Third-inning Rally Lifts BK Baseball Past Berlin for 6th Straight Win

Sawyer Trudeau on the mound ANTHONY ANGELILLO PHOTO

The Blue Knights found themselves in an unfamiliar spot Sunday afternoon. Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning against Berlin, a Southington lineup that had scored 10 or more runs three times in the last two weeks looked lifeless after going down in order through the first two frames. That changed in a hurry.

Southington erupted for three runs and added an insurance run in the sixth to pull away for a 4-2 win over Berlin at home, extending the Blue Knights’ winning streak to six games and improving their record to 16-2 overall and 8-1 in Central Connecticut Conference play.

The result marked the second time Southington took down the Redcoats this season after beating them 5-2 at Dunkin’ Park on April 24. In both meetings, the Blue Knights overcame early deficits by leaning on the same formula that has carried them all spring: pitching depth and aggressive baserunning.

Sophomore right-hander Sawyer Trudeau drew the start and worked through the first two innings with relative ease, striking out the side in the first after surrendering back-to-back leadoff walks.

The third inning was a different story. A leadoff walk and a stolen base put a Berlin runner in scoring position before the Redcoats’ shortstop Jack Swanson lined a shot down the right-field line to make it 1-0. Head coach Stan Switala went to the bullpen and called on freshman left-hander Bryce Zielinski.

A sacrifice bunt by moved the runner to third and a deep sacrifice fly to left brought him home to put Berlin ahead 2-0.

Zielinski then tossed 3.1 innings of one-hit, scoreless ball to earn the win. He also started the April 24 matchup at Dunkin’ Park and has become one of the most reliable arms in a rotation that has allowed just 3.6 runs per game on the season.

The bottom of the third flipped the game on its head. Freshman first baseman SJ Switala drew a leadoff walk and stole second base to put himself in scoring position. After a strikeout, senior right fielder Connor Lentini laced a line drive to center field that scored Switala and then advanced to third after the relay throw sailed past the catcher and hit the backstop. Lentini, who leads the CCC West with 23 runs scored and 12 stolen bases on the season, once again made things happen on the basepaths when the team needed a spark.

Junior center fielder Drew Kelly kept the rally alive by beating out a soft liner toward third for an infield hit. A throwing error behind the bag at first allowed Lentini to race home and tie the game at 2-2.

Junior second baseman Mason Lefort, who carries a league-leading .627 on-base percentage, followed by putting the ball in play as Kelly broke for third. Lefort beat the throw to first while Kelly slid home safely to give Southington a 3-2 lead.

The Blue Knights tacked on an insurance run in the sixth after two quick strikeouts. Junior designated hitter Tyler Guerrette reached base and sophomore third baseman Ethan Herens roped a liner into right field to bring him around and push the lead to 4-2.

Junior right-hander Cole Kosko worked 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen before junior shortstop Domenic Zigmont, the CCC West leader in batting average at .432, came in from the field to record the final out and close the door.

The win keeps Southington firmly atop the CCC West and in a strong position for a high seed in the conference tournament, which begins with quarterfinals on May 22. The Blue Knights also sit at No. 6 in CIAC Class LL with the state tournament qualifying round set for May 30.

The program has not won a Class LL title since 1999 and after semifinal and quarterfinal exits the past two postseasons, the combination of a deep pitching staff and balanced lineup gives this group its best chance to break through in years.

Berlin, led by head coach Leo Veleas in his 39th year at the helm, dropped to 7-5 but remains in the Class L playoff picture at No. 7. The Redcoats host New Britain on Monday.

Southington returns to action Monday against Plainville for their senior day celebration before wrapping up the regular season at home against the Cheshire Rams on Tuesday. Both games are slated for a 6:30 first pitch.