MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — A shaky start turned into a resounding triumph for the athletes representing Gayton Post 31 at the Northeast Regional American Legion baseball tournament on Thursday.
In the team’s first game, after spotting Gibbsboro, N.J., four runs in the top of the first inning, the bats came alive and the pitching settled down. Paced by a two-run home run off the bat of Jeff Keene in the bottom of that first frame, Gayton plated three of its own that inning and another six in the second, running away with a 13-8 win.
“That blast Keene hit kind of settled everyone down, let the boys know that we really could compete at this level,” Gayton coach Todd Cifelli said.
Timely hitting begat great defense. After the Lewiston-area team took the lead, the fielders made sure it stood up.
“I think we turned four double plays and we just played solid on defense behind the pitching,” Cifelli said.
Alex Parker also had a solid game for Gayton, dropping down a pair of bunt singles, scoring two runs and starting two of those four double plays at shortstop.
“The small-ball stuff put them back on their heels a bit and we took advantage,” Cifelli said.
Corbin Hyde recovered from a shaky start to earn the win, tossing five innings while allowing six runs on five hits and six walks. Joe Sullivan and Greg LaBonte allowed two runs in a combined relief effort over the final four innings.
In the winners’ bracket, Gayton will now face Branford, Conn., at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
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