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STAMFORD, Conn. Stamford's Senior American Legion baseball team got hot just as the summer heated up.
The 18-year-olds have won eight of their last 10 games heading into Saturday's double-elimination round against Branford. A lower-seeded team, Stamford has won two games in the state tournament with road victories over Enfield and RCP.
"We're hitting the ball, that's the biggest difference,'' manager Kevin Murray said. "We struggled with our bats all year. Getting runners across, moving runners over, that's the difference."
Stamford won six of its last eight games to finish the regular season 15-12. The hot streak extended into the state playoffs, as Stamford beat Enfield, 13-5, and RCP, 13-7. Whatever offensive shortcomings it experienced earlier have been solved.
"I had faith in our guys,'' Murray said. "We're like a sleeping giant. It's starting to awake now and terrorize some people. I think we had some players who were in college and didn't play a lot of baseball. They're trying to come back in the summer. It's like riding a bike after being off of it for a long time. At first, you're a little wobbly."
Brandon Docimo had five hits in Wednesday's win over RCP, leading Stamford's attack. R.J. Calo, Eric Joyner, Alex Rough and Steve Hagedus also had big games against RCP. Hagedus anchors the pitching staff, with Tom Fabricatore Danny White, Frank Spoto and Sam Kosterich also throwing effectively.
"We had a few question marks with our pitching,'' Murray said. "Some of them didn't throw an inning during the high school season. They're coming around."
Branford is the top-seeded team among the 16 teams left in the tournament. Stamford knocked off the No. 1 seed last year, and Murray said he wouldn't mind seeing history repeat itself. "Baseball is a game of inches,'' Murray said. "It's mostly mental, and we're playing with a lot of confidence right now. Once you play with confidence, it's tough to knock them off."
Saturday's game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Game time could be moved due to weather conditions. Scores and schedules are available on the Connecticut American Legion website.
Will you be taking pictures of the Stamford Senior American Legion team in the state tournament? Send them to us at trenner@mainstreetconnect.us
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