Conard hosted Maloney Friday afternoon on senior day in West Hartford.

Luis Vargas slides in head first to beat the throw. Conard vs. Maloney baseball. April 23, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

By Paul Palmer

Thinks started out about as well as anyone could have hoped for the Conard boys baseball team Friday. First the team’s dozen seniors were honored along with their parents. Then starting pitcher David Cantarella struck out two of the first three Spartan hitters he faced, and retired the other on a ground ball.

In the bottom of the opening frame, Michael Weiss led off with a double, then Cantarella drove a ball to right center that rode the wind blowing out that way, and it carried over the fence for a two-run home run. The Chieftains would scratch out a third run to take the lead after one.

Conard’s David Cantarella celebrates with teammates after hitting a 2-run home run Friday. Conard vs. Maloney baseball. April 23, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Cantarella would strike out the side in the top of the second, on a day when he would finish with 12 Ks.

Each team pushed runs across in the third. First, the Spartans’ Joziah Gonzalez used that same wind to smack a two-run homer to right. And in the bottom half, Conard senior second baseman Luis Vargas would single, steal second, and them go around to score on Jack Ferrucci’s single.

Conard center fielder Michael Weiss (#3) and right fielder Evan Smart (#12) can only watch Joziah Gonzalez’s HR clear the fence for Maloney. Conard vs. Maloney baseball. April 23, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Maloney added a run in the fifth to tie things at 4. And then the wheels came off for the Chieftains one inning later.

“We came out hot, playing great and then fell asleep,” said Conard first-year coach Brendan Smith.

Conard first baseman Kaleb Dejesus holds the Maloney runner on. Conard vs. Maloney baseball. April 23, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

In the sixth, the Spartans would bat around and break the game open with six runs on seven hits. Catcher Kam Hartenstein blistered a double over first base that kicked up the chalk and drove in two. Shortstop Joe Rodriguez would later knock in two more with his single to right and Maloney was at 10 runs.

“We’ve got to play seven full innings,” said Smith. “We came out hot today, then we let the mistakes compile.”

The Spartans pushed one more across in the top of the seventh, before Conard was able to score a pair on a fly ball that got lost in the sun and a passed ball to make it an 11-6 final score.

The Chieftains fall to 1-5 on the season and face Southington on Monday. Despite the result, their head coach sees some good in Friday’s loss.

“I’m proud of how we responded, and if you take that sixth out of the game, we got a ballgame.”

Conard pitcher David Cantarella connects on a 2-run homer. Conard vs. Maloney baseball. April 23, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Luis Vargas singles. Conard vs. Maloney baseball. April 23, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Kaleb Dejesus follows through on his swing. Conard vs. Maloney baseball. April 23, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.