Branford's Senior American Legion Post 83 baseball team recently earned a pair of shutouts, including a perfect game by Shaun Coughlin against Hamden, to finish with a mark of 19-5 against Zone II competition, thus sealing the program's first zone title since 2005.

Coughlin's perfect game came in a 1-0 triumph versus Hamden as he struck out 11. That contest was still scoreless entering the seventh inning when Casey Dadio singled home Mike Forgione, who had singled, with the winning run.

"Shaun did what he has done for three years; win a big game," Coach Rich Balzano said. "He watched Pat Simone throw a no-hitter a week ago so it was his turn to deliver, which he did."

Post 83 then beat Orange 5-0 to wrap up the zone title as Jeff Stoddard tossed a four-hitter. John Lefeber and Jesse Castaldi both had two RBI for Branford with Jess Castaldi also driving a run.

"Jeff was inspired by Shaun's game the night before and wanted to deliver," said Balzano, whose team is 25-6 overall. "Our bats came alive and we put this one away quickly. We have now won the zone and can finally breathe a bit as we focus on doing the little things to get ready for the tournament."

By virtue of winning the zone, Branford advanced past the single-elimination play-in portion of the state tournament to the double-elimination bracket, which began last weekend. The tournament concludes this week with the championship game at 6:30 p.m. on July 31.

After winning the zone, Branford beat Orange 3-1 as Brian Levy tossed a four-hitter in his first start against a Zone II team. Down 1-0 in the fourth, Stoddard singled home Dadio on a play in which Buddy Shea was awarded home after an obstruction call at third base. Forgione later singled home Castaldi for an insurance run in the sixth.

"Levy was great today as he hit his spots, mixed his pitches, and the defense made the plays," said Balzano, whose team concluded its regular season with an 8-2 loss to Orange. "It seems that each game someone steps up to contribute to success."