‘Hounds holding steady

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Naugatuck’s Evan Pelliccia delivers a pitch Monday versus Torrington at Naugatuck High. Pelliccia struck out nine batters, but Torrington won the game, 5-4. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Evan Pelliccia delivers a pitch Monday versus Torrington at Naugatuck High. Pelliccia struck out nine batters, but Torrington won the game, 5-4. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

NAUGATUCK — After defeating Sacred Heart and Kennedy last week, the Greyhounds let one slip through their fingers Monday against Torrington, to hold their record steady at 6-6.

The team has played better than .500 ball this season, but some close games have not gone the Greyhounds’ way.

“We have out hit teams and lost the game this year,” head coach Tom Deller said. “We don’t make a lot of errors, we have played good defense.”

The Torrington game was one of those instances. The ‘Hounds were tied with Torrington  going into the final inning. Dom Sabia stepped up to the plate and cracked the go-ahead homerun in the top of the seventh for the visiting Red Raiders.

Down one, Naugy came up to bat and didn’t give up. The Greyhounds managed to get a runner on base, but stranded him at second to close out a tough 5-4 loss. Brandon Caldwell, Joe Kwaak and Spencer Dreher all had hits. Caldwell had a home run and two RBI, and Kwaak pitched in as well with two RBI.

Evan Pelliccia took the hill for the Greyhounds and struck out nine batters.

“Evan Pelliccia pitched a great game. We struck out nine batters to their three. Unfortunately, we just came up a little short. The game was even closer than the score,” Deller said.

The Greyhounds played well last Friday to earn an 8-4 win over Sacred Heart.

“We always seem to have battles with them historically,” said Deller about the Hearts.
Dreher allowed eight hits while striking out three on the mound. He added an RBI double at the plate.

Caldwell had three hits, including a solo homer, and three RBI to help the Greyhounds to the win.

Naugatuck’s Brandon Caldwell (2) slides safely back into first as Torrington’s Ben Bonvicini tries to pick him off Monday at Naugatuck High. Torrington won the game, 5-4. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Brandon Caldwell (2) slides safely back into first as Torrington’s Ben Bonvicini tries to pick him off Monday at Naugatuck High. Torrington won the game, 5-4. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

“Brandon has been hitting really well for us lately. He has a few homeruns and a ton of hits these past few games,” Deller said.

Steve Marinaro had a single, a double and two RBI and Jason Bradley added an RBI single against Sacred Heart.

On April 29, Naugatuck took down win less Kennedy, 8-2, in a well-deserved win.

“We didn’t look past them,” Deller said. “The thing about our league is it has a lot of parody, anybody can beat anybody. We beat Sacred Heart and they beat Seymour. Seymour beat us 16-2, so we can’t take anyone lightly, regardless of record,” Deller said.

Corey Plasky allowed four hits with seven strikeouts in a complete-game effort in which every Greyhound saw some playing time. Bradley hit a home run and Blake Hess added a two-run single. Jovanni Torres chipped in with a single and three RBI to round out the scorecard.

The Greyhounds fell to 6-7 on the season after losing, 1-0, to Cromwell on Thursday. But the team is one with plenty of upside.

“I don’t feel like we are ever overmatched on the field. It is just a matter of intensity,” Deller said.

The Greyhounds will hit the road to face Derby on Friday and Watertown May 11.