Ups and downs

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Prospect-Beacon Falls still has eyes for tournament

Posts 194-25’s Kevin Gabinelli (8) makes a diving catch in centerfield as Dylan Cummings (42) backs him up June 29 in the first game of a doubleheader versus New Milford at Hotchkiss Park in Prospect. Prospect-Beacon Falls fell 7-5. Posts 194-25 bounced back with a 10-3 win in the second game and still has hopes of making the state tournament. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Posts 194-25’s Kevin Gabinelli (8) makes a diving catch in centerfield as Dylan Cummings (42) backs him up June 29 in the first game of a doubleheader versus New Milford at Hotchkiss Park in Prospect. Prospect-Beacon Falls fell 7-5. Posts 194-25 bounced back with a 10-3 win in the second game and still has hopes of making the state tournament. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

PROSPECT — Posts 194-25 went into a bit of a tailspin after stringing together four wins in five games two weeks ago.

Prospect-Beacon Falls dropped a tough pair of games to Oxford June 25. Posts 194-25 lost a 6-5 decision in 11 innings and a 4-1 loss that began a skid.

The first game with Oxford was a continuation of a game that was suspended due to darkness on June 12 with PBF holding a 5-3 advantage. Matt Spofford, who was the original game starter, took the hill trying to finish it off. Oxford tied the game and then went on to win it in 11 innings.

In the second game Dylan Cummings went the distance allowing two runs in each of the first two innings before shutting out Oxford the rest of the way. Cummings had two hits and scored the only run for PBF as Spofford and Nate Clarke added two hits each.

“Matt pitched another great game for us unfortunately we couldn’t hold the lead,” PBF head coach Jeff Clarke said. “We got hits we just didn’t get them with guys in scoring position.”

The Posts 194-25 offense struggled over the next couple of games dropping a 5-0 outcome to New Milford June 26 and falling to Waterbury, 7-1, at Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

Anthony D’Agnone pitched four innings with Tanner Kingsley going the final two on the mound against New Milford. Matt Wysocki and Kingsley paced the PBF attack with two hits each.

Wysocki got the start against Waterbury on Saturday. Steve Kazalunas went two and two-thirds and Sam Merriman finished the final two innings on the mound. Spofford had two hits and one RBI with Kevin Gabinelli adding a pair of hits.

On Sunday PBF was looking to use a little home field advantage and ended with a split decision over New Milford.

Clarke went six and one-third before exiting with two runners on. Merriman went the final two-thirds and took the hard-luck, 7-5 loss in the first game.

New Milford loaded the bases after a slow roller. A hit to right field followed for New Milford bringing in three runs to account for the 7-5 margin.

Gabinelli had two hits and one run with Merriman adding two hits. Matt Butterworth had three hits for Posts 194-25. Kingsley, Spofford and Merriman all got RBIs to pace the PBF offense.

“That was another tough one,” Clarke added. “We had the lead but couldn’t hold it. A bleeder down the third base side loaded the bases then a misplayed fly ball and that was the game as three runs scored.”

PBF finally broke the skid earning a convincing 10-3 win over New Milford in the second game of the double-header. Spofford pitched the complete game victory for his third win of the season.

Posts 194-25’s Nathan Clarke pitches June 29 in the first game of a doubleheader versus New Milford at Hotchkiss Park in Prospect. Prospect-Beacon Falls lost the game 7-5, but bounced back to win the second game. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Posts 194-25’s Nathan Clarke pitches June 29 in the first game of a doubleheader versus New Milford at Hotchkiss Park in Prospect. Prospect-Beacon Falls lost the game 7-5, but bounced back to win the second game. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

“The guys really came out aggressive in the second game. We capitalized on every opportunity,” Clarke said. “I still feel we have a pretty good chance of making the state tournament.”

Posts 194-25 stole ten bases and that fueled the fire for uprisings in five of the seven innings. Gabinelli had three hits and two RBIs while scoring two runs to lead the offense.

Butterworth had two hits an RBI and a run scored. Merriman added a hit, two RBIs and three runs scored. Rob Stach added a hit, two walks and an RBI.

“It was a good team win,” Clarke said. “We still have hopes of making the state tournament. If we can perform up to our ability we can make the postseason.”

Posts 194-25 stands at 5-12 on the season following a 9-0 loss to Easton Tuesday.

PBF looked to get back in the win column Wednesday against Naugatuck at Rotary Field at 5:45 p.m. Posts 194-25 will be in action on Thursday against Oakville at 5:45 p.m. and visits Waterbury Saturday at Municipal Stadium at 11 a.m.