Tri-Town pg 9 6-14-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
Despite being able to get in some extra days to work out prior to the regular season, the Tri-Town American Legion baseball team enters the season with an uphill battle as it embarks on a rugged 30-game schedule. The Towners, under veteran head coach Paul Faucher, return nine players from last season’s senior and junior teams but still appear to lack depth and experience, two ingredients necessary to make an impact in the competitive Zone VI.
Returning from last season’s 6-21 team are Brady Matteau, Tim Cutler, Devon Marquis, Garrett Ponte, Jon Peterson and Nick Darras. Up from last year’s junior team, which qualified for the State Tournament are Dan Murphy, Kris Bates and Jacob Rivard. Among the newcomers expected to help out are Michael Thienel, Josh Malboeuf and Albert Bruso. Among the remaining first-time players hoping to make the team are JP Bergeron, Kyle Tyler, Robert Newton, Jared Durand, Jared Carignan, James Cutler and Joey Donovan.
“This is still a young team despite the fact that we return nine players who were with us previously. We’ll probably be experimenting for a while before we settle into a fixed lineup. It’s all part of American Legion baseball, which crams 30 games into a five-week season,” said coach Faucher.
Pitching, which baseball people say is 75 percent of the game, is at a premium for this year’s entry. Although Faucher can count 10 arms on his current staff, gone is the ace and stopper of the mound crew David St. Lawrence. It appears that Devon Marquis and Jon Peterson are the leading candidates to succeed St. Lawrence. Others expected to get a good look from the coaching staff and expected to see action on the hill are veterans Brady Matteau, Dan Murphy and Nick Darras, while Jacob Rivard, Tim Cutler and Kris Bates will get a solid look-see.
Garrett Ponte, who had a solid first season with the seniors last summer, is expected to handle the bulk of the catching duties. When he’s not behind the dish he may be called on to do some hurling for the young Towners.
“Pitching depth is every coach’s nightmare. It seems like you never have enough arms for this type of season. I feel that if our guys can throw strikes we’ll have an opportunity to compete,” said Faucher.
Many of Faucher’s players have played the infield but experience again is a factor. First-year man Thienel should help to shore up the defense, which could also see Murphy at third base. Second base and the initial sack jobs appear to be up for grabs. Many of the outfield candidates are also infielders. First timer Bruso, who played for Putnam, should help in the fly chasing department.
“Defense will be very important to this team. With an inexperienced pitching staff, the guys in the field will have to perform if we expect to be in all our games,” said Faucher.
The home season opens tonight at Tourtellotte Memorial High School’s Tiger Field against local foe Moosup with the game being broadcast live by John Wilbur on WINY Radio. The rugged schedule doesn’t have any laughers, with the likes of New London, Niantic, Norwich, Montville, Waterford and Ledyard-Pawcatuck from the Southeast and local entries Danielson and Jewett City looming on the horizon. Former Zone VI entry Willimantic is back and plays the Towners on July 7 and 8.
“It’s difficult to predict where we will be in this zone. My main objective with these youngsters is to have them play competitive baseball and believe in themselves and their abilities. We want them to enjoy a good baseball experience,” said Faucher.
Assisting Faucher with the coaching duties is Tyler Smith, Charlie Darras and Andrew Faucher.