the ability to field two separate teams with only three players being double-rostered.

“This is our best turnout of candidates in many years.  It’s encouraging to note that the players are realizing the type of quality baseball American Legion provides.  We’re hoping that this trend continues,” said Joe Lindley, the secretary of the Executive Committee.

Assisting Faucher with the coaching duties are Andrew Faucher, Tyler Smith and Gunnar Andersen.  John Donovan is the team’s scorekeeper and Mike Santerre and Barry Shead the off-field general managers.

 

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