Burlington rallies to eliminate Waterbury and move to Tri-State semifinal

written by Gerry deSimas, Jr., Collinsville Press | August 5, 2026

Burlington’s Chad Lavelle scored the winning run in the seventh inning in Burlington’s 9-8 win to beat Waterbury on Tuesday night and advance to the Tri-State League semifinals.

Visiting Waterbury erased a four-run deficit and took a three-run lead in the sixth inning only to see top seed Burlington score three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie Tuesday night’s Tri-State League playoff game at Fuessenich Park in Torington.

In the seventh inning, Burlington’s Chad Lavelle doubled, stole third base and scored on a RBI single from player/manager Andrew Bunger as the Hunters advanced to the Tri-State semifinals for the third year in a row with a 9-8 win over the Mountain Boys.

The victory gives Burlington a 2-1 win in the best-of-three series. The Hunters (20-3) will face the Candlewood Kraken in the best-of-three semifinals with a berth in the Tri-State League championship series on the line. Both teams will be looking for their first-ever appearance in the league final. Defending champion Bethlehem and Wolcott are in the other semifinal series.

Burlington tied the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the sixth with three runs, sparked by two out RBI single from Ty Morin that tied the game.

Burlington handed the ball over to pitcher Derek Duffy, who pitched a complete game (nine innings) in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Waterbury. On just two days rest, Duffy got the final nine outs on Saturday with seven strikeouts to secure the win for Burlington.

Burlington took a 4-0 lead in the first inning with Lavelle scoring on an infield ground ball from Justin McCullough and Josue Lopez hitting a three-run home run.

Waterbury (12-12) cut the lead to 4-2 on sacrifice flies from Justin DiGiovanna and Izaiah Walker. Burlington extended their lead to 5-2 in the fifth inning when a hustling Sean O’Donnell scored from second base on a sacrifice fly from Lavelle.

Waterbury scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning to take an 8-5 lead thanks to base hits from DiGiovanna, Colby Clinnell and a double from Jack Drewry.

Burlington 9, Waterbury 8
At Torrington
Waterbury (12-12)      001  106  000  — 8
Burlington (20-3)       400  013  100 – 9
Of note: Burlington advances to the league semifinals with the win in game 3 to win the first round series, 2-1.