By Michael Letendre

BCHS Baseball ready to battle Bristol Eastern in a can’t miss crosstown battle on Monday

BRISTOL – A very hungry Bristol Central baseball team is ready for the challenge against Bristol Eastern on Monday (6:30 p.m., Muzzy Field) in a CCC South bout.

And the Rams have a bit of a renewed energy back on the field.

After a bit of tomfoolery, Central is back to its winning ways after shutting out Plainville by a 6-0 final on Saturday.

Now, the focus is getting better by the practice, by the game, and that starts with a showdown against the Kingstreeters.

“For us, it’s just playing good baseball,” said Bristol Central coach Bunty Ray. “I think this team is capable.”

After spinning Rocky Hill 4-2 on Friday, April 22, the Rams have struggled a bit.

Central fell to Middletown (9-2), Maloney (7-4), and Platt (7-1) over a week’s worth of games.

But things changed against Plainville this past Saturday.

The Rams earned its first shutout, a 6-0 triumph over Plainville, helping to get the program back on track.

And sometimes, it just takes one victory to jumpstart a season. 

“We hit a three-game slide there where we just weren’t playing well after the Rocky Hill game. Now, we have an opportunity to go out and just play better. I think if we play better with a little more passion against our opponents, I think we’re going to be in games.”

“At least when you’re in games, you have a chance to win.”

The game against Eastern could feature Frank Spirito on the mound for Central.

And Spirito is a prime-time player with plenty experience on the hill.

Don’t forget about Nate Pirog who racked up two of the three Central wins this season. He could be in the mix as well.

Aiden Lopez (second base) has been a constant as Central’s leadoff hitter while Spirito is a solid clean-up hitter.

Mike Allan is a capable hitter at No. 9 while some of the other players can be slotted up and down the line-up.

Ryan Ring (catcher), the ever-improving Christian Stafford (third base), Anthony Santilli (outfield), Oscar Kuzniar (DH, pitcher), Brian Capezzone (outfield), Sean Deprey (outfielder), and Zach Vanasse (centerfield) among a host of other contributors.

Ray just wants to get back to hitting and defense and if those elements come to the forefront, everything else should work out for the program.

“I just want to play clean baseball,” said Ray. “I want to throw strikes. I want to play good defense. I cannot predict what’s going to happen offensively.”

Finally, getting JT Clark back from injury was a huge deal for the Rams.

The senior’s on-field presence was missed because he’s a mover and a shaker.

And whether it’s his glove at second base or getting on-base and stealing a couple bases – like he did against Plainville last Saturday – Clark is a big weapon in the Central line-up.

“It was nice to get JT back,” said Ray of Clark. “I know that was a huge plus for us. I know he didn’t go in [against Plainville] and get great at-bats but any at-bats and just having his presence there was huge.”

Bristol Central Baseball – 2022

Head Coach: Bunty Ray (15th season)

Current Record: 3-7 overall

Streak: Won 1; Central defeated Plainville on Saturday, 6-0.

Results to Date:

*Lost to Maloney, 7-2 (April 4)

*Fell at Plainville, 4-3, in nine innings (April 11)

*Lost at Avon, 7-4 (April 13)

*Won at Farmington, 4-3 (April 14 – Ray’s 200th win)

*Lost at Simsbury, 3-1 (April 18)

*Beat Rocky Hill, 4-2 (April 22)

*Defeated at Middletown, 9-2 (April 23)

*Swept by Maloney, 7-4 (April 25)

*Lost to Platt, 7-1 (April 27)

*Picked off Plainville, 6-0 (April 30)