Burlington, Wolcott capture Tri-State semifinal openers

Burlington player/manager Andrew Bungler had two hits in Saturday’s 9-0 shutout win over Candlewood at New Milford High.

NEW MILFORD, August 8, 2026 – Four players had multiple hits and Burlington pitchers Anthony Izzo and Dave Kerlejza combined to strike out 13 batters as the Hunters rolled to a 9-0 win over the Candlewood Kraken Saturday in game 1 of their best-of-3 Tri-State League semifinal at New Milford High.

Burlington (20-3) can advance to the Tri-State League championship series for the first time with a win in game two on Sunday at Fuessenich Park in Torrington.

Izzo pitched seven innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits and striking out 10. Kerlejza allowed two hits and struck out three in two innings of work.

Chad Lavalle and Jacob Pashetto each had a single and double for the Hunters while Justin McCullough and Andrew Bunger each had two singles. Pashetto drove in two runs. Tim Krol had a double and one RBI for Burlington, which scored at least run in seven of eight innings they came to the plate.

Burlington has won a team-record 20 games this season.

Burlington 9, Candlewood 0
At New Milford
Candlewood (15-7)    000  000  000  — 0-4-6
Burlington (20-3)      201  112  11x   – 9-12-1
Mason Berna, Luke Pliego (5), Braydon Stellato (5), Zach Mars and (8) and Jake Coniglio; Anthony Izzo, David Kerlejza (8) and Steve Caruso; WP: Izzo; LP: Berna; 2B: Chad Lavelle (B), Jacob Pashetto (B), Tim Krol (B); Of note: Izzo (B) 7 IP, 2 hits allowed, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts; Burlington pitchers combined to strike out 13; Lavelle (B) 2-3, 2 runs scored, Andrew Bunger (B) 2-3, 2 runs scored, Pashetto (B) 2-4, 2 RBI; Justin McCullough (B) 2-4

Wolcott 8, Bethlehem 4
WOLCOTT, August 8, 2026 – Joe Sconziano was 3-for-4 with two RBI to the lead Wolcott Scrappers to an 8-4 win over defending league champion Bethlehem Saturday in game 1 of their best-of-3 Tri-State League semifinal.

Wolcott (17-6) can earn a spot in the Tri-State League championship series since 2014 with a victory in game two on Sunday at Gallup Field in Bethlehem.

With three runs, Bethlehem (16-7) took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to a solo home run from Ryan Ponte and a two-run homer from Kyle Daddona.

But the Scrappers came right back with six runs in the top of the eighth. After three walks, Wolcott’s Dillon Fernandes ripped a three-run double to center field to put the Scrappers ahead, 5-3. Wolcott scored another run on a two-out RBI single from Sconziano and two more came across the plate thanks to an error.

Nate Cormier and Isaiah Johnson were each 2-for-4 for the Plowboys. Pitcher Carsten Donovan allowed eight hits over seven innings for Bethlehem, striking out five and walking two. He left with a one-run lead.

For Wolcott, starting pitcher Drew Rocca went four innings, allowing two hits and striking out six. AJ Martinez pitched three innings of relief, giving up three runs.

Ben Bianchi and reliever Ethan Stepputtis allowed just three hits and struck out three in the final two innings for Wolcott.

Wolcott 8, Bethlehem 4
At Bethlehem
Wolcott (17-6)             000  100  160  — 8-10-1
Bethlehem (16-7)        000  000  310  — 4-7-3
Drew Rocca, AJ Martinez (5), Ben Bianchi (8), Ethan Stepputtis (8) and Joe Dunne; Carsten Donovan, Sam Williams (8), Nate Cormier (8), Kyle Dadonna (9) and Chase Belisle; WP: Bianchi; LP: Williams; 2B: Dillon Fernandes (W), Dunne (W), Isaiah Johnson (B), Nate Cormier (B); HR: Daddona (B), Ryan Ponte (B); Of note: Cormier (B) 2-4, Johnson (B) 2-4, RBI, Daddona (B) 1-3, 2 RBI; Joe Sconziano (W) 3-4, 2 RBI