Hall sweeps the season series between the West Hartford rivals.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Paul Palmer

Grant Davidson struck out five and surrendered just three hits in six innings of work, and Burke Reynolds had three RBI on two hits as Hall beat Conard 9-1 in the annual West Hartford Mayor’s Cup baseball game Monday afternoon at the University of Hartford’s Fiondella Field.

“I didn’t want to fall behind,” said Davidson of his strategy. “I wanted to throw first pitch strikes and that helps with the off-speed stuff.” The win, combined with an earlier victory over the Red Wolves in the First Responders game, gave the Titans the season sweep.

Both Davidson and Conard starter Calvin Borio cruised through the first inning of work. In the second it was Hall building base runners with a walk, a single, and three stolen bases to set up Reynolds for his RBI single to right field to make it 1-0.

The Wolves answered with their only run of the game in the top of the third. It started with a Hall error and then singles by Raymond Lamoureux and Liam Heaney loaded the bases with one out. Jaden Kass then rapped into the fielder’s choice to score the run and tie it at 1.

The Titans had their first big inning of the game in the bottom half of the third. After giving up a bunt and issuing a walk, Borio struck out the next two batters. Once again Hall used stolen bases, and a walk loaded them up for Reynolds who delivered again, this time with a two-run single.

“We have a bunch of young guys with talent, “ Reynolds said. “Our coach loves base running and I was just trying to not swing at anything outside the  box.” Hall would add another on a balk before Borio picked up another strikeout to end the inning.

Hall put the game away in the fourth with a four-run inning. The first three batters walked to load the bases with no one out. After a strikeout, Tom Hussey hit a slow roller to third, and the throw home to get the force bounced off the catcher’s glove, allowing two runs to score. A fielder’s choice brought home another run and then Max Hanawalt drilled a long fly ball to right field  that reached the wall on a single hop. As Hanawalt rounded first he collided with the Conard first baseman. He was awarded second base and Hussey was awarded home. That would be the last batter that Borio faced.

“I am proud of the way he pitched,” said Conard head coach Brendan Smith. “I though he was locating and he challenged a great hitting team.”

The Titans tacked one more on in the sixth and Matt LaBreck shut down Conard in the top of the seventh to end things at 9-1.

Hall coach Nick Sanford was pleased with the way his team played, and praised the effort by Davidson. “All year he beat up the zone and we knew we’d play great defensive behind him today,’ said the head coach.

Hall had nine stolen bases in the game, highlighting their base-running talents. “Our identity is causing chaos on the bases and putting pressure on the other team,” Sanford said. “It has brough us a lot of success.”

Next up for the Titans is the season finale against Lewis Mills on Wednesday and a chance for a 15th win against just five loses on the season.

“We want that last win,” said the coach. “Fifteen could get us one or two home games in the state tournament.”

For Conard, he loss moves them to 4-14 with two more games to play – Tuesday and Wednesday against Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central. Although it has been a down season, Smith said he is proud of his team, especially his seniors. “We have four seniors, all captains, and every one of then has left a lasting impact on this program,” Smith said. “I couldn’t wish for a better four. As a team they never say die.”

For his two hits and three RBI, Hall’s Reynolds was named the MVP of the game.

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