Bees, Yard Goats come up with tight, shutout victories

Southington’s Nick Greenwiood struck out seven Friday night.

NEW BRITAIN, April 22 – Three New Britain pitchers combined to strike out 10 and allow just five hits to help the Bees earn their first-ever Atlantic League victory with a 1-0 win over the York Revolution Friday night at New Britain Stadium in front of 2,235 fans.

The Bees (1-1) had just three hits but it was enough. New Britain took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning with Anthony Hewitt scoring on a sacrifice fly from Jon Jones.

Southington’s Nick Greenwood got the start and threw six scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking just one. Grady Wood pitched two innings and Craig Stem pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his first save.

It got a little tense in the ninth inning for New Britain. After two quick outs, York’s Joel Guzman doubled and Stem walked Pounds. York’s James Simmons hit a hard shot off New Britain third baseman Jovan Rosa and Guzman tried to score. Rosa recovered and fired the ball to New Britain catcher James Skelton who tagged out Guzman at the plate to end the game.

The Bees return to the field on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at New Britain Stadium against York and there will be fireworks after the contest.

Hartford 2, Portland 0

Yard Goats closer Matt Carasiti of Berlin

PORTLAND, ME, April 22 – Berlin’s Matt Carasiti had a four out save to help the Hartford Yard Goats beat Portland, 2-0 in Eastern League play Friday night at Hadlock Field in front of more than 2,400 fans.

Carasiti came on in the eighth inning with two men on base. He got Portland’s Bryce Brentz to foul out and end the inning. In the ninth, Carasiti gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning. But he settled down and struck out Ramimel Rosario and got Tim Robertson to ground into a double play to end the game.

Hartford (11-4) turned four double plays in the game. The Yard Goats remain in first place in the Eastern Division.

The Yard Goats scored all the runs they would need in the fifth inning. With one out, Correll Prime singled to right field and stole second base. With two outs, he stole third base. Following a walk to David Dahl, Raimel Tapia’s single to left field drove in Prime. When Portland third baseman Jordan Betts made an errant throw into right field, Dahl scored for a 2-0 lead.

Hartford plays Portland in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.