Sitting at 3-7 for the season’s midpoint, it looked bleak for Hand baseball, but now the Tigers are right where they want to be and playing at their best during just the perfect time.

The Tigers took two of three contests to move their mark to 8-8 and punch their ticket to the state tournament. Hand first fell to Law 8-3 on May 12 before a 5-2 win over West Haven the next day, and then a 10-5 decision over Career on May 14.

“We were 3-7 and have climbed all the way back up to be 8-8 and we are playing our best baseball of the season at just the right time,” said Head Coach Travis LaPointe, whose team has won five of its last six. “This win qualifies us for the state tournament, and we are going to be a tough match up for anyone we play.”

Facing Law, Ray Miklos had an RBI double, and Scott Braren and Jack Pancak each had RBI singles for the Tigers, as Hand finishes 3-3 in SCC Hammonasset Division play.

“Our infield defense struggled today, and we gave up five unearned runs. Law is a top ten team and you cannot afford to give them any help,” said LaPointe. “Law is a legit contender for the state title and played a great game today.”

For Hand versus West Haven, Miklos had two hits and an RBI double; Pancak had two hits and two RBIs; and Braren and Sean Scoopo also added RBI hits. Brian Anderson pitched a complete game five-hitter for the victors.

“Brian Anderson threw an incredible game. He pitched like an ace throwing a complete-game five-hitter,” said LaPointe. “This was easily our best performance of the year. We combined great pitching, with great defense, and timely, clutch hitting. If we can play with this type of confidence, we are tough to beat.”

In the Career matchup, Braren hit a three-run homer and had an RBI triple, Scoopo had two hits and two RBIs, while Reed Smith and Miklos each had two hits and an RBI, as Drew Harmon pitched his first complete game of the year to improve to 3-0. 

“He is only a sophomore, but he has the composure of a senior,” said LaPointe on Harmon. “This was a big win for us.  In our first game versus Career they beat us pretty good, but today we have proven that we are a much better team than we were a month ago.”