In addition to the Major League Skills Challenge, WHYBL, in conjunction with the Hartford Yard Goats, hosted its first Hit, Run and Throw Skills challenge for its Minor League participants on May 20. The winner – Tyler Redden of Goldberg’s Bagels – will go to Dunkin’ Donuts stadium to represent the league in the semifinals. The overall winner of the Yard Goats competition will win a $1,000 donation for their respective league.

After the younger players showed their stuff, the older players took the field for the Road Runner, Golden Arm and Home Run Derby. Jack Kennedy raced his way to a win in the Road Runner event, Jack Ferrucci threw himself past the competition in the Golden Arm and Drew Seidman slugged his way to the HR crown.

On May 21, the league hosted its annual Minor and Major League All-Star Games at Wolcott Park.

In the Minor League game, 14 players from the National League faced off against 14 players from the American League, with the American League coming out on top 13-9.

The National League was able to jump out to 3-1 lead after the first inning.  In the third, the American League bats came alive however, pushing across five runs and taking a 5-4 lead.  It was a lead that would not be relinquished the rest of the way, despite a gutty comeback attempt in the later innings by the National League.

The winning team had 10 hits, led by Sam Sandler (2-2, 2Rs) and Austin Burgoin (2-3, 2Rs).  Mason Hebert (1-2, BB, R) had an RBI double in the 3rd.  Jack Stearns, Benny White, Danny Moletti, Eyan Turner and Brendan Denault all reached base twice.  On defense, Alex Hyams single-handedly stifled a sixth-inning rally by snagging a bases loaded line drive and doubling off the runner at second base.  On the mound, Aaron Sandler and Tomas Martin pitched scoreless frames in the 3rd and 5th innings.  Sam Sandler entered the game in the bottom of the 7th inning to close the door on the National League, just as they were threatening once again.

The National League pounded out 13 hits, led by Adrian Brigantty (3-3, Triple, R), Chase Hanawalt (2-3, Double, 2Rs), Jack Sauer (2-2, BB, R) and Andrew Schwartz (2-3, R). Tyler Redden and Charles Huang each reached base twice.

The NL’s defense was sharp – particularly in the early innings.  Schwartz made a highlight-reel diving catch in center to end the 1st inning. In the 2nd inning, James Birbara was able to track down a ball in the gap, make a perfect relay into Sauer, who then threw a dart to Hanawalt at home – cutting off what seemed to be a sure run on a bang-bang play at the plate. On the mound, Redden pitched a perfect 7th inning for the NL.

In the Major League game, under the lights, 18 players from the National League faced off against 18 players from the American League. The National League won 12-4, but this one was a lot closer than the final score and featured great pitching and defense from both teams.

The game was scoreless over the first two innings as Josh Castro and Christian Pedro combined for 6 K’s for the AL while Seth Ehrlich and Sam Heller held the AL to just one hit. The NL opened up the scoring in the 3rd after Jack Kennedy walked, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Xaviel Amarat to give the NL a 1-0 lead. It remained 1-0 until the bottom of the 5th when the NL broke it open with a 6 run inning led by a single from Ehrlich, 2 RBI single from Amarat, RBI double from Ixael Albino, and a 2 run laser home run from Jacob Carrion to make it 7-0. The AL scored its first run in the 7th led by a single from Jimmy Gaston who scored on a passed ball to make it 7-1. The NL added a single run in the bottom of the 7th when Elliot Greenblatt reached on an error and scored on a ground ball from Carrion. The NL scored 5 in the 8th led by singles from Caleb Dejesus, Camden Carpenter, and Eli Salomons. The AL never gave up and mounted a three run rally in the 9th led by a bases clearing triple from Castro to close the gap to 12-4. However, NL closer Matt Gelinas got the final out to preserve the win.

The NL offense was led by Carrion (1 for 2, HR, BB, 3 RBI’s), Amarat (2 for 3, run, 2 RBI’s), Albino (double, RBI, run), Ehrlich (1 for 2, run, BB), Kennedy (2 BB’s, 2 runs), Carpenter (1 for 2, run), Salomons (single, RBI), and Dejesus (HBP, single, run). The AL offense was led by Castro (triple, 3 RBI’s), Jack Ferrucci (single), Gaston (single, run), Connor Ferguson (HBP, run), and Keegan Bankoff (BB, run).

The NL’s defense was led by strong pitching from Ehrlich, Heller, Albino, Amarat, Kennedy, Drew Seidman, Carrion, Salomons, and Gelinas. Scott LaBranch and Salomons were great behind the plate including a perfect throw from LaBranch to 3B for an out. Carpenter at 3B, Dejesus at 2B, Eden Nenshati in RF, and Heller in CF were also defensive standouts. The AL’s defense was led by strong pitching from Castro, Pedro, Jack Correia, Mitch Baboff, Teddy Keegan, Aidan Bradley, and Owen McGoldrick. Bobby Lachance did a great job at catcher. Castro at 3B and Harrison Sweeney at SS were also defensive stars.

Major League Skills Competition:

Home Run Derby

1. Drew Seidman – AC Petersen

2. Christian Pedro – Berry Insurance

Golden Arm

1. Jack Ferrucci – Connors Insurance

2. Ixael Albino – Knights of Columbus

Roadrunner

1. Jack Kennedy – Venora Electric

2. Anthoney Rodriguez – Connors Insurance

Yard Goats Hit, Run and Throw Competition

Younger Age Group*

1. Tyler Redden – Goldberg’s Bagels

2. Jack Sauer — Pro Courier

3. Danny Moleti – AC Petersen

Older Age Group

1. Dennis Flores – Hall’s Market

2. Jayden Sgro – Blue Back Dental

3. Tommy Baldini – Exchange Club

*Competed to represent WHYBL