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Tyler Criscuolo gets the throw for a force out before Foran’s Rob Lynch reaches second.
It ended up being a game of catch up that fell short but could have ended differently if the early success continued.
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“That was close,”says Tyler Criscuolo as he ducks out of the way of a high inside pitch
The Branford Hornets baseball team got out of the gate early on Monday when they scored two runs in the first inning and had the bases loaded with no outs.
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Foran’s Dylan Bartel collides with catcher Charlie Ahern and knocks the ball free to score a run.
But as luck would have it they didn’t score again in the inning and their opponents, the Foran Lions, rallied in the top of the second scoring 6 runs, including four on a Grand Slam by R.J. Jackson, to take a 6 – 2 lead they never relinquished.
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Coach Ed Bethke rallies Luke Distasio to get a lead- off hit.
“We had them on the ropes early and we let it get away,” said Branford coach Ed Bethke (pictured). “Not scoring more than two runs in the first inning was tough to take. They took advantage of that and we ended up chasing them the rest of the way.”
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Second baseman Bryce Baker makes a force play at second as Tyler Criscuolo backs up the play.
The Hornets got as close as 7 – 5 in the fourth inning but Foran rallied and scored four more in the top of the sixth to put the game away, winning 11 – 5.
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Centerfielder Jordan Botte grabs a fly ball at the 375’ mark just inside the fence.
Foran only outhit the Hornets by 11 – 10 in the game. Senior co-captain Charlie Ahern went 2 for 4 with two singles and a RBI.
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Geoff Yasevac gets one of his three hits in the game. He had a single and two doubles with two RBI’s.
Senior Geoff Yasevac (pictured) continued to stay hot going 3 for 4 including a single and two doubles, knocking in two runs.
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First baseman DeRenzo puts a tag on Foran’s Colin Firmender after a perfect pick off throw from catcher Charlie Ahern.
Junior Devin DeRenzo also went 3 for 4 with two singles and a triple. Co- captain Tyler also chipped in with a double.
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1809 Pitcher Dan Driscoll fires a high hard one. He suffered his first loss of the year and is now 2-1.
Pitcher Dan Driscoll (pictured) suffered his first loss of the season. He was relieved by Dalton Erickson in the sixth. Freshman Zane Kmietek finished up for the Hornets.
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Here is Dominic Acquarulo attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt.
The following day Branford finished a game with North Haven postponed by rain from the week before. The game was stopped after the 7th inning tied at three runs each. The Hornets lost 4 – 3 after ten innings but came back on Wednesday at East Haven to win 13 – 8 to even their record at 5 – 5.
Their next home game is Saturday against Shelton.
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