Windham News : baseball

Windham 10 and 11s push Goffstown before dropping title game

Salem Editor — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:16:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Goffstown’s 10- and 11- year-old Little League baseball team is powerful. In the state title game, Windham nearly caused a power outage.

Despite trimming Goffstown’s four-run advantage to one in the fifth inning on Saturday, July 25, Windham was unable to take the lead and eventually fell, 10-6.

Windham gave Goffstown its closest game of the tournament and nearly tied the game, but the would-be equalizing run was thrown out at the plate in the top of the fifth inning.

Jake Yennaco’s two-out double in the fifth brought the locals within 7-6. Mike Tardif then singled to center field, sending Yennaco charging toward the plate, but the throw from the outfield was perfect, and Yennaco was out by a wide margin.

“I would still send him if I could do it again. He just made a good throw,” said Windham manager Bruce Yennaco. “There were a few momentum-changing plays in the game, but that’s how we have played all year. We’ve been playing aggressively.”

Close tournament games were familiar to Windham, which went 5-2 while taking the losers’ bracket. The locals collected three one-run victories, with no win coming by more than three.

Windham took an early 3-0 lead after Will Bresnahan lined a two-run double into the gap, then scored himself on an errant throw from the outfield.

Goffstown, which answered with two runs in the bottom of the first, seemingly took control of the game with a five-run third inning.

But Andrew Calandra began Windham’s fifth-inning rally with a single.

Johnny Monahan worked a walk, and Calandra scored on a wild pitch following a Goffstown pitching change. Bresnahan earned a base on balls and stole second, with Monahan taking home on a successful double steal.

Yennaco said he was impressed with the grit his team showed in coming back during its final game, also with the resolve it showed throughout the bracket.

“The fact that so many games were so close just shows how tough they are, and how much determination they have,” said Yennaco. “This experience will help them as they play next year, and on into high school.”

Windham team members were Chad Desautels, Dougie Deluca, Bresnahan, Riley Magee, Jake Yennaco, Tardif, Marco Allanach, Chris Murphy, Max Souter, Jack Crowley, Monahan and Calandra.

Windham ousted from District 1 tournament by Bedford

Salem Editor — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:43:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Windham’s 11- and 12- year-olds kept turning the page, but eventually the book had to close.

Unfortunately for the local all-stars, the book shut just shy of a championship, as Windham fell to Bedford in consecutive games during the District 1 Little League baseball finals on Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19.

Needing one victory to earn a match-up with District 2 victor Portsmouth, Windham jumped to an 8-3 in its first game against Bedford.

Mike Goglia launched a three-run home run to give his team a 3-0 advantage in the top of the second before Bedford climbed back to tie the game at 3-3.

In the top of the fourth, Windham struck for three more runs when Connor Moynihan led off with a single, Christian Thompson reached on an error and Brendan Mullen drove them both in with a single.

Josh Gallagher followed suit with a single, then Kellin Bail pushed home another Windham run with a single to stretch the lead to 6-3. In the fifth inning, Moynihan delivered again, smashing a two-run home run for the 8-3 edge.

But in the bottom of the fifth Bedford scored five times to knot the score at 8-8, and after Windham went quietly in the visiting half of the sixth, Kyle Andersson sent the Bedford players into a frenzy when he blasted a ball over the fence, moving his team to the decisive second game.

Andersson proved a persistent problem for Windham with his effort on Sunday, this time from the pitcher’s mound; he pitched 5 2/3 innings before being pulled due to his pitch count.

Ryan Lang relieved and induced a groundout to end the game and Windham’s season following the 6-2 final.

After breezing through the winners’ bracket final against Salem National thanks to a perfect game from Tim Hillman, Windham waited a week before playing again, something manager Jim Bail said proved a disadvantage.

“I think in retrospect it hurt us. Bedford was sharp. They had been playing for their lives all week while we were practicing, just not at the same intensity,” said Bail, who feared a letdown following his team’s Saturday defeat.

“We were looking for it, and we talked about that. We wanted to look forward and start a new page. That was a theme throughout the playoffs. The kids showed up fresh, but we just ran into a good pitcher on a very good day for them.”

In addition to his sparkling pitching performances throughout the bracket, Hillman also hit .429 during the team’s seven tournament contests. Ben Vitolo was another key hitter in the Windham lineup, batting .455.

Members of the team included Gallagher, Bail, Hillman, Moynihan, Thompson, Goglia, Vitolo, Mullen, Porter Carelli, who hit two home runs this summer, Kurtis Jolicoeur and Nick Worden.

“There were some players I wish could have gotten a bit more playing time, but I think it was a great experience for everyone,” said Jim Bail. “I think they got to reap the benefits of working hard to earn something. I’m glad for all the kids to see where that can get validated. That’s a great lesson for a 12-year-old.”

Hillman faces and retires 18 hitters; Windham one win from D-1 title

Salem Editor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:22:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

Windham 11- and 12-year-old all-star baseball catcher Mike Goglia had the perfect view of batterymate Tim Hillman’s perfect game on Saturday, July 11.

The backstop watched 18 Salem National batters step into the box. Most returned to the bench without putting the ball in play.

Yet as Hillman’s gem neared completion, pressure mounted. Goglia said that, during the sixth inning, he felt the same way every National batter felt throughout the New Hampshire Little League District 1 winners’ bracket final:

“It was nerve-racking.” Actually, Hillman made it look easy, fanning 16 batters. No batted ball – there were two pop outs – left the infield.

Windham, on the other hand, jumped on hard-throwing Salem starter John Cerretani for three first-inning runs.

The bottom of Windham’s lineup sparked a two-run rally in the top of the sixth, and the team finds itself one win from the D-1 championship after a 5-0 victory at the Villa Augustina fields in Goffstown.

“The kid threw a perfect game in a perfect spot,” said Salem National’s manager, Paul Soucy. “With a pitcher who’s that dominant, everyone else can really relax and know not much is going to be hit hard at them.”

Windham’s manager, Jim Bail, said no one mentioned the possibility of a perfect game until the sixth inning, when a teammate told Hillman about it. Bail said the tall 12-year-old simply smiled, then returned to the hill and finished what he started by focusing on each pitch, each moment.

“They’re very mature for 12-year-olds,” said Bail. “We don’t have any weak spots. We have some guys who aren’t playing as much as they normally do, but it hasn’t been a problem at all. Everyone’s contributed when called upon.”

No. 2 hitter Kellin Bail, for example, started the firstinning outburst with a line single past shortstop. He then stole second, took third on a wild pitch and scored after forcing an errant throw to the base. Hillman, who had walked, moved to third on a sharp single from 11-year-old Connor Moynihan, then scored on a wild pitch, as did pinch runner Brendan Mullen.

After that trouble, Cerretani matched Hillman zero for zero into the fifth inning, when the Salem hurler reached the 85-pitch limit.

The bottom of Windham’s order capped the scoring against Salem reliever Jason Michalsky. Christian Thompson smacked a double to leftcenter field to open the sixth.

One out later, No. 8 hitter Ben Vitolo tripled down the rightfield line to plate Thompson. He quickly scored on Nick Worden’s sacrifice fly to center.

Bail, a scout with the Atlanta Braves, thanked former Boston Red Sox firstround draft pick Jay Yannaco for helping his team prepare for Cerretani’s fastball.

Yannaco threw batting practice to Windham’s players – right down to emulating Cerretani’s arm motion – the day before the game.

Windham finds itself in territory usually occupied by Bedford, Goffstown or one of the Manchester teams, waiting a week and needing a single victory to represent District 1 in the state tournament at month’s end – in Windham.

“These baseball dynasties (in Goffstown and Bedford) are cultures,” said Bail, “and we’re developing a winning culture.”

Salem National, meanwhile, next plays on Thursday, July 16, in the losers’ bracket final. A win means a rematch with Windham on Saturday, July 18.

Victory there pushes District 1 play to a winner-take-all game on Sunday, July 19. The weekend games take place at the Villa fields.

Moynihan is most likely to start Saturday’s game. If necessary, Hillman awaits on Sunday.

Three straight victories push team along in District 1 bracket

Salem Editor — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:08:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It was a day two years in the making.

When the majority of the current 11- and 12-year-old Windham players were 10, they faced Goffstown in the Jimmy Fund baseball tournament.

In the fifth inning of that game, Windham held a 17- 9 advantage, but within the blink of an eye the powerful Goffstown team stormed back and eventually came away with a 24-22 victory.

Head coach Jim Bail didn’t forget, and neither did the players on his team. “That was the day we started preparing for Goffstown,” said Bail.

The preparation paid off. Windham edged its familiar foe on Monday, July 6, 2-1, advancing to the semifinals of the District 1 11- and 12- year-old Little League tournament winners’ bracket in the process.

Windham’s bats were silent early on; the entire lineup was set down in order through three innings.

The fourth inning was a different story. Windham’s hitters adjusted to the steady dose of curveballs they had seen in their first at-bats, and with his team trailing, 1-0, shortstop Josh Gallagher led off with an infield hit.

Starting pitcher Tim Hillman delivered a one-out double, and Gallagher knotted the contest at 1-1 when he scampered home on a passed ball.

Hillman scored soon after when Conner Moynihan drove in the eventual game-winning run with an RBI groundout.

With the victory, Windham advanced to play Derry American in a game scheduled to take place Wednesday, July 8.

Vanquishing its first opponent was a challenge for Windham, which squeaked past Manchester South, 3-2, on June 30, in a game that began the previous evening.

With the score tied at 1-1 after six full innings, the rains came, suspending the game until Tuesday, when Windham prevailed in extra innings.

The second round was easier, with Windham cruising past Pelham, 7-1, on Friday, July 3.

Bail said while pitching and defense have been critical to his team’s success, it’s the psychological aspect his squad has perfected.

“This team is really mentally tough, and we’ve spent a lot of time working on that,” said Bail, who cited Hillman as an example of his team’s resiliency. “He has such a calm presence on the mound, and he’s very mature for his age. He can locate (a pitch) on a dime, which helps a lot, too.”

Windham sophomore a key part of D-III national champion

Salem Editor — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:51:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Jim Wood strolled down the third base line and right into the Trinity College history books.

The Windham native scored the game-winning run on a bases-loaded walk to help Trinity College’s baseball team to its first-ever Division III National Championship, capping a 45-1 year.

“It was incredible. Seeing that on third base, it was almost too perfect,” said Wood. “It was an unbelievable feeling to cross the plate and have the whole team jump on me.”

The championship capped off Wood’s sophomore year with the Bantams, and Trinity’s head coach, Bill Decker, said the outfielder came ready to play after graduating from Bishop Guertin High School.

“I think he’s got a blue-collar attitude and a blue-collar approach. He has a will to learn and a will to get better,” said Decker. “I’d play nine Jimmy Woods on the field if I had them. If you’re looking for dirt on him, I don’t have it.”

Wood’s coach only has one regret when it comes to having Jim Wood on his team.

“We wish we had his brother, too,” said Decker about Taylor Wood, who just completed his freshman year as a pitcher for Cornell. “They’re both tremendous athletes, and they’re good people.”

Wood came to the Trinity team during his freshman year and wanted to keep a low profile and let his play do the talking.

“When I got there I kept to myself and was quiet. It’s tough coming in as a freshman,” said Wood. “I came out of my shell. That’s the best thing about sports. It was a great spot for me to let my intensity come flying out. Sports is a way for me to open up.”

According to Decker, when the Bantams reached the tournament in 2007, he saw the normally subdued Wood blossom.

“Last year in the regionals, those freshmen grew up,” said Decker. “I saw a different side of him. This quiet, reserved kid became a monster in the dugout – in a good way.”

And it continued this year. Wood batted .356, fifth on the team, while starting all 46 games. He led the squad with 12 home runs and was second in runs batted in.

Wood said he learned a great deal from the upperclassmen on the team who embraced him, and he looks forward to being more of a role model as a junior.

“We had some great upperclassmen that taught me a lot. They were great mentors for me – the way they treated younger kids – and it helped a lot,” said Wood. “That’s what I look forward to doing.” Wood has learned to juggle his athletic pursuits with his studies at the demanding Hartford, Conn., college.

“It’s a challenging school, but I feel it’s benefited me a lot,” said Wood, an economics major. “I had opportunities for other schools where I maybe could have played Division I, but I made the perfect decision for me. It’s a challenging education, and I’m glad to have the balance that Trinity forces you to have.”

Walk in the park – Windham 9s and 10s fall in winners bracket final

Salem Editor — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:02:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Prior to his team’s game against Windham in the District 1 9- and 10-year-old Little League all-star tournament winners bracket final, Goffstown manager Bob Gurskis knew his team was in for a battle.

It turns out he had no idea.

“We noticed right away, before the game, how organized and strong they are,” said Gurskis. “Their practice definitely showed, as far as their fielding and hitting is concerned.”

Though Windham relinquished a 16-9, fourth inning lead and lost, 22-17, Gurskis maintained his respect for this foe.

“I just know in my heart we’re going to see Windham again,” he said. “What a great coaching staff and a great bunch of players. I can’t say enough about that team.”

“It’s Little League baseball, and the thing about Goffstown is that they don’t give up, and they showed it today,” said Windham’s manager, Jim Bail. “It was just a dogfight. I mean, what else can I say about that type of output by both sides?”

Goffstown put up five runs in the top of the first inning, only to have Windham come back in the bottom of the inning with an offensive show of its own.

Kellin Bail, Christian Thompson, Mike Goglia and David Carbonello led with walks, plating one run.

After a strikeout, Kurtis Jolicoeur walked, and Goglia stole home. Josh Gallagher then knocked Carbonello in, and Pat Higgins and Bail each added RBI doubles to give Windham a 7-5 lead.

Though Goffstown plated four runs the next two innings, Windham answered with a six-run third.

After Kevin Anderson led off with a walk, Tommy Raposo and Bail singled to load the bases, bringing up Thompson, who drew four balls to push a run in. Carbonello, Tim Hillman and Jolicoeur all walked, and when the Goffstown pitcher couldn’t handle a return throw from the catcher, Carbonello came in to score Windham’s 12th run.

Two more walks, drawn by Gallagher and Anderson, brought in another run to give the locals a four-run lead.

Windham put three additional runs on the board in the fourth inning on a Bail single, a Ben Vitolo sacrifice bunt, an error on the first baseman, which allowed Goglia to reach third base and Bail to score, and RBI knocks by Carbonello on a double and Hillman on a single.

Windham added a run in the fifth inning, but Goffstown came back with a five-run fifth and a seven-run sixth to win.

“A game like this is hard on the ticker, and I expect to see (Goffstown) again next week,” said Bail of his team’s chances to reach the tournament championship on Saturday, July 14, and, Windham hopes, a winner-take-all contest on Sunday, July 15. “I’d like to think that, given a second chance, we can make things go our way.”

Rocky start – An 8-1 loss puts Windham in a tough tourney spot

Salem Editor — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:56:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Pitcher Colin Begin fanned the first three batters in the game and then homered to straight-away center to lead off the second inning. But on Monday, June 25, personal and team success proved short-lived for Windham’s 11- and 12-year-old Little League all-stars.

Begin allowed eight runs in the bottom of the second inning in an 8-1 loss to Concord National.

“It was looking good early, but Concord had some real good hitters and a real strong team,” said Arthur Mullin, Windham manager. “We lost the game in one inning. The rest of the game was pretty tight.”

Lefty Ben Petron, inserted with two outs in the second, shut out Concord National for the remainder of the game.

But Windham only threatened again in the top of the sixth, when it loaded the bases with one out.

John Hennessey made good contact, but lined the ball right to the second baseman, who threw to the National shortstop at second base for the final out of the game on a 6-4 double play.

Mullin said Windham, with a little discipline, can still make a run in the losers bracket.

“(It was) just base running errors, that’s all, that we’re going to have to work on to make it through the tournament,” said Mullin.

But Concord National manager David Angus, with nine years coaching, said Windham has a long hard road ahead.

“You get in the losers bracket and you’ve got to come back to win something like 11 in a row,” said Angus. “I don’t care how good you are … you’re going to run into problems … To lose this early, it’s almost impossible.”

Mullin said he welcomes the challenge of winning 11 in a row.

“That’s all right. We should be able to do that,” he said. “We just have to eliminate the mistakes and play some smart baseball.”

Windham awaits the loser of the Auburn-Bedford game, which it will play Saturday, June 30, at 1 p.m. The location is still to be determined.