Bristol Knights in the home stretch… playoffs starting in August

With 2 weeks left in the regular season, we are starting to put things together to make a nice run and try to win another league championship. We have continued to pitch very well, been getting more clutch hits, continues to play good defense, and beaten some good teams lately. Chris McGrath and Matt Niedzwiecki have been fantastic down the stretch pitching as some of our other guys haven’t been available as much lately (for good reasons). The mid-season pickup of lefty Nick DiTaranto has and will continue helping us big time fill up innings and challange apposing lefties. We’ve also tried a couple other guys off the mound recently who’ve thrown well too (Lentini & Ross). If you are a pitcher coming down the home stretch, be ready to contribute… especially this week with 4 games.

Our hitting has been great at times, and not very clutch at others. We need to find a way to consistently put the ball in play to challenge other teams to make the plays, and score at least 4-5 every game, rather than 10 one day and 1 or 2 the next. Earl, Barrett, Brian, Eddie, Brett, Scott, Lentini, Marco, Scanlon, Clout, Julio, Nunes, Blais, and others have showed some stretches of hitting and carrying us… but we need to challenge with every at bat, especially with the quality caliber of teams we are playing to end the season. We also know that a few of our guys that haven’t broken out yet this year are primed in the wings when they can be there soon (Rex, Kilker, Sam). Barrett, Scanlon, Eddie, Walter, Brett, Valente, and others have looked fantastic on defense in the infield… and our outfield is ridiculous with all the talent we have out there. We have all the tools to win another championship, we just need to be smart and do what we need to.

We are currently in second and in striking distance to the central division leader, Brickhouse Indians. Elmer’s and East Hartford are nipping at our heals too. The Eastern division is being led by the Glastonbury Pirates, and Moodus is in second.

We have only 6 games left… 2 against the Indians, 2 vs the Moodus Nationals, 1 vs Elmer’s, and 1 vs the East Hartford Angels. Reminder to our guys that you need to play in 8 games (or pitch 26 innings) to qualify for playoff eligibility.

Here is our remaining schedule, starting with our final Muzzy games of the year tomorrow (MON 7/20):
Muzzy Field Double Header: Monday 7/20 – 6pm and 8:15pm vs Indians and Nationals
THU 7/23 at Moodus Nationals, Nathan Hale-Ray H.S., Moodus
FRI 7/24 vs Indians @ Bristol Central H.S.
MON 7/27 at Elmer’s @ East Catholic H.S., East Hartford
WED 7/29 at Angels @ Martin Park, East Hartford

There are plenty of chances for everyone to contribute down the stretch, so please keep showing up and letting Scott and Brian know when you are available, and when you aren’t.

I’ve updated the Knights roster pages, the team schedule page, the league standings page (and soon the stats page will be). You can also always check out many of those things and more on the league site:www.CTLBaseball.com ( www.connecticuttwilightleague.com )

I’ve posted a ton of nice pictures and videos on our team instagram page, here: