Rough Monday for three local teams as Avon, Canton, Simsbury all lose

AVON, April 23 – The Newington High baseball team rapped out 14 hits to hand Avon their fifth straight loss in Central Connecticut Conference play on Monday at Buckingham Field, 5-3.

Gunnar Johnson, Ethan Errera and Jason Vereneau each had three hits for Newington (6-2) with Johnson getting a triple and knocking in three runs. Newington had a 5-0 lead before Avon scored their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Newington starting pitcher Kelly Jack went the distance to earn the win, pitching seven innings and scattering eight hits. Jack had just three strikeouts and walked just one. The Indians have won six straight games.

Avon got on the board in the sixth inning. Jake Coppen doubled and moved to third base on Kyle Zarwanski’s groundout to second base. Coppen scored on a sacrifice fly from Miles Borenstein.

In the seventh, Connor Harris had a one out single and was replaced by pinch runner Braydon Nemirich, who moved to second base on a single from Chris Angus. Nemirich scored on RBI single from Zack Aiello as Angus moved to second base. Angus cut the lead to 5-3 on Coppen’s two-out single to centerfield but that was as close as Avon would get.

Coppen and Will Boone each had a single and a double for Avon (1-6). Boone and reliever Daniel Bae combined to strike out eight Newington batters.

Avon hosts Bristol Central on Wednesday at Buckingham at 3:45 p.m. and closes out the week with a game at Wethersfield on Friday at 4 p.m.

Newington 5, Avon 3
At Avon
Newington (6-2)                     110  102  0  — 5-14-2
Avon (1-6)                                 000  001  2  — 3-8-0
Will Boone, Daniel Bae (3), Miles Borenstein (7) and Ryan Ollestad; Kelly Jack and unknown; WP: Jack; LP: Boone (0-1); 2B: Michael Sobolewski (N), Boone (A), Jake Coppen (A); 3B: Gunnar Johnson (N)

Granby 13, Canton 3 (5)
GRANBY, April 23 – Pitcher Nate Orluk allowed just three hits and struck out 10 to lead the undefeated Granby Memorial baseball team to a 13-3 win over Canton in five innings Monday in North Central Connecticut Conference play. Two Bear hurlers combined to fan 12 Warrior hitters.

Granby’s Parker Hansen had a single, triple and two RBI for the Bears (8-0, 8-0 NCCC) while Kyle Desjadins had a grand slam home run and drove in five RBI.

Canton (3-2, 2-2 NCCC) received two hits from Jack Rose – a single and a double – while Matt Rose had a single. Jack Mansur stole two bases.

It’s a busy week for Canton with four games in five days. The Warriors played Sacred Heart on Tuesday, travel to East Granby on Wednesday and finish the week with a home game against Coventry on Friday, April 27.

Granby 13, Canton 3 (5)
At Granby
Canton (3-2)                             000  12  — 3-3-3
Granby (8-0)                            070  33  — 13-7-1
Michael Sullivan, Nate Lincoln (2), Joey Fitzgerald (4), Jack Rose (5) and unknown; Nathaniel Orluk, Alex Oliver (5) and unknown; WP: Orluk; LP: Sullivan (2-1); 2B: Jack Rose (Ca), 3B: Parker Hansen (G), HR: Kyle Desjardins (G), grand slam

Rocky Hill 4, Simsbury 1
SIMSBURY, April 23 – Rocky Hill pitcher Matthew Rados pitched a complete game and limited Simsbury to just five hits to lead the visiting Terriers to a 4-1 victory Monday at Memorial Field. Rados allowed just one run and struck out five. He walked four.

Rocky Hill took a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Matt Seveigny’s one-out single drove in a run. Matthew Emmanuel reached on a fielder’s choice and Jason Donofrio followed with a two-out single.

Emmanuel stole third base and Donofrio stole second base and then Emmanuel scored on a throwing error by the catcher for a 2-0 lead. After Cole Fishberg was hit by a pitch, a third run scored on a second Simsbury error.

Simsbury threatened in the sixth inning. They loaded the bases with one out before Rados coaxed Ryan Caufield to fly out to left field. Rados walked Dylan Leonard to cut the lead to 3-1. But Rados struck out Jack McNally to end the threat.

Mason Valentino had a double for Simsbury (4-4), which had their three-game winning streak snapped. Pinch hitter Tim Talbot and Jordan Valentio each had singles for Simsbury.

Starting pitcher Luke Benneche went three innings and took the loss. He allowed four hits and struck out four. Reliever Jack McNally pitched four innings, allowed three hits and fanned three.

The Trojans return to action on Wednesday when they host Plainville at 6 p.m. at Memorial Field.

Rocky Hill 4, Simsbury 1
At Simsbury
Rocky Hill (5-2)                        003  000  1 – 4-7-0
Simsbury (4-4)                         000  001  0 – 1-5-3
Matthew Rados and Ryan Boyle; Luke Benneche, Jack McNally (4) and Ryan Caufield; WP: Rados; LP: Benneche; 2B: Joseph Hanmann (RH), Mason Valentino (S)