By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – Against a winless Simsbury American Legion program, the 19U squad from Bristol brought up a couple young arms in an attempt to gain a little experience.

And while Bristol suffered a tough 10-1 setback to Simsbury on Sunday afternoon, the duo of Caleb Molinsky and Gavin Colvin got a chance to throw in a 19U game.

Molinsky drew the loss though he showed some poise over his four innings, striking out four and allowing only six hits, while Colvin allowed four runs on five hits 

But Jose Feliciano kept the seventh and final inning – against regulars in the Simsbury batting order – scoreless.

All three of those pitchers could see starting and spot duty as the year roles along for Post 2.

“I brought Gavin up today to see what he could do,” said LaPenta of Colvin. “He was nervous, and Caleb was a little nervous. I could see it in his face in the first inning. Even though these guys played a little [high school] varsity, Caleb started three games for Bristol Eastern, when you’re here and now [you’re playing] against 19-year-old kids, it’s a little different.”

Molinsky was a part of the Bristol Eastern rotation in 2023, along with Declan Schenck, and those two chuckers should see more time on the hill as the summer month’s role along.

“I think Caleb is going to be okay for us,” said LaPenta. “I’m going to need him. I’m kind of short pitching this year for 19U.”

Wolcott players in the mix

The game against Simsbury was basically tryouts for a large grouping of Wolcott players – fresh off their tough 10-8 loss to Nonnewaug in the Class M title game – have brand new assignments.

Those new players to the Bristol program include Nick Sconziano (second base) along with Josh Dunne (left field) and Joe Dunne (catcher), getting their first innings in a Bristol American Legion uniform.

So, while new players have arrived, the chemistry is simply not going to be there – yet – for the outfit from Post 2

But the Dunne boys and Sconziano all gave glimpses of what they could add to the team as the season progresses for Bristol.

“We had three new kids today, trying to get that puzzle together,” said LaPenta of the players from Wolcott. 

Chase Belisle would have started at catcher today but had a later commitment to a team from the Tri-State Baseball League and was moved over to Designated Hitter instead.

And asking a 19-year-old to catch two games in two different leagues was something LaPenta was not going to force upon the young man.

Instead, LaPenta gave the start to Joe Dunne along with the other standouts from Wolcott around the horn.

“Today was kind of a tryout/game, trying to figure out how to work people in, what the deal is going to be,” said LaPenta. “It’s a long season over a short time. After three games, were 1-1 with a tie. I thought we played well in the first two games.”

“Today was just a stinker and you’re going to have that every once in a while.”

What towns represent the Bristol 19U program team this year?

As of Sunday, Post 2 consisted of players from Bristol Eastern, one from Bristol Central, Wolcott and even Farmington.

That’s as diverse a roster Bristol has ever put together in senior American Legion baseball.

There was going to be a smattering of Plainville players mixed in and one player could still be in the running before the final roster is turned in by LaPenta and his crew.