Naugy snaps out of lull

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Naugatuck’s Jason Bradley (19) throws to first base after getting the force out at second on Seymour’s Zach Sirowich (42) May 7 in Naugatuck. Seymour won the game 3-1. The Greyhounds followed the loss with two wins. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Jason Bradley (19) throws to first base after getting the force out at second on Seymour’s Zach Sirowich (42) May 7 in Naugatuck. Seymour won the game 3-1. The Greyhounds followed the loss with two wins. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck baseball team dropped a tough 3-1 decision to Seymour May 7 at Rotary Field as the Greyhounds lost for the third time in a span of four games. In those three defeats, the ‘Hounds managed to cross the plate only once, creating urgency for Naugatuck to strike a little consistency in its offense.

Earlier in the lull, Holy Cross snapped Naugy’s nine-game winning streak with a 2-0 win and Torrington dealt Naugatuck a 5-0 loss. After scoring just one run against Seymour, Greyhounds head coach Tom Deller had concerns about the lack of offense.

“You are not going to beat anyone in this league scoring one run,” Deller said. “We got shut out twice, and if we plan on playing in the postseason we had better get our offense going again. Seymour is a well-coached team, but we had our opportunities and we just didn’t take advantage of them. If we take care of our business we will be OK.”

The Greyhounds got back on track May 8, rebounding with a 6-4 win over Kennedy at Waterville Park. John Dean earned the win on the hill, allowing just two hits and two runs through five innings while striking out seven.

Naugatuck showed some consistency against the Eagles, plating single runs in the first and fourth innings while putting up a three-run uprising to build a comfortable 5-0 advantage.

Josh Aviles banged out three hits, scored a run and had an RBI to pace the Greyhounds’ attack. Adam Tavares had an RBI and scored a run, while Jason Bradley came through with a two-run single.

Kennedy made it exciting by rallying with a four-run sixth inning before Naugatuck put the game in the win column after scoring an insurance run in the seventh for the 6-4 final margin.

Kevin Mariano had a double and a run scored in the win over Kennedy. Evan Pelliccia scored a run and Matt Giglio, Jovanni Torres and Colin Leary added hits for the ‘Hounds.

“It was good to bounce back after a tough loss to Seymour,” Deller said. “But to be honest we were fortunate to get out of there with a win against Kennedy. We could and should have played better than we did. We missed out on a few early opportunities. You can’t overlook anyone in this league regardless of their record. We need to come to play every game and take no one for granted.”

Naugatuck’s Spencer Dreher rips a single May 7 versus Seymour in Naugatuck. Seymour won the game 3-1. The Greyhounds followed the loss with two wins. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Spencer Dreher rips a single May 7 versus Seymour in Naugatuck. Seymour won the game 3-1. The Greyhounds followed the loss with two wins. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Naugatuck wasted a solid pitching performance against then-unbeaten Seymour as Rick Plasky scattered just five hits and struck out four. The Greyhounds did pull off a couple of fielding gems to help Plasky out on the mound.

The Wildcats plated two runs in the third before Bradley started an inning-ending double play with a great stab in the hole at shortstop. Tavares tracked down a long foul ball down the first base side and second baseman Kyle Plasky speared a line drive to end another Seymour uprising.

Naugatuck managed to get on the board in the sixth when Aviles doubled and came around to score on an RBI single by Tavares. That was all the ‘Hounds could gather as Nick Kuzia spun a three-hitter for the complete-game win.

After nearly a week off, Naugy improved to 12-4 with an 8-2 win over Wilby on Wednesday. Spencer Dreher struck out four batters in five innings on the mound. He also went 2-for-4 with four RBI and run scored.

Naugatuck is scheduled to host Sacred Heart Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The ‘Hounds will visit Torrington on Monday night and host Holy Cross on Tuesday.