By Ron P. Coderre

Most teams in American Legion Zone VI have reached the three quarter mark in their 27-game schedule.  The next two weeks of action are pivotal for TriTown, Danielson and Moosup as they vie for the fifth and final qualifying spot in the American Legion postseason tournament.

Niantic and New London appear to have a strangle hold on the top two spots in the Zone standings.  Waterford, which is much more vulnerable, currently occupies the third slot and a determined Jewett City squad is just behind Waterford.

Currently, TriTown, Danielson and Willimantic are sitting just off the qualifying spot.  Moosup, which started the season at 1-7, has been coming on strongly.  Although Post #91 is 6-12 they recently took two-of-three from both TriTown and Danielson.

TriTown, which is 8-10, appears to have the horses to make a run but the Towners must learn how to finish off games they should be winning.  Confidence appears to be a missing ingredient with this club.  Danielson, which has been competitive, is a young team.  This factor may work against them.  Moosup is a dark horse although Post #91 is still facing some tough games down the stretch.

In addition to losing two to Moosup, Danielson was in a tough three-game series with Niantic.  TriTown had a light week, winning one of three from Waterford.  Moosup was looking forward to more wins following the Danielson series as they prepped for three games against Willimantic.

TriTown Falls Twice to Waterford

In a week in which it played only three games, TriTown dropped two-of-three to Waterford in a series that could have seen the Towners win two of the games.  The opener of the series went to Waterford 3-2 despite a Herculean pitching effort by the Towners Jake Dutcher, who went the distance in the loss.  Waterford came from two runs down in the bottom of the sixth inning to squeeze by TriTown.  Ryan Gadoury had two hits and an RBI in the loss.

The next evening at home TriTown was still reeling from the previous contest and fell big 10-0 to Waterford.  Thanks to a complete game shutout by Zach Cutler, TriTown was able to salvage the finale of the series 3-0.  Cutler was masterful in limiting Waterford to only one hit.  TriTown is 8-10 with nine games remaining and a shot at the postseason still on the horizon.

In the opening game of the Danielson-Moosup three-game series Drew Daley of Danielson outdueled Dylan Horn as the Recs edged Post #91 2-1.  The winning run came home on a squeeze play that was perfectly executed by Harrison Basley, scoring Eli Majek with the winner.

The following evening Moosup went to its ace, David Carpenter, and he didn’t disappoint.  Carpenter, the beneficiary of some strong defense by his mates, threw a complete game shutout at Danielson winning 3-0.  Jeff Nicolosi had an RBI for Moosup.

The finale of the series went to Moosup 5-3 thanks to the bat of Colby Greenhalgh.  He walloped a bases clearing double to secure the win for Moosup.

In a game that had been postponed earlier, Danielson was shut down completely by Waterford 14-0.   The young Danielson team continued its struggles dropping a holiday weekend doubleheader to Niantic by scores of 4-0 and 5-3. 

After being shutout in the lid lifter, Danielson was able to come alive somewhat with the bats thanks to Majek who contributed a pair of RBI in the loss.  Danielson is 5-10 on the season.

Moosup continued its steady but shaky rise, splitting a twinbill with Willimantic.  Post #91 prevailed in the opener 5-1, receiving run producing hits from Sage Louis, Carpenter, Jordan Federer and Steve Jankowski.  In the nightcap, Willimantic eked out a 7-6 victory.  Jankowski and Nicolosi each had two RBI in the loss.  The finale of the series went to Willimantic 6-5 in a 10 inning affair.  The loss dropped Moosup to 6-12 on the season with less than two weeks remaining.