By Ron P. Coderre

The TriTown Senior American Legion Baseball team will feature a new look on the field for the 2015 season.  Beginning with the coaching staff and on the field, the new look Towners are anxious to get the season underway.

For the first time in more than a decade a new face will assume the head coaching position with the retirement of longtime coach Paul Faucher.  Jon Foucault, an assistant coach at Putnam High School, is moving up from the Junior ranks to take the helm of the Senior program.  He’ll be assisted by Jared Carignan, John Donovan and Dan Durand, all former Junior coaches.

“I’m honored to assume the coaching role for the Senior team.  In preparing for the job I’ve consulted with former coach Faucher to get up to speed as quickly as possible.  I’m very excited because I’ve worked with many of the players on the Junior level,” said Foucault.

Foucault notes that in many respects this will be a young team, with the majority of the players coming up from last season’s Junior team.  The team has two tested veterans, both who recently finished their first year of college.

Benny Brissette, a second baseman who is back after a year at Salve Regina, and J.P. Bergeron, a catcher and third baseman who is back from his freshman year at the University of New Haven, are expected to provide the leadership and experience.

“These two guys (Brissette and Bergeron) are solid individuals who have contributed to our success in the past.  I feel that they’re up to the task of helping the younger players as they acclimate to the more competitive Senior program,” said Foucault.

Despite its youth, the team appears to have some depth in the pitching department with seven strong arms as they face a 27-game schedule over a five-week period.  Ryan Gadoury, who pitched at Woodstock Academy and Nicholas Foucault, the ace of the Putnam staff this spring are TriTown’s one and two starters.  They’ll be backed by Jared Carignan (Ellis Tech), Joe Donovan (Tourtellotte) and Kyle Tyler (Woodstock).  Newcomer Alex Angelo is also expected to see action on the mound.  Josh Allard (Putnam) is expected to be the closer but could also see action as a spot starter.

“Our pitching depth should serve us well.  To succeed in Legion ball solid pitching is a must,” said Foucault.

Jacob Guertin, who was Putnam’s catcher this spring, is slotted as the Towners receiver.  Guertin, who is a savvy baseball mind, is also expected to provide some punch at the plate.  He’ll be backed by J.P. Bergeron. 

Around the horn, Tyler will start at first base when not on the hill.  Brissette who should provide some offensive power will handle second base where he’ll team with Foucault at short to form the keystone combination.  Bergeron is ticketed to open at the hot corner.  Carignan, who is a versatile infielder, will fill in around the infield.  

Also expected to see plenty of action in the infield is Gadoury (first base), Jared Durand (second base), Donovan (second base and shortstop) and Angelo (shortstop).

Allard is expected to start in center field, where he’ll be backed by Angelo.  Left field will be handled by Zach Cutler, Carignan and Tyler, while Durand, Evan Tremblay and Devin Belanger will patrol right field.

The Putnam twins, Noah and Logan, are expected to see Senior action but are also expected to play at the Junior level.

“Our defense is solid up the middle with Guertin, Brissette, Foucault and Allard.  They should provide the necessary support for our pitching staff,” said Foucault.

The offense is expected to come from Brissette, Tyler, Bergeron and Guertin, although many of the younger players come to the program after experiencing success with the bat on the Junior level and in high school.

The Towners face a difficult schedule with three-game series against local rivals Moosup and Danielson.  They’ll also face the iron form Southeastern Connecticut in the form of New London, Waterford, Ledyard-Pawcatuck and Niantic.  A game against Jewett City is scheduled for Dodd Stadium in Norwich on Friday, June 26.

Last season TriTown finished with a 13-17 log, but were competitive in all of their games.  The mix of veterans with youth that has experienced success at the Junior level bodes well for the upcoming season.

“These kids have great chemistry and like playing together.  Even though they compete against each other in the spring, they have a knack of coming together for the Legion season. Many have worked on all aspects of their game during the winter months,” said Foucault.

The goal for this season is to be in every game and qualify for the post season.  Although the players come from four different high schools they have played together in the past and in fall baseball.  If they can come together quickly as a unit they should have an opportunity to achieve their postseason goal.