PBF looks for strong end to season

0
59

It’s no secret that Prospect-Beacon Falls American Legion Posts 194-25 has had its offensive struggles this season, leading to just three wins heading into the final week of the season.

There might be several reasons for that, says center fielder Ryan Genua.

“Well, the metal to wood [bat] transition was harder than we all thought,” Genua says. “The hitting has declined because we do not have the confidence that we had throughout the Woodland season because we have not been winning.”

Genua didn’t pitch for WRHS until the NVL and Class M state tournaments, but is a big part of the PBF pitching staff .

The Hawks put up a 16-9 overall record during the high school season, but that success—powered by both pitching and hitting—has not translated into summer ball. But strong efforts on the mound haven’t been a problem for PBF this season.

“The pitching has been there all year long,” Genua says. “We had good pitching for Woodland and it continued to be good when Legion came around. It’s been the most consistent aspect of the team’s play.”

Genua, who didn’t pitch for Woodland until the Naugatuck Valley League and Class M state tournaments, is part of a PBF pitching staff that has generally done its job in holding opponents off long enough to give Posts 194-25 a chance to win. Tom Arsenault, Brian Langdon and Kyle Georgia have also been key members of the staff, but Georgia was forced to shut down his season two weeks ago with a hip injury.

However solid the pitching has been, though, run production has been hard to come by. Prospect-Beacon Falls scored a season-high seven runs in last week’s 7-3 win over Monroe.

Part of the poor offense may also be blamed on the size of PBF’s roster. After starting off with around 17 players, Posts 194-25 is down to nine or 10 players in the dugout each game.

“We only have 10 when Tom [Arsenault] pitches and nine whenever he doesn’t,” Genua says. “It’s hard because there are never any breaks and some of these kids that have to play every day are doing it for the first time all year. They didn’t have to play every game for Woodland but it’s a great learning experience. It lets you play loose because you know that your spot on the field is guaranteed.”

Tuesday’s game at Oxford was postponed due to rain. PBF’s season finale is scheduled for Friday at 5:45 p.m. in a home contest against Monroe.