By Michael Letendre

SIMSBURY – Ryan Fradette of Bristol’s Senior American Legion baseball team was due for a big hitting game sometime over the summer.

And that contest came to pass on Tuesday night as Fradette smacked out two home runs to lead Post 2 to a 6-3 victory over Simsbury from Memorial Field.

It was a huge win for the Bristol program (6-4 Zone 1), stopping a two-game losing streak dead in its tracks, while Simsbury fell to 4-7.

Fradette had a night as he went 2-of-4 from the dish, scooping up four of Bristol’s five RBI.

His offense was badly needed because Post 84 snuck a couple runs across in the first inning, nabbing a quick 2-0 push against pitching stud Roberto Cruz.

But Cruz was just about on the money the entire evening on Tuesday – one hitting Simsbury while striking out nine.

He allowed three walks and two earned runs but with the Bristol offense dropping in ten hits, it was only a matter of time before Post 2 snared the lead for good.

Cruz is now a sterling 4-0 on the campaign.

Adam Caron heated up from the plate as he collected three hits while scoring a run.

Jaydon Churchill (2-of-3, run, RBI) made it on base a few times, getting plunked by the ball over one of his at-bats, while the grouping of Tyler Martin, Dylan Woodsome (stolen base) and Matt Beaucar all tallied hits for the winners.

Chris Osuch and Woodsome also generated walks to complete a busy night at the plate.

Simsbury’s Evan Odegard (3.2 IP, seven hits, 5 ER), who helped defeat Bristol the previous week, was tagged for the loss.

Nolan Conderino generated the only hit for Post 84 who simply did not have any answer for the crafty Cruz.

But a couple passed balls, a wild pitch, and a few walks helped the home team hang around early.

However, once Bristol’s offense heated up, Simsbury fell behind midgame and never caught up.

Trailing by two through two completed frames, Post 2 scooped up three runs in the top of the third tilt before Post 84 answered with one in the bottom of the inning to make it a 3-3 game.

But the Caron/Fradette duo sprang to life at the dish as Bristol scored two runs in the fourth and added one additional tally in the fifth to snare a three-run edge (6-3) as the home team simply couldn’t figure out Cruz on the hill.

Cruz threw 92 total pitches over the winning effort while Elliott Norris played well in the field, leading the team with four assists.

West Hartford has yet to draw a loss in 2022

Bristol gets it chance to be the first program to hang a loss on Zone 1 leader West Hartford (12-0) later this week as the teams battle for the third time on Thursday.

Game time is 5:30 p.m. from Conard High School in West Hartford.

The last time the teams played, Post 2 dropped a tough 9-6 decision back on June 28 from the same venue.

But Bristol scored six runs in the sixth to make a real game out of it, proving it can hang with the zone leader.

Matt Beaucar is a candidate to start that game on the mound against West Hartford.

Post 96 is 2-0 versus the squad from Bristol this season but the locals have two chances to tie the season series.

Bristol Senior American Legion Baseball – Zone 1 Game

BRISTOL 6, SIMSBURY 3

from Memorial Field, Simsbury

Bristol (6-4 Zone 1)               003 210 0 – 6 10 0

Simsbury (4-7)                       201 000 0 – 3 1 0

WP – Roberto Cruz (Bristol); LP – Evan Odegard (Simsbury)

Bristol Batting 

2B – None

3B – None

HR – Ryan Fradette (2)

Simsbury Batting 

2B – None

3B – None 

HR – None

LOB – Bristol 5; Simsbury 2  

Records: Bristol 6-5 overall (6-4 Zone 1); Simsbury 4-7