New Haven Independent

After having nearly no offense in two losses to Broxton on Thursday and Friday, the Cutters, led by third baseman Zamora — who drove in the team’s first five runs — came away with a 10-7 victory over the Brockton Rox at Historic Yale Field on Saturday.
The Cutters lost 6-1 in the home opener on Thursday and 7-2 on Friday, and had nearly zero offensive production. Jarrett Stawarz took the loss on Thursday, allowing five earned runs on six hits in 5.1 innings.
On Friday, the Cutters stranded 12 base runners and were unable to get the clutch hit that they needed, as they could manage only two runs on Matt Mercurio’s rbi double to right centerfield in the seventh inning and shortstop Chas Terni’s solo home run in the ninth inning. The Cutters’ starting pitcher Ryan Bonesio gave up four runs on nine hits in seven solid innings to take the 4-2 loss to Brockton.
However, on Saturday it was a different story as the New Haven County Cutters pounded out 10 runs and nine hits to avoid the sweep.
At a time when the team desperately needed a lift, starting the season 1-7, Zamora, one of the leaders on the team, was there to pick up the pieces.
“It speaks for itself,” said Manager Mike Church. “That’s what veterans do. They hit and pick us up, and when we’re down we look to them.”

Small Ball
Zamora, 31, is one of the oldest players on a very young team. Along with hitting his second and third home runs of the season, he also doubled and scored three runs.
With a tie game in the fifth inning, Zamora hit his second home run of the day, a monster solo shot over the left field fence to put the team up 5-4, and the Cutters never looked back.
With a struggling offense so far this season, Manager Church played a bunch of small ball, stealing and moving the runners over.
“I love to bunt, and run and stay aggressive,” said Church.
In the third inning Church’s small ball was effective, as a double steal by Ervin Alcantara and Matt Mercurio gave way to Zamora’s two run double.
Cutters starter Joslin Ramirez (2-0) gave up four runs over 5.2 innings to get the win.
On Sunday, at Brockton, the Cutters wasted a solid performance from local southpaw Jeff Farrell (of East Hampton), as the bullpen and shaky defense blew the game in the eighth inning.
The Cutters, now 2-8, hope that this offensive performance can get them on track and allow them to compete in the league.
“It’s still early in the year,” said Church. “We know we can play. It’s just a matter of them believing in themselves.”