Stellar defense helps Simsbury Legion get past Tolland, 6-1

Simsbury shortstop E.J. Lavoie beat a Tolland runner to the bag to get the out in Saturday’s state tournament game at Muzzy Field.

BRISTOL, July 26 – Jake King was an All-State shortstop at Granby High this past spring. But King is more comfortable in the outfield. And he displayed that in Saturday’s Northern Division tournament game at Bristol’s Muzzy Field.

King ran down and caught two deep fly balls in center field that could have jumpstarted Tolland as Simsbury remained undefeated in the American Legion state tournament with a 6-1 victory.

With Tolland leading 1-0 and one out in the third inning, King ran to his left and dove to make a spectacular diving catch on deep fly ball by Tolland’s Alex Hoss. That could have been Tolland’s fourth baserunner and Simsbury hadn’t gotten a man past second base at that point in the game.

In the eighth inning, he chased down a deep fly ball from Dallon Asnes and leaped at the last second to make the catch. Later in the inning, Tolland had the bases loaded but King was able to race in and make a great grab on a dying fly ball to retire the side.

“Every team is good (in the tournament),” King said. “Everyone can hit. You have to make plays like that to change the game.”

King got a game ball afterwards, Simsbury manager Tom Vincent said. “Those two catches changed the complexion of the game. He laid himself out on both of (those catches).”

Simsbury (21-6, 3-0 tournament) advances to face Zone 7 champion RCP (Rocky Hill/Cromwell/Portland) on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Muzzy Field. RCP beat Waterford, 4-1 in the second game on Saturday. A win on Sunday against RCP would move Simsbury one victory away from a berth in the state championship series.

Simsbury pitcher Pete Myers struck out 7 in seven innings of work Saturday.

Simsbury pitcher Peter Myers (3-1) had an outstanding performance, striking out seven and scattering three hits in seven innings of work. “I didn’t have my best stuff but once I settled in and stopped rushing myself, I was able to locate the ball pretty well.”

Myers showed poise in the game. In the sixth, Tolland Jake Kalette led of the inning with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. But Myers got Hoss to pop up to Simsbury shortstop E.J. Lavoie and then retired the side on consecutive strikeouts.

“Pete pitched well,” Vincent said. “He got behind on some batters but was able to find it and get his breaking ball going.”

Tolland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Asnes led off the inning with a walk and moved to second when Myers hit Ben Clough with one out. Myers got Nick Paash to strike out looking but Tyler Lechman ripped a RBI single to centerfield to score Asnes from second base.

King fired the ball home and it was too late to get Asnes but Simsbury catcher Andrew Girard rifled the ball to third baseman Jack Nedorostek, who tagged out Clough who tried to move from first to third base on the hit.

Simsbury broke through in the fourth and fifth innings with six runs. In the fourth, Lavoie singled and Jake Cassano reached on an error. Girard singled to load the bases. Lavoie scored on an error and Cassano scored on a single from Dakota Hunter for a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth, Simsbury again loaded the bases with no outs on singles from King and Lavoie and a walk to Cassano. A walk to Girard forced in one run and Ryan Gothers followed with a two-RBI single to right field. Hunter’s sacrifice fly extended Simsbury’s lead to 6-1.

“I know everyone says defense, great pitching and timely hitting wins games. But it is so true,” Vincent said with a grin.

King, Lavoie, Gothers and Hunter each had two hits for Simsbury. Gothers and Hunters also had two RBI.

NOTES: Simsbury first baseman Jake Wood left the game in the sixth inning after colliding with outfielder Jake Cassano going after a fly ball. Wood bruised his knee. … Third baseman Jack Nedorostek had five assists to lead Post 84. … In the second game in Bristol, RCP beat Waterford, 4-1. Chris Bouchard and Tommy Seaver had two hits each for RCP. Cole Ogorzalek went the distance for RCP, scattering seven hits and striking out 12. … In three tournament games, Simsbury has allowed just one run and 11 hits. Post 84 has scored 23 runs. … Due to the forecast for rain on Sunday, game times have been moved up to noon and 3:30 p.m.

Simsbury 6, Tolland 1
At Bristol
Simsbury (21-6)                000  240  000  – 6-9-1
Tolland (21-7)                   010  000  000  – 1-4-2
Pete Myers, Martin Cayne-Yackel (8) and Andrew Girard; Tom Jacobsen, Alex Hoss (5) and Dallon Asnes; WP: Myers (3-1); LP: Jacobsen; 2B: none; 3B: none; HR: none

Northern Division Super Regional
At Bristol
Saturday’s results
Simsbury 6, Tolland 1
RCP 4, Waterford 1
Sunday’s games
Game 3: Tolland vs. Waterford, noon
Game 4: Simsbury vs. RCP, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s games
Game 5: Tolland/Waterford winner vs. Simsbury/RCP loser, 3:30 p.m.
Final: Simsbury/RCP winner vs. winner game 5, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s game
Final (if necessary), 6:30 p.m.

Southern Division Super Regional
At Stamford
Saturday’s results
Branford 7, Berlin 1
Cheshire 5, Stamford 4
Sunday’s games
Game 3: Berlin vs. Stamford, noon
Game 4: Branford vs. Cheshire, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s games
Game 5: Berlin/Stamford winner vs. Branford/Cheshire loser, 3:30 p.m.
Game 6: Final: Winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s game
Final (if necessary), 6:30 p.m.