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06/10/2024 02:07 AMThe North Branford baseball team amassed a solid regular-season record on the ability to win close games with strong pitching and a fortified defense, plus timely hitting. That same formula did not fail them at all in the first phase of the postseason, as the Thunderbirds took home a conference crown.
Following a 15-win regular season, the top-seeded Thunderbirds began competition in the Shoreline Conference Tournament. North Branford first won against No. 8 Old Saybrook in the quarterfinals on May 20 with a 9-5 victory prior to a thrilling 6-5 comeback triumph over fourth-ranked East Hampton in the semifinals the next day.
The Thunderbirds then met second-seeded Haddam-Killingworth for the crown in the finals on May 25 under the lights of Palmer Field in Middletown. In its second-straight conference championship game berth, North Branford emerged with a title this time thanks to a 4-2 win.
“This was a great feeling to win this Shoreline title for the kids and team,” said Head Coach Billy Mitchell. “They have been working since last September to get back here, and they played as a unit. Both teams are really similar, and so we played a close game, and we were fortunate to come out with the win. We hit the ball well against H-K, but they played good defense to keep us to four runs.”
On the mound, junior Adam Virginelli got the starting nod and pitched 6.1 innings. Classmate Kyle Stegina completed the evening in relief and got the final two outs, while offensively, he had a triple and two runs scored.
“Winning the game showed how hard work paid off. All of the grinding in the offseason with workouts and team bonding paid off,” said Virginelli. “Going into the game, I was confident because I knew my defense would have my back, and they proved me right. I was motivated and encouraged by my team, and there is no other team I would want to win with. I'm so glad I'm on a team where my teammates and coaches pick me up no matter what.”
North Branford scored a pair of runs in the second frame. Then in the fourth, Stegina got on base with a walk before stealing both second and third base, and then finally sophomore Gavin Leone (two RBI on the night) brought him home on a base hit.
The Thunderbirds also bounced back after dropping both games of a doubleheader to close the regular campaign on May 18 against Valley Regional-Westbrook and North Haven.
“We played that doubleheader in crummy weather against two tough teams,” said Mitchell. “But the boys responded to those losses, shook them off, and started a new slate in Shorelines. They played really well in the tournament, even in the first two rounds against very good teams in Old Saybrook and East Hampton.”
Stegina and senior catcher Yamil Perez made First Team All-Shoreline, plus seniors Jason O’Connor and Caleb Allen made the Second Team, with Virginelli being an Honorable Mention.
“Winning the championship has really been something that we had been working so hard for, and the whole team had this goal in mind,” said Stegina. “Going into the game, we all knew it was going to be close, but to us it was really just another game, and we knew not to get overwhelmed. I also truly think that the bond we have created on and off the field played a big role in us winning. I say this because throughout all the adversity and struggles we had this year, it all led up to the game, and everyone on the team left it all out on the diamond. In addition, our coaches, parents, and fans made an unforgettable atmosphere for us players. From the team, we cannot thank them enough for all they do for us.”
In the Class S State Tournament, North Branford was seeded fourth and first took down 29th-seeded Portland by an 8-2 final on May 28 in the first round. Then in the second round at home the next day, the Thunderbirds stayed in the Shoreline and edged 13th-ranked Morgan, 7-6. In the quarterfinals on June 1 hosting No. 21 Somers, the Thunderbirds finished their year with a tough 4-0 loss to conclude the campaign 20-6 overall.
The 2024 North Branford roster is comprised of seniors Victor Castillo, Peter Ramada, Allen; juniors Brady Minnocci, Larson Dievert, Virginelli, O’ Connor, Perez, Matthew Scalia, Ryan DeLucia, Stegina, Jason Cosgrove; sophomores Michael Budd, Nicco Martone, Leone, Jacob Poston, Charles O’Brien, Caleb Raymond, Gabriel Blyschak; plus freshmen Lorenzo Annuziato, Anthony Cassella, Aiden Koltypin, Craig Miller Jr, Gian Troche, and Mario Urbano.
Mitchell is assisted this year by CJ Hersom, Ron Ragozzino, Nick Mancini, and Frank Mentone.
2024 North Branford Baseball Regular Season Results
March 30: North Branford 10, Coginchaug 3
April 1: North Branford 12, Morgan 1
April 8: North Branford 13, Cromwell 4
April 10: North Branford 9, Valley Regional-Westbrook 2
April 13: North Branford 3, Haddam-Killingworth 1
April 22: North Branford 10, Hale-Ray 0
April 23: North Branford 13, Coginchaug 3
April 26: Old Saybrook 4, North Branford 1
April 27: North Branford 3, East Hampton 0
April 29: North Branford 4, Morgan 2
May 1: North Branford 2, Haddam-Killingworth 1
May 3: North Branford 3, East Hampton 0
May 4: North Branford 12, Portland 3
May 7: North Branford 6, Cromwell 4
May 9: Lyman Hall 7, North Branford 6
May 11: Branford 3, North Branford 1
May 13: North Branford 9, Woodstock Academy 8
May 14: North Branford 2, Old Lyme 1
May 18: North Haven 10, North Branford 0
May 18: Valley-Regional Westbrook 1, North Branford 0