Cheshire Jumps Out Early in Rout of Hamden

rode a big eight-run first inning to an 18-9 victory over Monday in a Southern Connecticut Conference baseball game at Cheshire High.

The Rams received run production up and down their lineup as eight players drove in runs. Cheshire got things started with Max Slade's leadoff single and back-to-back, run-scoring triples from Matt Jefferis (three hits) and Dom Serverino (two RBI).

The hit parade continued with Connor David, Jordan Kubilus, Ryan Rougeot (four hits), Tyler Robertson (two hits, three RBI) and Slade each knocking in runs as the order batted around. After 13 hitters and Severino drove in his second run off the inning with a sacrifice fly, Cheshire held a commanding lead.

"It's nice to get that early lead," Cheshire coach Bill Mrowka said. "It's funny, the last time we played them here last year, we did the same thing to them early and they were sort of punch drunk, so to speak. But it's good to get a nice early jump, hit the ball well, have a warm day and see what our bats can do. We got production from everybody. We got everybody in the game, which was good."

Hamden starter Mike Franco lasted 1 2/3 innings, allowing 12 runs on 13 hits, as Cheshire added four more in the second.

Cheshire's 7-8-9 hitters, Rougeot, Robertson and shortstop Greg Leonetti had 10 of the team's 21 hits with Leonetti 4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. 

"I was really pleased with how we kept it up and scored a couple of runs (in later innings)," Mrowka said. "I think we had one or two innings we didn't score but we got runs in just about every inning. I was very proud of that."

"There's not one easy out in their entire lineup," Hamden coach Mike DeAngelo said. "They have a very sound team. One through nine, their order is very good."

Cheshire starter Ryan Fowler was effective in the first two innings, allowing one hit while striking out three, but lost his control in the third, in which Hamden scored four runs after he loaded the bases on three consecutive walks.

Hamden's Brandon Dadio hit a two-run double, C.J. Carignan a run-scoring single and Tanner Given's drove in a run on a fielder's choice. 

"If I could take a positive out of it today, it was our bats did something today," DeAngelo said. "It wasn't like we laid down. But we had trouble in the field, catching fly balls, making matters worse. Cheshire hits the ball hard, but even when it was at us, we compounded it. But, I was pleased that we at least came back to put some runs on the board."

Cheshire's pitching wasn't quite as good as its hitting, but good enough on a day when the offense was in charge.

"He's been a little erratic," Mrowka said of Fowler. "He's trying to overthrow it. He's almost like throwing it twice instead of relaxed and staying within himself. He's a big, strong kid. He's pitched for me for four years. He'll be there. It will come together."

Matt Croteau, Kubilus, Collin Murphy and the closer Severino each worked an inning for the Rams.

Croteau gave up two unearned runs following a Leonetti error on a two-run home run by Hamden's Jordan Teague in the fourth, and Murphy allowed three runs in the sixth in his first varsity appearance.

Hamden runs in the sixth came from Teague (two hits, three RBI) on a run-scoring single, P.J. Scott's RBI double and Jake Lotto's sacrifice fly.

"It was good for (Murphy) to get in there and kind of just get a feel for it," Mrowka said. "Get the hitters out and be ready to go next time."

Cheshire added three runs in the third and three in the fifth, including two on pinch-hitter Jordan Klanica's base hit.

The Rams (2-1) next play at Wednesday. Hamden (0-3) plays Career Magnet Wednesday at home.