St. Paul overrun by Naugatuck in 6 innings, 15-3

white baseball ball on brown leather baseball mittPexel photo

Posted By: David Fortier April 25, 2024

The Naugatuck offense pounded out 14 hits (including two home runs) and took advantage of four St. Paul errors to score 15 runs and mercy the Falcons 15-3 in six innings yesterday at St. Paul High School.

Colton Hofmann pitched the entire game for Naugatuck to pick up the win. Hofmann scattered eight hits and struck out three. Freshman Brian Anderson took the loss in his first varsity start for St. Paul.

Naugatuck scored its first two runs in the top of the first inning. With one out, Kevin Cestari hit a routine fly ball to right field that was dropped. That extended the inning and allowed first baseman Alexander Teixeira to bat with two outs. Teixeira hit the first pitch that he saw over the center field fence to give Naugatuck the early 2-0 lead.

In the top of the second, James Crilly led off with a single to center. After the next two batters were retired, back-to-back infield singles by Damon Abate and Cestari loaded the bases. Dylan Sepulveda’s routine grounder was booted, and Naugatuck had its third run. Then Teixeira hit into a fielder’s choice where no out was recorded, and Naugatuck led 4-0.

In the top of the fourth, Brendan Cummings led off and reached on an infield error. Back-to-back doubles by Abate and Cestari (2 RBIs) ended Anderson’s day on the mound. Dom Napoletano came in to relieve Anderson. The next six Naugatuck batters all reached safely, and Naugatuck had an 11-0 lead.

St. Paul scored its first run in the bottom of the fourth. AJ Corrado led off with a single, and advanced to second when the ball was mishandled in left field. Keaton Kroll singled home Corrado to make it 11-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, facing a loss by mercy rule, St. Paul scored two to prolong the game. With one out, Brian Anderson worked an eight-pitch at bat that ended with him singling to right. Then Cal Chance singled and Coby Dagata walked to load the bases. AJ Corrado followed with is third hit of the day, a two RBI single, to make it 11-3.

In the top of the sixth, Jose Guzman and James Crilly had back-to-back singles to open the frame. Then St. Paul committed its fourth error on a routine ground ball and the bases were loaded. The next batter was struck out. Abate hit a routine fly to right that should have ended the inning, but instead was a sacrifice fly that made it 12-3. That allowed Cestari to bat with two outs, and he deposited an 0-2 pitch over the right field fence for a three-run home run and a 15-3 lead.

St. Paul failed to score in the bottom of the sixth, and the game ended 15-3.

Of Note:

For Naugatuck

Kevin Cestari was 3 for 5 with a home run, a double, 5 RBIs, and 3 runs scored

Alexander Teixeira was 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored

Damon Abate was 2 for 4 with a double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

James Crilly was 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Nathan Gendron was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored

Jose Guzman was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored

For St. Paul

AJ Corrado was 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored

Cal Chance was 2 for 3 with a double and 1 run scored

at St Paul Catholic High School

                            1  2  3  4  5  6  7   R   H   E

Naugatuck (9-2)  2  2  0  7  0  4  X  15  14  1

St Paul (7-4)        0  0  0  1  2  0  X   3    8   4

Pitching                     W/L  IP  K  BB   H   R   ER

Naugatuck

   Colton Hofmann      W    6   3   3     8    3    3

St Paul

   Brian Anderson        L     3   1   1     6    7    2

   Dom Napoletano             1   1   2     4    4   4

   Mike DeRosa                1.1  1   0     3    3   0

   Coby Dagata                  .2   0   0    1    1    0  

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