Branford’s Senior, Junior Legion Teams Eliminated from States; Prep Legion Wins Opener
Senior Legion Baseball
The Branford Senior American Legion baseball team was eliminated from the State Tournament after taking a 10-0 defeat versus Naugatuck at Naugatuck High School on July 24. Post 83 finished the year with an overall record of 18-9 in their first full season with Kyle Heins at the helm as head coach.
Previously, Branford had notched a record of 16-5 in Zone 2 play during the regular season to finish in third place in the zone standings. Branford then opened the State Tournament by playing Naugatuck on the road in the double-elimination Regional portion of the bracket. Post 83 lost a 1-0 decision in 10 innings to Naugatuck on July 21 to put their backs against the wall. Coach Heins’s squad faced Stamford on the road in an elimination the next day and earned a 1-0 win to stay alive and set up a rematch against Naugatuck. After defeating Branford, Naugatuck went on to post a pair of victories versus Guilford and advance to the Super Regional portion of the State Tournament.
Junior Legion Baseball
The Post 83 Junior Legion baseball squad lost to Oakville in its State Tournament opener, routed Fairfield in an elimination game, and was then eliminated from the tournament by taking another loss to Oakville last week. Branford finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 10-19.
Post 83 started off states by dropping a 1-0 decision against Oakville at Pomperaug High School on July 24. The next day, Head Coach Michael Krause’s team hosted Fairfield with its season on the line and claimed a big 12-3 victory at Branford High School. Then on July 27, Branford played an elimination game versus Oakville and took a 9-1 defeat at Pomperaug.
Branford had previously posted a regular-season record of 8-13 in Zone 2 for a fifth-place finish in the standings. Post 83 recorded a 14-7 win over New Haven their regular-season finale to qualify for the State Tournament.
Prep Legion Baseball
The Branford Prep Legion baseball team kicked off the State Tournament by recording a win versus Meriden last week.
Post 83 started the state tourney by hosting familiar foe Meriden at Branford High School on July 26. Post 83 captured a 10-6 victory versus Meriden, which played in Zone A with Branford during the regular season.
Branford will face Stamford at Westhill High School for its next State Tournament contest. The game takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28.
During the regular season, Branford posted a record of 10-9 in Zone A play to finish in second place in the zone standings.