Simsbury, Hartford begin 3-game state tournament series Wednesday

The Simsbury American Legion baseball team returns to the diamond Wednesday against Hartford.

SIMSBURY – The Simsbury American Legion baseball team gets back to business Wednesday when they host game 1 of a best-of-3 series at Memorial Field at 3:30 p.m. with upstart Hartford in the Connecticut American Legion state tournament.

Simsbury (21-7, 18-6 Zone 1) captured its first Zone 1 championship since 2008 and will be looking to advance to the four team Northern Division finals at Muzzy Field beginning on Saturday. Simsbury won 10 of 11 games including three straight over Avon to clinch the zone championship. 

Standing in Post 84’s way will be Hartford, a spunky, quick team that upset Avon, 3-2 and Enfield, 11-4 to advance in the tournament. Hartford (15-11-1, 11-10 Zone 7) was the fifth and final qualifier from their zone. They have yet to trail in the state tournament. 

“We play National League, small ball,” Hartford manager Glynn Baron said. “We push a run across any time we can. Everything comes from pitching and defense for us.” 

Against Avon, Hartford manufactured all three runs. Two singles, a stolen base and a fielder’s choice put the first run on the board. The second run came after a double, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly. The third run came after a single and a RBI double down the left field line. 

The pressure hasn’t fazed Hartford. Avon stranded 15 men on base and had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth. But Hartford managed to come away with the win.

This is a Hartford team that beat defending state and Northeast Regional champion Branford, 3-1, in an exhibition game in July. “We’ve matured,” Baron said. “We’ve learned how to hang on and win the close games.” 

Simsbury is making its fourth straight state tournament appearance and the eighth in the last 10 years. This is Hartford’s first state tournament in decades, perhaps back to the 1940s but no one is sure at this time. 

Game two will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Memorial Field. If necessary, game three will immediately follow after the conclusion of game two at 5:30 p.m. 

Read more about the amazing journey of the Hartford American Legion team in a story we shared with Litchfield County Sports.

Litchfield County Sports, July 22: Torrington’s Baron has helped Hartford Legion turn around its program.