Tristan Baron throws a gem in West Hartford’s 1-0 win.
Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance
Chase Hanawalt appears to make the tag on Aiden Palen, but the runner was called safe. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
By Paul Palmer
It was a pitcher’s duel from start to finish as American Legion Post 96’s 19U baseball team advanced in the Senior Legion State Tournament with a nail-biting 1-0 win over Tri-County.
Former Conard pitcher Tristan Baron gutted out 6 and 2/3 innings while battling a hamstring injury. “ He wants the game ball,” said coach Sean McCann of his hurler. “ He wants to be in that position.”
Baron injured the hamstring earlier in the week, and re-aggravated it running out a ground ball in the second inning Thursday. “It was painful, but I had enough adrenaline. It’s probably the last time I’ll play at Conard as I’m aging out,” Baron, who graduated in 2023, said after giving up five hits in 6 2/3 innings.
In Tuesday’s 5-3 win over Naugatuck, Post 96 suffered through some sloppy defensive play and allowed the visitors back in the game. Thursday the defense was solid, running down fly balls and turning timely double plays. They would need that defense as Tri-County’s Alex Zimmerman nearly matched Baron’s output on the mound.
McCann’s strategy during the season and now in the post-season has been to try to prolong the early innings, forcing the opposing pitcher to build up a pitch count. Even if they do not score, McCann said getting runners on base is nearly as important. “We worked their pitcher with high stress innings. We can do that pretty well despite not always crossing the plate,” said McCann.
Calvin Cianflone slides into second ahead of the throw on his second inning double. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
The early payoff for West Hartford came in the first inning courtesy of a two-out rally. John Kane singled and then stole second. Chase Hanawalt worked a walk to put two runners on for Brendan Grady who delivered a run-scoring single back up the middle. Baron would reach base on an error before Zimmerman struck out Myles Fournier. But by sending seven batters to the plate in the opening frame, they accomplished the game plan.
In the bottom of the second inning one of two plays at first base got the crowd howling. With two outs, Jeremiah Bobbi grounded to third and Kane’s throw pulled Hanawalt off the base. He came down with the throw and he and Bobbi collided before the runner go to the base. Bobbi tumbled into the grass and was called out by the umpire.
One inning later it was nearly the same play but with a different result. This time it was Aiden Palen with the infield groundball. Hannawalt fielded it and raced towards the base, appearing to tag Palen on the elbow before he touched the base and the two collided. This time the runner was ruled safe. But Baron struck out the next two and induced a 4-3 groundout to end the inning.
Damien Wiktor is safe on the head-first slide into third. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
In the bottom of the fourth, West Hartford threatened again. Damian Wiktor singled with one out and advanced to third on an error by the Tri-County second baseman. This time it was the visitors showing good defense as shortstop Chris Lusignan turned in the first of two double plays. Each time he got the out at second himself, then threw on to first to end the innings.
In the top of the sixth with the game still 1-0, Post 96 turned in a pair of web gems. First it was Kane fielding the ball at the edge of the grass on the short hop to throw out Beckett Asklar. After a single by Lusignan, his counterpart Myles Fournier returned the favor turning the double play in the same fashion. “ Most of the credit tonight goes to my defense,” said Baron after the game. “They made so many plays. That double play saved my pitch count.”
Tristan Baron gets congratulations on his effort. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
With Tri-County down to its last three outs of the game, they nearly pulled off a rally, chasing Baron from the game in the process. Zimmerman started things with a single, but Baron got Baden Plante to fly out to short left. Grady nearly turned it into a double play as his throw to first nearly caught Zimmerman before he got back to the base. After getting the second out of the inning, Baron walked pinch hitter Ben Darrow to make it two-on and two-out. McCann opted to lift Baron and brought in Nolan Wusterbarth to close things out. He did just that by getting Jayson Beal to fly out to right to end the game at 1-0.
When asked about the difference in the way his team played – especially on defense – from Tuesday to Thursday, McCann said it was about letting go of one bad game. “We had a great practice [Wednesday] and talked about trusting the things that we can do. Their focus was like a laser.”
John Kane and the Post 96 defense were stellar in the win. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Game Notes:
West Hartford Post-96 ( the defending state champion and overall, No. 3 seed) now wait to see who they will face on Saturday in the State Championship Double Elimination event at South Windsor and Middletown from July 27 to Aug. 1.
Zimmerman went 5 2/3 innings, striking out four and giving up eight hits and one earned run.
Lusignan had two of Tri-County’s five hits in the game.
Calvin Cianflone’s bunt attempt goes foul. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Head coach Sean McCann embraces one of his players after the 1-0 win. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
John Kane looks on as Damian Wiktor catches the final out with the tying run on second base. West Hartford vs. Tri-County. American Legion State Tournament. July 25, 2024. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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