By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – When the Northeast and Bristol American Legion baseball teams attempted to square off on June 12 from Muzzy Field in a Zone 3 tilt, Mother Nature had a say in the game.

After nearly an hour of play, the rain came crashing down at 6:43 p.m. – causing a delay that soon forced a postponement.

That contest saw Northeast ramp up a 7-0 edge through three completed frames with the continuation taking place on Sunday afternoon after Post 2 had picked off Zone 3 leading Ellington by a 3-1 final in the previous game.

Or would the contest against Northeast be postponed once again due to spotty downpours in Bristol?

So, the unofficial doubleheader commenced with Northeast ahead by seven runs off 10 hits – looking to add a few more runs to the board in the top of the fourth frame.

Now, how did the game get to 7-0 in the first place?

Here’s a quick summary:

June 12 Rewind

Northeast scored three times in both the first and second innings while adding another run in the third to tally that 7-0 edge through three frames.

Jared Wilhelm and Ryan Giluly were a combined 5-of-6 from the plate that evening with an RBI and five runs scored while Mason Wilson was 2-of-2 with a double and two RBI.

On the hill, Mason allowed just two hits, punched out three and did not allow a walk through three completed innings as the visitors were in charge.

The game continues nearly two weeks later…sort of

The contest was recommenced at 3:23 p.m. on Sunday with Bristol in the field to start the top of the fourth inning as Isaac Roberge retook the mound for Bristol.

And Northeast picked up where it left off as an RBI single by Andrew McGann scored Ben Belair as the squad led 8-0 with Bristol coming up to bat in the bottom of the fourth.

McGann took over on the mound for Wilson, promptly walking Bristol’s Jed Sutula to start a Bristol rally.

Ryan Maglio spun out an infield hit to shortstop to put two on as, unbelievably, the rain came back!

And when Jayden Churchill walked, the bases were juiced with the dangerous Cole Caccamo at the dish.

Caccamo grounded out to first but scored Sutula from third as the deficit was chopped to 8-1.

Soon after, the umpires called the game due to rain and – once again – Northeast had to return to Muzzy Field another day to finish the contest for yet a third time.

Weather baffles the Bristol coach

Bristol coach Jerry LaPenta has led both the Bristol American senior and junior programs over several summers, dealing with all kinds of weather phenomenon.

The suspension of the Northeast game was the third contest that has been suspended this season because of rain.

And it’s not even July yet.

In fact, postponements foiled two games twice this week alone.

The Torrington game on Monday, stuck at 3-1 in the fourth inning, was rained out in the fourth and the Northeast contest from Sunday have both been postponed over a six-day period.

Has LaPenta ever seen this kind of bizarre weather, leading to multiple stoppages and postponements?

“No,” said LaPenta bluntly. “No and this week coming up, it could be worse.”

With games almost every day over the final week of June, and rain prevalent in the forecast, something might have to give schedule wise.

Post 2 originally had a couple games set up at the 2023 Stars and Stripes Tournament on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9.

Perhaps those contests might have to go by the wayside to get in one or two suspended Zone 3 contests.

“We were supposed to play [on] Patriot Weekend in Danbury,” said LaPenta. “We may have to back those [out] to play our regular zone games because if this week gets washed out, there’s a lot of games backed up.”

Post 2 was scheduled to take on Danbury on July 8 and then the following day, it was a date against Ridgefield.

Both games were to commence from Danbury High school.

Now, those showdowns are in jeopardy depending on the weather.

A possible continuation against Northeast could take place on July 14 when Bristol travels to Tolland for a Zone 3 encounter.

That date might turn into a doubleheader of sorts.

Stay tuned to TBE for the latest information and results for both the Bristol American Legion 17 and 19U baseball programs.

Bristol American Legion Baseball – Zone 3 Showdown

NORTHEAST 8, BRISTOL 1 – stopped in the bottom of the fourth inning

from Muzzy Field, Bristol

Northeast (6-3) 331 1 – 8 11 0

Bristol (4-3-3) 000 1 – 1 3 2 

Northeast Batting

2B – Ryan Giluly, Mason Wilson

3B – Jared Wilhelm

HR – None

Bristol Batting

2B – None

3B – None

HR – None

Records: Does it matter at this point?!?