The Tomahawks traveled to Meriden to take on Maloney on an overcast, chilly, lazy day in a non-division game. After grabbing a 4-0 lead after the top of the 3rd inning, the Tomahawks put it on cruise control - and it almost cost them. Erratic pitching by the opponent caused what focus there was to sail off the edge quickly. An overall unenthusiastic performance enabled Maloney to tie the score, 4-4, scoring 4 in the bottom of the 3rd, and to make a game of it for the rest of the way. Fortunately, the T'Hawks escaped with a 6-5 win, improving their overall record to 14-5.
Jimmy Hill climbed to the top of the bump for the Tomahawks & backed up his nifty relief win versus New Britain a week ago today. Hill went the distance in a gutsy performance. He allowed only 1 earned run on 5 hits, striking out 5 & walking 3. It was his 3rd win of the season.
The Tomahawks opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd without a hit. Kevin O'Connell led off with a walk. Jason Sutkowski followed up with a walk. With no one out, O'Connell caught all of guard with a steal of 3rd, Sutkowski remaining at 1st. After an out, Nick Neild's ground out force play drove in O'Connell with the 1st run. Alex Hanelt was hit with a pitch; Spencer Haymond walked to load the bases with 2 outs. Josh Barrett's walk scored Neild with the 2nd run of the inning.
The T'Hawks added 2 more runs in the top of the 3rd to get out to a 4-0 lead. Kyle Richards led off the inning with a ground single up the middle. After a force out at 2nd, Sutkowski walked. Bryan Mester's looping liner was misplayed by the 2nd baseman, loading the bases. A walk to Neild plated O'Connell; a walk to Hanelt plated Sutkowski to close the scoring for the inning.
Maloney woke up with 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd. A lead-off double got things rolling. After a strikeout, a single scored the 1st run. A throwing error on the next hitter set runners up at 2nd & 3rd. A ground out to the 1st baseman for the 2nd out of the inning scored the 2nd run. Runs 3 & 4 came on an "el bomb" over the left-center field fence to tie the score.
The Tomahawks bounced back with a run of their own in the top of the 4th to retake the lead. Richards walked with one out and stole 2nd base. After a strikeout, Zach Hummel hit a looping liner into left field for a base knock to drive in Richards.
The T'Hawks added what proved to be an important 6th run in the top of the 5th. Neild walked to lead off the inning. An Alex Hanelt sacrifice bunt moved him to 2nd. After a ground out moved Neild to 3rd, Josh Barrett followed with a line single to left, scoring Neild to make the score 6-4 Tomahawks.
Maloney scored a run in the bottom of the 5th to get back within 1 run, 6-5. A lead off single, followed by an error and & walk loaded the bases. An infield fly left the bases loaded. With one out, one of those crazy, don't get anyone fielder's choice singles scored the run. Hill responded by striking out the next 2 hitters with the bases loaded to end the threat and the scoring for the game.
Richards, Hummel & Barrett had the Tomahawks' hits. 10 Tomahawks walked & one was plunked by a pitch.
The Tomahawks end regular season play tomorrow, hosting East Catholic at Riverfront Park in a 3:45pm contest, weather permitting. CIAC Class LL State Tournament play begins next week with seedings and pairings announced early Friday afternoon.
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