Branford Legion Finishes 2013 Season in American Legion World Series

The Branford Legion team may have dropped its two games at the American Legion World Series, but Post 83's season leaves a lot to be proud of, including a 26-1 regular-season record and a great run through the state and regional tournaments.

Here are recaps of Branford's games in Shelby, North Carolina, courtesy of Kevin Force.

Aug. 16: Wilmington 5, Branford 0

Joe O'Donnell turned in an impressive performance, leading Wilmington, N.C., to a 5-0 victory over Branford, Conn. behind a three-hit shutout in first-round play at the American Legion World Series on Friday.

O'Donnell was precise, collecting 16 ground ball outs in 9 innings of work.  He walked one and struck out four. Offensively, both Chance Shepard and Collin Thacker drove in two runs. Shepard was 3-for-3 on the day.

Greg Zullo recorded two of Branford's three hits.

Wilmington (35-2) advances to the championship bracket, where it will meet Gonzales, La., in the final game of the day.  Branford (32-3) will meet Petaluma, Calif. at approximately 1 p.m.

Aug. 17: California 6, Branford 3

California pitcher Brandon Hegerla spread out seven hits and walked none over 8 innings, and Nos. 5-7 hitters Weston Bryan, Blake Patrick and Ryan Walsh collected 2 RBIs apiece, to help lead Petaluma, Calif., to a 6-3 loser-out victory over Branford, Conn., Saturday afternoon at the American Legion Baseball World Series.

Bryan highlighted a 3-run bottom of the first inning with a 2-run single, and Patrick added a sacrifice fly, to give Petaluma a lead it never gave up. 
Connecticut scratched a single run across the plate in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to get within one, 4-3, but Walsh smashed a 2-out, 2-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game at its final margin. He finished 2-for-2 with 2 walks.

California (33-14) advances to play the loser of Saturday evening’s Minnesota-New Jersey game Sunday at 1 p.m. Branford, Conn., finished its season with a 35-4 record. In two appearances at the ALWS in four years, it has failed to win a game.

Only 2 of the runs that Hagerla gave up were earned as the California defense committed 4 errors and allowed Connecticut to get within 1 run. But the defense played well enough as Hagerla struck out just 3. Jimmy Flatt pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save without recording a strikeout.

Kyle Hart and Tyler Forgione each went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored to pace Connecticut on offense. Starter John Amendola lasted five innings, allowing 9 hits, 2 walks and 5 earned runs. Michael Schettino pitched 3 hitless innings in relief.

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