BEACON FALLS — After a 4-1 start to the season, Derby cooled off the hot Hawks earlier this week.
The Raiders defeated Woodland, 6-4, in NVL baseball action on Tuesday afternoon in Derby. Woodland had won its previous three games.
In recent games, Woodland’s bats delivered in big spots. That wasn’t the case Tuesday against Derby, which improved to 3-3 with the win.
“We had several chances to take control of the game, but couldn’t get the big hits with guys in scoring position,” Woodland head coach Mike Kingsley said.
However, Jared Grillo continued his hot hitting with two hits and two RBI, while Mike Kenney and Tyler Boisvert both had singles and plated a run.
Grillo doubled home a run and scored twice in a 7-5 win over Wilby on April 17. Two days earlier, he doubled, drove in two runs and scored a run in a 5-1 win over Goodwin Tech.
Tyler Boisvert, who combined with Kenney on a three-hitter last week’s win over Wilby, started the game for Woodland. Dylan Cummings came on in relief against Derby and kept the Hawks in the game.
“Dylan Cummings once again came in in relief and did a great job of keeping the game close to give us a chance,” Kingsley said. “He has been tremendous in relief role.”
Also in the win over Wilby, it was Boisvert who threw 4 2/3 innings of one-hit relief with five strikeouts. Matt Butterworth singled, drove in a run and scored a run for the Hawks, while Kenney singled twice with two RBI.
In the win over Goodwin Tech, Matt Spofford tossed a six-hitter with seven strikeouts for the Hawks. Sam Merriman also singled and scored twice.
Woodland bounced back from the loss to Derby with a 15-5 victory over Sacred Heart Wednesday to improve to 5-2.
Spofford allowed three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven in five innings. Merriman hit a double and a triple to go along with two RBI and two runs scored. Boisvert added two singles, four RBI and three runs scored.
The Hawks have a busy stretch coming up. Woodland will play games at St. Paul Catholic (April 24), home against Torrington (April 25), at Ansonia (April 27), and home games versus Holy Cross (April 29) and Watertown (April 30).
