CIAC SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD

CLASS LL

SOUTHINGTON VS STAPLES

VITALS

When: Saturday, noon

Where: Palmer Field, Middletown

Seeds/Records: No. 5 Staples (24-3) vs. No. 3 Southington (21-3)

Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, tickets can be bought online in advance

ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (subscription required)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES

Staples: 5th appearance, 2-2 overall. 2017 def. Amity; 2015 lost Amity; 2001 def. Enfield; 1979 lost Windsor.

Southington: 13th appearance, 3-9 overall. 2014 lost Amity; 2013 lost Amity; 2011 lost Newington; 1999 def. Rockville; 1997 lost Simsbury; 1994 def. West Haven; 1988 lost West Haven; 1987 lost Fitch; 1976 lost Shelton; 1961 def. Killingly; 1957 lost Farmington; 1955 lost Woodrow Wilson

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Both teams can put up runs in bunches. Staples run-ruled seven teams this season while Southington had eight games end via run-rule…The teams can both also pitch and play defense as well as any teams in the state. Staples had four shutouts and five more games where it allowed just one run. Southington posted five shutouts and allowed one run six times…Southington has a strong mix of seniors and juniors. Senior shortstop Jacob Romano and second baseman Bryce Worth are strong up the middle. In the semis, the team started an all-junior outfield of Jack Meade, Andrew Paradis and William Carr…Staples has a talented defensive outfield comprised of all juniors, too in Zach Zobel, Adam Petro and James D’Amico. The Wreckers’ infield is all seniors with Drew Rogers, Harry Azadian, Andrew Moy and Chris Veneruso.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Southington has won three of its four state tournament games via walk-off hits and won its quarterfinal game 3-2 over Ludlowe. The Southington Senior American Legion team won the 2018 championship with a walk-off hit, as well…This season, Southington beat Greenwich out of the FCIAC 12-2 while Staples defeated Hall from the CCC 15-1…Staples is playing in the LL championship game for the third time in five years… Staples P/C Chad Knight was named the state Gatorade Player of the Year.

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WATERFORD vs. BERLIN

VITALS

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Palmer Field, Middletown

Seeds/Records: No. 15 Waterford (19-9) vs. No. 1 Berlin (22-2)

Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, tickets can be bought online in advance

ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (subscription required)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES

Berlin: 14th appearance, 6-7 overall. 2009 lost Branford; 2005 def. Wethersfield; 2000 lost Rockville; 1999 def. Seymour; 1997 lost East Catholic; 1995 def. East Catholic; 1991 lost New London; 1990 def. New London; 1989 def. Stamford Catholic; 1987 lost New London; 1984 lost Plainville; 1958 def. Guilford; 1955 lost Terryville

Waterford: 17th appearance, 10-6 overall. 2017 def. Lewis Mills; 2013 lost New Canaan; 2010 lost Montville; 2007 lost Seymour; 2005 def. Sheehan; 2002 def. Stratford; 2000 def. Norwich Tech; 1998 def. Montville; 1988 def. Plainville; 1982 lost Stamford Catholic; 1981 def. Bristol Eastern; 1979 def. Newtown; 1976 def. Ansonia; 1975 lost Torrington; 1968 def. Morgan; 1960 lost Stonington

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

At one point this season, Berlin won 14-straight games while Waterford lost five of its last seven regular-season games before getting hot and reaching ECC title game…Waterford has arrived a season earlier than planned with a roster full of juniors including P/SS Jared Burrows, IF Ryan Bakken, C Ben Jerome and Ryan O’Connell…Berlin has multiple players who played on the football team which reached the Class M final and basketball team which won the conference regular season title including Gianni Fanelli, Holden Murphy, Ryan Hyde, Paul D’Amore and Giancarlo Tufano.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Berlin coach Leo Veleas will be coaching his 11th state baseball final in 33 years as head coach. Looking for his fifth title… Berlin beat two SWC and two SCC teams to reach the final. Waterford beat teams from the SWC, SCC and two CCC opponents…Berlin has nine seniors on the roster.

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ST. JOSEPH VS WOLCOTT

VITALS

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Palmer Field, Middletown

Seeds/Records: No. 11 St. Joseph (18-8) vs. No. 1 Wolcott (25-2)

Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, tickets can be bought online in advance

ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (subscription required)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES

Wolcott: 3rd appearance, 1-1 overall. 2018 lost Seymour, 2016 def. Northwestern.

St. Joseph: 6th appearance, 4-1 overall. 2013 def. Northwestern; 1985 def. New London; 1980 def. New London; 1977 lost Derby; 1976 def. Cromwell

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Classic public vs private school game. St. Joe’s is the lone private school left in any class. Private schools have won state titles the previous six seasons…St. Joe’s offense is one of the best in the state with Atlanta Braves 5th round pick Stephen Paolini along with Jimmy Evans and Charlie Pagliarini all among the best hitters in the state statistically…Wolcott has some of the best bats around, too with Jack Drewry, Jeff Nicol and Trey Nastri among the big sticks for the Eagles…Wolcott’s pitching has been on point with seven shutouts this season…St. Joe’s has out-scored opponents 55-1 so far in the state tournament.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Wolcott gives the NVL a state finalist for the fourth year in-a-row…St. Joe gives the FCIAC a state finalist for the 5th-straight year…St. Joe lost in the semifinals the previous two seasons…The teams had one common opponent this season, St. Paul. Wolcott split the two matchups with St. Paul while St. Joe beat the Falcons on the final day of the regular season.

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SHEPAUG VS COVENTRY

VITALS

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Palmer Field, Middletown

Seeds/Records: No. 4 Shepaug (20-4) vs. No. 2 Coventry (24-2)

Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, tickets can be bought online in advance

ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (subscription required)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES

Coventry: 5th appearance, 1-3 overall. 2018 lost Notre Dame-Fairfield; 1984 def. Somers; 1963 lost Old Saybrook; 1962 lost Avon

Shepaug: 10th appearance, 5-4 overall. 1999 def. Cromwell; 1996 lost Derby; 1995 def. Lyman Memorial; 1988 lost Portland; 1987 def. Ansonia; 1983 def. Somers; 1980 lost Canton; 1978 lost Griswold; 1973 def. Northwestern

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

We get public school vs public school in Class S. The last public school to win Class S was Portland in 2014…Coventry closed the regular season with 14-straight wins…Shepaug won five regular-season games by shutout and continued with dominant pitching and defense in the state tournament, out-scoring opponents 25-2 thus far. Coventry put up seven shutouts in the regular season and one more in the state tournament…Shepaug has a potent, senior-laden with bats like P/OF Chancellor Dutcher C Ethan Hibbard and 1B Joe Brunelli all capable of doing damage…Coventry may get to use ace Matt Cook in this one and if so, look out because he has been dominant on the mound this season. Coventry’s lineup features talented bats such as Jordan Jeroszko and John Boutin.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Coventry lost in the championship game a season ago to Notre Dame-Fairfield…Shepaug and Coventry met the last two seasons in the Class S tournament with Coventry beating Shepaug in the semifinals last year and Shepaug defeating Coventry in the second round in 2017.

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