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TriTown A.L.
encouraged
by return
of veterans
By Ron P. Coderre
Looking to bounce back from a 3-26 season in 2012 with a young and inexperienced team on the field, TriTown Senior American Legion baseball is optimistically preparing for the upcoming 2013 Zone VI season. Veteran coach Paul Faucher, with more than 10 seasons under his belt and entering his fourth as the head coach, will once again guide the diamond fortunes of the Towners.
Stressing the need for a deep pitching staff and solid defensive play, Faucher and his staff welcomed 30 candidates for tryouts earlier this month. The call for candidates produced the return of six veterans from last season, two players who missed last season and a pair of hopefuls with experience.
According to Faucher it appears that the pitching department has at least five strong arms entering the first week of play. Back from last season is Josh Malboeuf, Garrett Ponte, Mike Thienel and Tim Cutler. Joining the pitching staff is newcomer Ty Anderson. Cutler, a crafty lefty, can start and relieve but most likely will fill the role of closer.
The catching duties will go to returner J.P. Bergeron, a solid defensive backstop with a good arm. He’ll be backed by Ponte, who’ll also start at first base when not on the mound. The remainder of the infield will see Benny Brissette, returning after a year away, starting at second base. He’ll form the double play combination with Thienel, who’ll also be looked to for hitting and overall leadership of the team. The hot corner will be manned by 6-foot, 4-inch Sean Falvey, a solid fielder who possesses a rifle arm. Falvey is back after losing the entire 2012 season to an injury.
Albie Bruso will anchor the outfield from his center field slot. He’ll be flanked by Guimont, who played for Woodstock Academy this spring, in left and Cutler in right. Anderson is capable of filling in at all three fly chasing positions. Slated to see action in a backup role are Steve Bettner and James Cutler.
Offensively the Towners will have to breakout their hitting shoes if they hope to compete. Faucher is looking for Thienel, Ponte, Malboeuf, Bruso and Falvey to provide power. Cutler, Bergeron, Brissette, Guimont and Anderson should create havoc on the base paths for opposing teams.
Another key to the success of this team according to Coach Faucher is the mental aspect of the game. The veteran returnees will have to put the previous season out of their minds and demonstrate through leadership that they can turn the results of 2012 around.
The large turnout of candidates gives Faucher the added luxury of having six players he can double roster. This will give the youngsters an opportunity to get a taste of senior competition, while getting plenty of playing time on the junior team. Among the double roster players are Kyle Tyler, Doug Gerrity, pitcher Jared Carignan, Jared Durand, pitcher Ryan Gadoury and catcher Jacob Guertin. All of these players were on high school rosters this spring and a number played for the 2012 Putnam team that captured the District Senior League title.
Working with Faucher on the coaching staff is former TriTown standout Andrew Faucher, Tyler Smith and Gunnar Anderson, who will also assist with the junior program.
The first goal of the 2013 edition of TriTown American Legion is to surpass last season’s win total. The staff and players are looking to prove that they belong in the thick of the 10-team Zone VI race. They have the personnel and experience but must overcome the losing mentality of previous seasons. All around depth could be a factor in this tightly packed 29-game schedule.
Early Games Produce First Victory
Following the first three games of the 2013 season, the TriTown American Legion entry already has one-third as many wins as the team produced in 2012.
Dodging rain drops throughout the week, the Towners travelled to Moosup for a contest against the Post 91 entry on Wednesday. The visiting TriTown came home with a 7-5 victory thanks to the pitching of Mike Thienel and the relief work of Tim Cutler, who entered the game in the seventh inning and quelled a Moosup rally.
Coach Faucher credited the entire team with the victory. “Last season we would have crumbled under the pressure of this type situation. The experience of this season’s team helped to pull off the win,” said Faucher.
In the first two game of the season, the Towners dropped a doubleheader to New London, 5-0 and 2-0, despite strong pitching performances by Josh Malboeuf and Garrett Ponte. Malboeuf gave up eight hits in the opener but was hampered by three errors behind him. TriTown could only muster two hits, one each by Sean Falvey and Mike Thienel.
In the nightcap the Towners were no-hit by Tristan Hurley and Bryan Cespedes. Ponte was the tough luck loser, allowing only two hits while striking out seven New London hitters.