Conard and Hall met for the first of two times this season on Wednesday, May 6, in a game that was as much about raising money for a good cause as it was about the crosstown rivalry.

Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The bleachers and the sidelines were packed with fans, many decked out in pink, as West Hartford’s high schools met on the Conard baseball diamond Wednesday afternoon for a game where winning was as much about raising money for “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” as it was about the score.

The game supported breast cancer survivor Lynn Torsiello’s team, “Lynn’s Hope,” which will take part in October’s “Making Strides for Breast Cancer” event in Bushnell Park.

According to Torsiello, $1,000 was raised on Wednesday. “I’m very proud of everyone involved!” Torsiello said.

Conard co-captain Jordan Muchin, whose family is friends with Torsiello, was motivated to raise money in support of his family friend after participating in a breast cancer fundraising game in Southington last year. He and fellow co-captain Alex White organized Wednesday’s event.

The Conard team wore bright pink jerseys, and Hall players wore royal blue jerseys with pink lettering.

Torsiello threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Conard’s Joe Celio before the game began. Breast cancer survivors Kim Green and Ronni Newton also threw out pitches to their sons, Conard players Torrie Green and Sam Newton. Hall’s Neil Kelley caught a pitch thrown by 5-year-old Christopher Bowman, son of Hall football coach Craig Bowman. Christopher Bowman is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Hall won the game, 7-4, with senior captain Patrick McHale pitching six of the seven innings and earning the win. Francis Byrne came in as relief in the seventh inning.

Senior captain Jordan Muchin went the distance for Conard.

Hall’s scoring was spread out, with captain Neil Kelley (two runs), Tim Dickson, McHale, Josh Singer, Dylan Rosenbaum, and Derek Berube (as pinch runner for Omar Montalvo) crossing the plate. Kelley had two hits.

Conard captain Alex White had a triple and scored. PJ Melly scored two runs, and Lucas Busch, who had two hits, also scored.

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Cancer survivors throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Tim Dickson. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard’s Lucas Busch at 3rd base. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard pitcher Jordan Muchin. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall catcher Dylan Rosenbaum. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Patrick McHale. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall pitcher Patrick McHale. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Patrick Melly. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Torrie Green. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Alex White slides into 3rd base. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Jordan Muchin. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Parker Murray rounds first. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Brian Santoro. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chris Bowman rounds the bases after the game. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard varsity baseball team. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall varsity baseball team. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Becky and Craig Bowman (back row) with their children Christopher (5) and Allison (2). Christopher, who is receiving treatment for cancer, threw out a ceremonial pitch. Conard vs. Hall baseball. May 6, 2015. Photo credit: Ronni Newton