NAUGATUCK — After starting the season on a high note with back-to-back wins, the Greyhounds have fallen into a bit of a slump, dropping four straight.
“I don’t think the weather has anything to do with it,” said Naugatuck head coach Tom Deller in reference to inclement weather postponing games and wreaking havoc with practice schedules. “The other teams don’t seem to be having a problem scoring runs against us.
“It’s a little bit a pressure getting out to a 2-0 start and a little lack of focus at times. Once you start losing you start squeezing a little bit and you make things a little more difficult.”
Naugatuck (2-4) began last week with a 6-2 loss to Sacred Heart on April 9. The Greyhounds held the lead in the fifth inning but fell behind when Justin Stephens hit a go-ahead grand slam for the Hearts.
The Greyhounds had a game get away from them last Wednesday versus Wolcott. The game was tied 1-1 in the fourth inning before the Eagles pulled away for a 7-1 win.
Zack Royka and Tommy Ayash had two hits each for the ‘Hounds. Nick Bruno had a double and Mark Nofri drove in the only Naugy run.
Naugatuck fell behind early to Torrington last Friday and lost 6-3. Mike Natkiel had a single and a double to pace the offense. Mike Patton went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
On Wednesday, Holy Cross defeated Naugatuck, 8-1. Derrick Jagello doubled and scored Naugy’s run on Natkiel’s sacrifice fly. Royka also had two hits.
“Our pitching has been doing very well,” Deller said. “You can’t expect to strike everyone out and expect to win games 1-0 and 2-1. Our defense has struggled at some points and allowed runs we shouldn’t have.
“Pitching wise we have done enough to win games. I have talked to the kids about our offense and asked them what is the difference between the preseason where we came out and scored a bunch of runs and then we get punched in the gut against Sacred Heart and Wolcott.”
Deller said after falling behind against Torrington the team started pressing and wasn’t loose at the plate.
“We are not playing loose as we were in the first week of the season and we are definitely not playing confident,” Deller said. “Every game is a chance to get back on the horse.
“We can beat anyone in the league and we can lose to everyone in the league. There are no give me’s in this league. You have to come out and work for it and play with some confidence.”
Naugatuck is scheduled to finish out the week Friday at home versus Watertown.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated from the version that appears in the April 20 print edition of the Citizen’s News to include information on games played through April 18.
