The Branford Senior American Legion baseball team has exploded out of the gates this summer with a 7-0 record through the early going. Post 83 swept a doubleheader at Ansonia by scores of 9-0 and 13-1 on June 13 and posted a 10-1 home triumph versus Ansonia the next day. Rich Balzano's squad then edged Milford 2-1 on June 18 and 1-0 in another home game the day after that. Branford completed the week by taking both ends of a double-dip with New Haven at home on June 20 behind finals of 10-0 and 5-1.

Post 83 had previously prevailed in a trio of non-zone home contests by defeating Stamford 9-6, the Connecticut Grind 2-1, and Guilford 15-1.

"We're off to a great start. The pitching has been outstanding. We have scored 50 runs in seven games and given up only four," Coach Balzano said. "I did not anticipate such a great start, but all the boys seem to be adjusting and enjoying coming together again. It's always difficult to learn a new system in such a limited period of practice time, but the kids have worked very hard to get here."

In the zone opener against Ansonia, Dylan Millhouse struck out seven in six innings with Nick Candelora working the seventh. Balzano credited Millhouse for keeping Ansonia off-balance by mixing his changeup and breaking ball. Will Coleman and Chris Stankiewicz each had three hits each with the latter also recording three RBI, as did Geoff Yasevac. Post 83 scored five runs in the third, three in the fifth, and one in the sixth en route to the 9-0 shutout.

In the second game, Mike Keinz fanned seven in four innings with Candelora again closing the door. Leading 3-1 in the fifth, Branford erupted for 10 runs with key hits by Devin Derenzo and Stankiewicz, who each had three RBI.

Sean Halligan tossed a two-hitter when Branford completed its series sweep of Ansonia with the 10-1 win. The game was tied 1-1 heading to the fourth when Stankiewicz singled and scored on an error. Post 83 turned this one into a laugher by plating eight in the sixth. Derenzo, Stankiewicz, and Will Coleman each had two hits for the game.

Facing Milford a few days later, it was Dawson Frawley's turn to shine on the bump. Frawley allowed just three hits and struck out six with Millhouse working a clean seventh for the save. Milford led 1-0 going into the fifth, but Bryce Baker singled, took second on Yasevac's sacrifice bunt, and scored on a balk. Then in the sixth, Coleman doubled and Tyler Criscuolo singled him home for the 2-1 margin.

In the 1-0 triumph over Milford, Kienz sat down nine with strikeouts in six innings by mixing his fastball, cutter, and curve. Delise pitched the seventh to get the save. Post 83 plated the game's only run in the sixth when Coleman walked, took second on Criscuolo's sacrifice bunt, and scored on a double from Mike Querfeld.

In the doubleheader with New Haven, Millhouse tossed five scoreless innings in which he gave up three hits and struck out five before the game was stopped due to the mercy rule. Branford scored six in the first to breeze to victory. Criscuolo and Stankiewicz both had two hits.

Halligan earned the win by working out of several jams in the 5-1 nightcap. Post 83 scored their first run in the opening inning as Coleman singled, swiped second, and scored on Derenzo's hit. In the third, Coleman walked, Criscuolo single, and both came across on an error. The fourth saw BJ Massey single and score when Baker singled and Baker later singled and raced home on Derenzo's knock in the sixth.

Branford comes off a 2015 campaign in which it went 29-1 for the regular season to win the Zone 2 title for the fifth-straight year. Post 83 won its State Tournament series versus Orange two games to one, followed by a victory versus Berlin, after which they lost to Cheshire and were eliminated by Stamford to finish 32-4. Balzano's program has won the state and Northeast Regional titles en route to the American Legion World Series four times since 2005.