By Michael Letendre 

BRISTOL – Pitching and defense wins games.

And when the Bristol Senior American Legion baseball squad gives its pitching staff any kind of offensive contribution, the locals are tough to beat.

That’s what happened on Saturday against Northeast as Post 2 notched a 6-0 win in first round Pod C state tournament play on Saturday from Muzzy Field.

Bristol’s Matt Beaucar was absolutely sensational as he chucked a 100-pitch, two-hit gem which included nearly half-a-dozen strikeouts and did an impressive job wiggling out of any trouble he faced. 

“Matty pitched great,” said Bristol coach Jerry LaPenta. “I thought he got a little tired in the middle of the game around the fourth inning. But he pitched through it.” 

“He just pitched really well.”

Diego Mercado nabbed both hits for the visitors but other than that brief offense, Northeast didn’t compile much from the plate.

Bristol ended the suspense early as Post 2 notched three first inning runs.

Norris (two hits, two runs) singled on, Jayden Churchill, Adam Caron, Ryan Fradette, and Tyler Martin all drew base on balls, a fielder’s choice by Tyler Stickels and a huge base hit by Dylan Woodsome put the pressure on the Northeast off the bat – propelling the home team to a 3-0 edge through one. 

“The key was the first inning,” said LaPenta. “The kid [Northeast pitcher Matt Haggerty] kind of settled in after that first inning. We got to him early. Woodsome got a big hit there. To put up three runs was huge.” 

Haggerty drew the loss, allowing four earned runs overall, walking six, and fanning three.

And the Zone 3 challenger never recovered from that three run first.

In the top of the fourth, Northeast had its chance to make it a game but simply couldn’t generate that critical RBI tally.

A hit-by-pitch and two walks loaded the bases but Beaucar induced a groundout to short to snuff out the drive as Bristol’s 3-0 edge was holding.

And then in the fifth, the locals put the event away.

Norris etched up his second hit of the showdown and in the biggest surprise of the outing, he ended up stealing second base.

After another walk to Churchill, Bristol scored two more runs.

Caron bunted and Fradette dropped in a single as Post 2 went up 5-0 through five.

And then in the sixth, Martin walked, Chris Osuch singled, and Norris laid down a perfect bunt – plating one final run – as Post 2 squared up a 6-0 cushion.

“Ryan had a big hit there for two insurance runs and then we had the safety squeeze,” said LaPenta.  

In the top of the sixth, Northeast tried to rally again as clean-up hitter Mason Wilson snuck a ball by Elliot at shortstop – just escaping his grasp – while Mercado added his second hit to put two on with two gone.

But a fly out by Isaac Minaya ended the half-frame with Bristol keeping the visitors off the scoreboard.

“That was a pretty nasty hop,” said LaPenta of the play at shortstop. “But we made all the plays defensively.”

Staying in until the end, Beaucar went 1-2-3 for the complete game shutout as Bristol survived and advanced in first round, Northern Division play with the 6-0 win over Northeast.

And then on Sunday, Pod C top-seed Waterford is on deck.

Waterford will have its hands full with Bristol ace Roberto Cruz (4-0) dealing from the mound. 

“I thought we just played a great game overall,” said LaPenta of the Northeast victory. “Now we’ll have Roberto go tomorrow.” 

Bristol Senior American Legion Baseball – State Tournament, Northern Division, Pod C Game

BRISTOL 6, NORTHEAST 0

from Muzzy Field, Bristol

Northeast (11-12) 000 000 0 – 0 2 1

Bristol (11-7)  300 021 x – 6 6 1 

WP – Matt Beaucar (Bristol), 3-4 overall; LP – Matt Haggerty(Northeast)

Northeast Batting 

2B – None

3B – None

HR – None

Bristol Batting 

2B – None

3B – None 

HR – None 

Records: Bristol 11-7 overall; Northeast 11-12