The Gilbert boys baseball team took a major step toward qualifying for the upcoming state tournament by defeating second-place Thomaston 6-5 Tuesday, May 22, in Thomaston. The win improved the Jackets’ record to 7-11, with just two games remaining. They need to win just one to qualify for postseason play.
Chad DeSanti pitched five solid innings for the Jackets before turning the ball over to Jorge Pimentel in the sixth inning with a 4-2 lead. Pimentel gave up a run in the sixth and then found more trouble in the seventh.
The Jackets had rallied for two more runs in the top of the inning to extend their lead to 6-3, but Thomaston dug in and score two more themselves to get to within one run, 6-5.
Then, with the bases loaded and just one out, head coach Pat Cook turned to Zac Tuozzo to try and snuff out the rally, and the sophomore did just that.
Tuozzo got the first hitter to strike out swinging and then caught the next batter looking for a called third strike and the ball game was over.
Geoff Hall led the offense with a single, a double and two RBIs, while Nate LaPointe and Zairis Fernandez each chipped in with a pair of singles and an RBI for the Jackets.
Lady Jackets Split
Double Header
The Gilbert girls softball team, in a day/night double header, lost to Lewis Mills 1-0 in the afternoon game but came back to defeat Litchfield in the night game 2-1 on Tuesday.
Senior Becky LaChance was outstanding in both games on the mound for Gilbert. LaChance gave up just two hits in each game and got great support defensively by the Jacket defense.
Nikki Hoxie was outstanding on defense in both games for the Jackets on a day when good pitching was dominant.
In the second game, LaChance also picked up a couple of hits to help her own cause while Jen Bordonaro added an RBI single.
With the split, the Jackets now stand at 11-7 in the Berkshire League with two games remaining.
Nonnewaug Defeats
Gilbert 3-2
The Nonnewaug girls tennis team won both doubles matches to secure Tuesday’s win over the Lady Jackets.
The Jackets’ Sarah Crossman and Irene Yukash both won their respective singles matches but came up empty in the doubles competition.
Gilbert Defeats
Northwestern and Shepaug
The Gilbert golf team came in with a total of 168 as they defeated Northwestern (170) and Shepaug (189) Tuesday, May 22, at the Norfolk Country Club.
Just last week the Highanders came to Greenwoods Country Club in Winsted and handled the slumping Jackets on their home course. This week the Jackets returned the favor.
Adam Vaccari returned to form for the Jackets and his one-over-par round of 36 was good enough for medallist honors. Jim Bunel followed up with a solid round of 40, while teammates Chris Smith and Dan Hicks came in with rounds of 42 and 50, respectively.
Vinny Gangi led the Highlanders with a round of 39, followed by Nick Bardino with 41, Mike Kelly with 44 and Isaiah Baril-Dore and Adam Devins, both with 46.
With the victory, the Jackets improved to 9-6 in the Berkshire League, while the Highlanders dropped to 10-5.
Jackets Defeat
Nonnewaug and Litchfield
The Gilbert golf team came in with a team total of 158 to break the 14-year-old school record by a stroke as they swept by Nonnewaug and Litchfield Monday, May 21, at Greenwoods Country Club.
Juniors Adam Vaccari and Jim Bunel shared medallist honors as they posted one-over-par rounds of 36. Seniors Dan Hicks (42) and Chris Smith (44) rounded out the scoring for the Jackets to establish the new mark.
With the victory, Gilbert improved to 7-5 in the Berkshire League and 14-6 overall.
Kane Captures
Pole Vault
Junior Courtney Kane captured the girls pole-vaulting competition Saturday, May 19, at the Berkshire League Championships, held at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village.
This is the second consecutive championship for Kane, who last year went on to win the Class S State Championship.
