Printer Friendly Version - Branford Baseball Broke Through to States in Second Half Surge

TJ Wenger earned the George Dummar Coaches’ Award for his efforts on the field this spring with Branford baseball. Photo courtesy of Gretchen McMahon

Branford’s Antonio Lynk finished with figures of a .333 batting average, .961 OPS, 17 baseknocks, six doubles, and six RBI on the season for Branford baseball, as he was named to the All-SCC Second Team and won the team’s Offensive Player of the year award. Photo courtesy of Gretchen McMahon

Some teams see bleak odds to achieve a goal and simply pack it in and start the focus upon the next campaign, whereas those that have the truest heart and temperance of a competitor forge on and fight until the final out. The Branford baseball team took the second option and remarkably rebounded to punch a playoff ticket.

The Hornets fought their way to seven victories for the regular season to nab the final spot in the Class L State Tournament as the 32nd seed. In the first round, they took a hard-fought 5-3 loss to top-ranked Woodstock Academy to finish 7-14 overall.

Skipper Stephen Malafronte detailed that the program as a whole has been keen on taking small but steady steps over the last few seasons. Those tiny but pivotal moves really paid off this spring, as Branford was able to attain its first postseason berth in six years–a berth that looked like a grim possibility through 12 games.

“Our goals for this season were to continue the steady growth we had over the previous two seasons and finally crack into the state tournament,” said Malafronte. “The boys were able to accomplish this goal and make it into the state tournament as the No. 32 seed. The kids worked incredibly hard to accomplish this goal. After starting the season 2-10, making the tournament didn't look like it was going to happen, but the boys went on to win five of their last eight and found a way in.”

Along the way, the Hornets had a flair for the dramatics and a knack for coming up clutch. Branford took contests in walk-off fashion both in and out of its conference. Despite the state tourney loss, it was a signature and poignant moment for the team in giving the heavy favorite all they could handle and leaving it all on the field.

“Some of the major moments of our season included walk-off victories over Hillhouse-Career and again vs. Old Saybrook,” said Malafronte. “Then another big one was the enjoyment of going to play our first states game since 2018 and heading up to Woodstock Academy and giving them everything we had. It was the culmination of years of hard work to get back to that point.”

The success on the field certainly bred a great deal of club camaraderie away from the basepaths, in the dugout, and beyond. At the top, the squad stewards made sure to make sure the mood around the team was one where the work was sure to be put in, while simultaneously keeping the levity up.

“The team bonded and came together as a family on and off the field, celebrating pasta parties together, as well as participating in fundraising activities throughout the season to create an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie,” said Malafronte. “On the field, our captains brought the team together and kept them focused on the task at hand while also leaving enough space to still have fun and have a great time. Our captains were able to find a great balance between work and play, and they created a great atmosphere for our younger players to develop and grow. Our kids throughout the season developed a no-quit attitude that we anticipate to carry over into life.”

Three steady arms anchored the pitching staff for Branford this season. Senior Jack Smith notched a 2.91 earned-run average (ERA) with 29 strikeouts in 45.2 innings. Classmate Tim Rice pitched 24.2 frames, fanning 20 with a 3.12 ERA, and then sophomore Trevor Cser went 2-0 in 24.2 innings of work with 39 Ks and a 2.55 ERA.

“Jack Smith was our horse on the mound and kept us in many ball games over the course of his four years,” said Malafronte. “Tim Rice kept us in many ball games as a starter and reliever. Trevor Cser started the season as a reliever and then earned a way into a starting role.”

Helping those hurlers with run support was senior Anthony Fusco, who finished the season hitting for a .400 batting average after missing eight games to a leg injury to go along with an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .947. He also recorded 14 hits in 13 games with 10 RBI as a late season spark plug. Junior Antonio Lynk finished with figures of a .333 batting average, .961 OPS, 17 baseknocks, six doubles, and six RBI.

“When we got Anthony back in the lineup, we started winning. He was a very key element, and we wish we had him for all 21 games,” Malafronte said. “Antonio was a key piece at the dish for us all season.”

Joining Lynk on Second Team All-SCC was Smith. In terms of team awards that were announced on June 18, senior Giuseppe Piscitelli earned the “No I In Team” Award, Fusco was Team MVP, Smith was Most Outstanding Pitcher, and Lynk was bestowed with the honor of being Team Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Dante DiLegge earned the Gold Glove distinction, senior TJ Wenger took home the George Dummar Coaches’ Award, and Cser was Rookie of the Year.

Piscitelli and Smith served as the team’s captains. It takes great leaders to never waver and stay strong when things seem at their darkest, and these boys set the emotional and physical pace for the rest of the Hornets of what it took to see brighter days.

“I thought our captains’ leadership this year was tremendous. Most teams would have folded under the strain of starting 2-10. These captains didn't let that happen,” said Malafronte. “They are fighters, something that I feel has come about as a result of the course of their career at the high school. They have learned how to get knocked down and get back up, which will help them throughout their lifetimes, as we all know life throws us many curveballs that we need to adjust to. While their leadership styles were a bit different, these two found ways to reach their teammates and get the best out of them day in and day out.”

A pivotal part of the pitching corps for the Hornets will be leaving this year, though there are plenty of underclassmen waiting in the wings that saw varsity action on the mound. The song remains the same with several fielding and infield positions as well. Still, those players got a good feel for what the heart and pride of the Branford program is all about and will act upon it.

“The coaching staff is very excited about next season. We are bringing back several players with varsity experience. And while we lose a large chunk of our pitching staff to seniors graduating, we do return four pitchers with varsity innings under their belt,” said Malafronte. “In the field, we lose our catcher, corner outfielders, and third baseman to graduation but should be able to fill those positions with kids who have some varsity experience. While we lose a great senior class who really helped get the program back on track and heading in a positive direction, we will reload next year with a group who has learned from the previous class on what it will take to be a few steps better next year. The upcoming classes seem passionate and focused on continuing to elevate Branford High School baseball back to its rich traditions and competitive ways.”

The 2024 Branford roster was comprised of seniors Piscitelli, Rice, Wenger, Fusco, Logan Cser, Smith; juniors DiLegge, Noah Volpe, Antonio Lynk, Carson Jarvis; sophomores Jack Bartels, Jordan Greenberg, Noah Stewart, Solano Zander, Shaun Swanson, Trevor Cser, John Mautte, Jake Pombo; plus freshmen Michael Barretta, Adam Burger, Wright Jonte, Manzo Louis, Braeden Ryan, Benicio Lynk, Wyatt Cavallaro, and Chris McKittrick.