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Nick Short slides into second base on opening day. Photo by Glenn Ellsworth.
POMFRET/EASTFORD --- The Sergeant Joseph Phaneuf Baseball League opened its third season last week and it appeared that the balance the league prided itself on would not be found this season.
The Putnam Vision team opened with a strong 12-2 game as Nick Fucot silences the Pete’s Drive-In team. Nothing seemed to work for Pete's as the game ended after 5 innings. Chase Graphics continued the strong showing for Putnam as they defeated Archambault Insurance 12-0 in another lopsided victory. Pomfret’s only hope lay with The Paquette Electric Tigers who battled Putnam Police before stellar defense shut down the Tigers and the Putnam Police Pirates took home a 6-4 victory completing the Putnam sweep.
When Saturday rolled around Pomfret's teams rose to the occasion and gave Putnam a clear message that they intend to battle the entire season. In the morning game Alex Aleszczyk started his first major league game for the PELL Pete’s Drive-In team. Supported by a powerful offense led by Cal Wilcox (3 hits) and Nathan DeLuca (3 hits) Pete’s shut down the Putnam Vision Red Sox 13-0. Peter Calabrese had a double and a key catch and Conor Hanlon closed the game with a pair of K’s.
The afternoon matches were not as lopsided as Jack Archambault pitched the Archambault Insurance team to a 3-2 victory. Jack also belted his first home run to back his solid pitching with offense. At the same time Paquette Electric Tigers brought a 4-4 tie into the bottom of the 6th . Needing one run for the victory Ryan Black, who had been sidelined earlier in the game after being hit by a pitch led off and reached base. On the following pitch a missed bunt attempt and steal confused the Putnam Police Pirates and Ryan raced around the bases with the winning run.
The Sergeant Joseph Phaneuf Baseball League was formed in 2008 as a competitive baseball league for the Putnam and Pomfret Eastford Little Leagues. Naming the league was a way for each town to memorialize Joe who grew up playing Little League Baseball in Putnam and later coached Little League while living in Eastford. Sgt Phaneuf was killed in Afghanistan in December of 2006.