Sports

High School Roundup: Berlin Baseball Wins Classic Over Rival Plainville


By Rick Volk

With Plainville and Berlin tied late in the game, the plot thickened Monday night.

It was going to be a classic victory for one team and a tough defeat for the other. A key play or a mistake would decide things.

The big hit came off the bat of Mitch Williams, who delivered a seventh-inning game-ending shot to right-center to drive home Daren Grabowski with the winning run in a 2-1 victory under the lights at Sage Park.

Grabowski led off the seventh with a walk. When Plainville brought in reliever Matt Thomas to face Mitch Williams, he faked a bunt and Grabowski got into scoring position with a stolen base. Moments later, Williams hit to plate Grabowski led to the Redcoats mobbing their teammates in celebration of the victory.

Winning pitcher Connor Bennett (6-2) turned in a strong effort, seeming to get stronger as the game went along, holding Plainville hitless over the last two innings.

Plainville’s most dangerous threat came with one out in the fifth inning and runners on second and third, but Bennett came through with a strikeout of Thomas and then retired Tyler Favreau on a groundout. Matt Sauvron’s fourth inning single up the middle erased Berlin’s lead, scoring Tyler Pina with the game’s tying run.

Berlin made the big play when Grabowski throw to catcher Jordan Zima caught Pina at the plate trying to score on Brian Dostaler’s single.

Berlin jumped off to an early lead against Plainville left-hander Brett Snowden on consecutive singles by Grabowski, Williams and Dante Vasi. But the sophomore hurler slammed the door on the home team with five consecutive scoreless innings, including escaping a bases-loaded threat in the sixth. Bennett squelched a Plainville bid in the top of the seventh by retiring Cody Charneski and Shane Pugliese with the go-ahead run in scoring position. Not without controversy, however, as Plainville coaches argued shortstop Matt Rocco's throw to Vasi pulled the first baseman's foot off the bag.

The Redcoats swept the season series over the Blue Devils two games to none. It was the last regular season game for the Redcoats, who finished the campaign with a 13-7 record.

Senior Night ceremonies honored Mike Baroni, Dan Wrona, Jeff Sylvester, Zima and Bennett. Plainville finished its regular season 8-12, but did qualify for the Class M CIAC playoffs, while the Redcoats await next week’s playoff matchup in the Class L field.

PLAINVILLE

  • Cody Charneski c 3-0-0
  • Shane Pugliese ss 4-0-1
  • Matt Thomas dh-p 3-0-1
  • Tyler Favreau lf 3-0-1
  • Tyler Pina rf 3-1-1
  • Mark DeMartinis lb 3-0-0
  • Matt Sauvron 2b 3-0-2
  • Brian Dostaler 3b 1-0-1
  • Sam Lindgren pr 0-0-0
  • Dean DeMartinis cf 2-0-1 BB: Charneski
  • RBI: Sauvron
  • SH: D. DeMartinis
  • SB: Favreau, Sauvron
  • HBP: Dostaler 
  • P Brett Snowden (L) 6IP, 5 H, 2R, 2ER, 4BB, 5K
  • Thomas 0IP, 1H 
BERLIN
  • Daren Grabowski cf 3-2-1
  • Mitch Williams 3b 3-0-2
  • Dante Vasi lb 3-0-1
  • Jordan Zima c 2-0-1
  • Mike Baroni pr 0-0-0
  • Jeff Sylvester dh 2-0-0
  • Anthony Sisti lf 2-0-0
  • Greg Konowski rf 3-0-1
  • Alec Norton 2b 1-0-0
  • Matt Rocco ss 2-0-0
  • Kyle Naples ph 1-0-0 
  • BB: Grabowski, Williams, Sylvester, Sisti
  • RBI: Vasi, Williams
  • SH: Zima, Norton
  • SB: Grabowski
  • HBP: Norton P Connor Bennett (W, 6-2), 7IP, 8H, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 5K
Boy's Tennis

Tolland 5, Berlin 2

The team played very well against a stronger team. While the loss means the team will not go to the states, they have had a great second half of the season and earned the CCC – South title.

Dan Rombola, who will go the states as a very high seed, defeated a tough opponent. The #1 doubles team of Captain Jaydip Patel and Jack Stafstrom came back to win in three tough sets.

Weather permitting the team will finish their season Tuesday in another night match versus Brookfield. 

Girl's Golf

Berlin 171, Simsbury 196

The Berlin Lady Redcoats golf team cruised to their 16th victory of the season against one loss by defeating Simsbury Monday, 171 to 196 at Simsbury Farms Golf Course. 

Julia Kemmling was outstanding, firing an even par 36  which included seven pars only one bogey and one birdie. She received solid team support form Emily Deutsch, 43, Emma Atkinson 45, and Ashley D'Attilio with a 47.  Berlin is in action next against New Britain on Wednesday at Timberlin.  

"Julia really put on a show today," Berlin coach Jim Barnes said. "What a wonderfully consistent round of golf. This was her second even par round of the season. Very special. 

"Emily Deutsch continues to play well and Emma Atkinson gave the team a huge boost with a solid 45, her best round of the year by four strokes. Emma is really starting to believe in herself and the lower scores are very telling. Just a sophomore, she can be a big part of our future"


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