By Michael Letendre
MERIDEN – Just about a month ago, Bristol Senior American Legion pitcher/outfielder Dylan Woodsome banged up his troublesome shoulder in Post 2’s 11-7 triumph on the road in Simsbury.
But he eventually got back to the dugout, somehow popped his shoulder back in and a couple games later, Woodsome was back at it again and in the starting lineup.
He hurt his shoulder years ago in a Bristol Eastern/Bristol Central JV boys basketball game and even after his shoulder was ‘fixed’ and he was cleared to resume play again, it was still trouble.
But he’s the definition of a gamer and a little sore shoulder couldn’t slow down the likable ‘Woody’ in the least.
Just this past Sunday, Woodsome had a banner day against Meriden – helping Bristol to a 10-7 victory in extra innings.
After throwing thirty pitches of scoreless ball, he then zipped out the game-winning hit in the ninth – eventually propelling Post 2 to the three-run victory.
“He’ll do whatever you ask of him,” said Bristol coach Jerry LaPenta of Woodsome. “It was just awesome.”
He can start a game on the hill in a pinch, isn’t a bad right fielder, and can get you a hit or two every once in a grand while.
‘I know’
In the second game of the Bristol/Meriden doubleheader, Bristol’s Michael Roalf took over in centerfield for Ryan Fradette while Woodsome was playing in right.
And in Post 45’s first at-bat of the seventh inning, the ball was hit in Woodsome’s direction.
Roalf, attempting to help out his teammate, started to yell ‘back, back, back, back, back…’.
Woodsome screamed back ‘I know’ as he made the catch.
And those two weren’t exactly trying to recreate the epic Han Solo/Princess Leia moment from the movie The Empire Strikes Back either.
There was some great banter back and forth between the duo for the rest of the inning as Bristol closed out the game – winning 7-2 – to sweep the day over Meriden.
That exchange had the Bristol fans chuckling as it was a classic moment over a long season.
Woodsome is a model player, a very good teammate, and does a little of everything for the American Legion baseball program over his final season of play.
When the postseason arrives for Post 2 this weekend, Woodsome is going to bring a little veteran presence and experience which should help Bristol win at least a couple of games.
