The seniors on the Branford baseball team were denied the opportunity to chase their dreams on the field this spring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Head Coach Stephen Malafronte and the members of the Branford Baseball Booster Club felt bad about that, so they decided to do something to show those athletes how much they appreciate them, something that would give the seniors a positive feeling as they get ready for life beyond high school. On June 9, the Hornets held an event at which Coach Malafronte let his seniors know that their efforts didn’t go unnoticed.

Branford’s coaches, athletes, and their family members got together for a senior appreciation ceremony at the Town Green. Malafronte and assistant coach Bryan Maturo both gave a speech in which they talked about how much the seniors mean to the program. Malafronte then presented each one of the seniors with their practice jersey in a show of gratitude for all the hard work they’ve done during the past few years.

“We wanted to have a little celebration, the culminating event of their baseball careers, and give them a chance to see each other one last time before they go off to school. We wanted to let the seniors know that their four years meant something and that the younger kids noticed how hard they worked,” Malafronte said. “Our seniors may not have been all-stars, but they worked as hard as anybody else. Every year, we had a senior who stepped up and filled a role, and it was a shame that we couldn’t see who that guy was this year. So, we wanted to let them know that we care and appreciate all that they have done.”

The six athletes in Branford’s senior class are captains Jake Bodner and Bennett Gentile, who are both pitchers and also play the outfield, along with infielder Louis Arminio, infielder AJ Bruchman, outfielder Ben Cooke, and pitcher/first baseman Sean Healy. Gentile, who became the Hornets’ starting left fielder in his sophomore year, delivered a speech that saw him thank everyone affiliated with the program for making his three seasons on the team an enjoyable experience. Gentile also handed down a bat to junior pitcher Collin McNeil for displaying an excellent work ethic and a ton of potential on the ballfield.

“I really appreciate how they put that together, and I thank the Branford Booster Club for making it happen. It means a lot,” Gentile said. “The seniors didn’t get to play our season, and there were a few seniors on the team that never got a chance to play varsity. This was a good chance to put us all together.”

Bodner, who also made his varsity debut as a sophomore, was happy to get together with his coaches and teammates on the green. While he knows there’s no way to replicate the emotions of an actual Senior Night, Bodner said it was great to simply see everyone’s face and feel some good vibes during these difficult times.

“Overall, it was just nice to see the guys, talk to the coaches, and catch up about things like our future plans. I found out where some of my teammates are going to college, and I told them where I am going,” said Bodner, who will be attending Villanova University. “The mood was definitely uplifting. It’s hard to have a really good mood, because we all know what was supposed to happen, but overall, everyone was in high spirits, and we did the best with what we had.”

The Hornets were certainly striving to do their best on the diamond this year. After the team missed out on making the State Tournament last spring, Branford’s athletes were determined to get back into the bracket in 2020. Even though the season never happened, Gentile was proud of how hard the Hornets worked during the offseason, in addition to the relationships they created throughout that process.

“We were really motivated. This winter, we were all in the gym working out, and we were excited for the year. We bonded really well and had great chemistry with each other. We were pumped up and ready to put in work to get into the playoffs, which was our goal,” said Gentile, who is going to the University of Tampa. “I am going to miss them. I didn’t get a chance to play with most of them, but I will miss them. These are great guys with great work ethics who are always determined. They’re just really good kids.”

Bodner said that receiving his practice jersey was a nice parting gift that will forever serve as a reminder of what it means to a be a member of the Branford baseball squad. Like his teammates, Bodner learned many life lessons that will benefit him long after his playing days are done.

“Being part of the Branford baseball program has definitely been an honor and a privilege. It’s showed me how hard work pays off and that, when you commit yourself to a system, you can do anything,” Bodner said. “I’ll have that jersey for the rest of my life. I will always be able to look at that Branford baseball logo, and it will remind me of the core values that I’ve learned and how hard my teammates and I worked.”

Coach Malafronte has been watching the Hornets’ ballplayers work hard since they were 12 years old and feels proud of them for growing up into fine young adults. Malafronte was especially proud about the maturity his seniors displayed while dealing the fact that they didn’t get to play their final campaign.

“I just want to say how proud I am of my seniors. I’m proud of the men that they’ve become,” said Malafronte. “They handled this situation with dignity and pride. They didn’t get their fair shake, but they never complained, and were ready to go if the bell had sounded. That was their mindset, and I’m proud of them for the way they handled it.”