Hackers seeking fourth straight NABA title

0
52

NAUGATUCK — The Hackers’ quest for another Southern Connecticut NABA league title is off to a good start.

Naugatuck’s adult baseball league team, known as the Connecticut Hackers, swept the Shelton Reds in a doubleheader last Sunday. A combination of timely hitting and solid pitching helped the Hackers win by scores of 11-2 and 7-0 at Naugatuck High School.

Steve Webb gave the Hackers a fast start in game one. Webb led off the game with a single, stole two bases and scored on a Dam Kaminski sacrifice fly.

In the second, Craig Vincelette smashed a one-out double, his first of five hits on the day. Vincelette eventually scored on two wild pitches to give the Hackers a 2-0 edge.

Later in the inning, Webb and Kaminski added run-scoring hits to make it 4-0.

In the fifth, Jacin Perez stroked a two-run double, and Vincelette added a two-run single.

“Vincelette was shot out of a cannon, hitting at a .714 clip with seven RBIs,” Hackers player/manager Mike Doran said.

With plenty of run support, pitcher Mike Fox did his job. Fox tossed a complete game, struck out 12 and allowed only five hits and two earned runs.

“Though Mike didn’t have his best command, he still kept the Reds at bay,” Doran said.

In game two, the Hackers pitching staff took control. Jeff Farrell and Webb combined to throw a no-hitter in the seven-inning game.

Farrell started the contest, went six innings and struck out eight. Webb came on, in the seventh, to close the game.

“Farrell’s arm strength and stamina are up this year, and he was able to spot his pitches really well,” Doran said. “Fox and he are going to be a formidable one-two punch.”

The Hackers, sponsored this season by Slainte Pub and Eatery, broke through, with three runs in the third inning. Farrell added an RBI single and later scored on a Vincelette two-run double to give the Hackers a 3-0 lead.

Vincelette, who had three hits in the second game, added a two-run double in the fifth.

Overall, the fast start is a good sign.

“It’s good to carry over our success from last year by convincingly winning the first two games of the season,” Doran said. “We’re shooting for a fourth consecutive league championship title, a feat that would put us into the league’s history books.”