Story about Twister awards

Story about Twister awards from Aug. 12:

In spite of a trying year on the field, several Torrington Twisters were recognized by their general manager and coaches for their performances on and off the field.

Torrington General Manager Kirk Fredriksson and the coaching staff voted on four awards, which are given out each year. The award winners are Robert Chimpky, Brian Baudinet, Corey Huffine, Andrew Triggs and Chase Austin. Huffine and Triggs shared the same award.

Chimpky was chosen for this year's Ryan Kearney Award, which is given to the most outstanding pitcher on the team. Kearney was a lights-out pitcher on the inaugural Twisters team in 1997. Kearney won the league's top pitcher award that season.

"(Chimpky) wasn't afraid to take the ball, no matter what the situation was," Fredriksson said.

Chimpky began the season as the team's set-up man, but quickly shifted into the closer's role after Steve Geltz was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Though he did not get many chances, Chimpky made the most of them, saving five games in five attempts. Chimpky went 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 16 appearances, according to the NECBL's Web site. In 17 1-3 innings, he gave up 11 runs (seven earned) on 20 hits, striking out 24, while walking four. Chimpky made the Southern Division All-Star team.

"A good guy," Fredriksson said. "What he lacks in stature he makes up for in determination."

Brian Baudinet, a Watertown resident, was chosen as the team's most valuable player, the honor for which is the David Benham Award, named after a star player on the 1997 team.

"The kid got better as the season went on," Fredriksson said.
Fredriksson said Baudinet was a fun player to have on the team and added that Baudinet's appearance on the all-star team should be credited to his hard work.Baudinet started every game (37) he played in, hitting .256 with a home run and 14 runs batted in. Though his hitting took a while to come around, Baudinet was a threat on defense, recording six outfield assists and keeping many runners from trying to advance on him as the season wore on.

"We hope to have him back next year," Fredriksson said.

Two players on the team were the recipient of the Jeff Hourigan Sportsmanship Award. Hourigan played in Torrington for three years, making the All-Star team in all three years. But Hourigan was just as valuable off the field, Fredriksson said. Hourigan won the league sportsmanship award in 2004.

"Jeff Hourigan's one of the most outstanding individuals to play for us," Fredriksson said. "Even if he wasn't that kind of player, you want him on your team, because of the way he treats people and the way he treats the team."

The winners are Corey Huffine and Andrew Triggs. Huffine continued to improve in the field at third base and at the plate.

"Corey came in here as a replacement (for another player)," Fredriksson said. "He worked hard every day. He played hard every day."

Fredriksson said Huffine was a great kid.

"He was a real pleasure to have on the team," Fredriksson said. "He's a coach's dream."

Another hard worker was Triggs. Pitching for the first time in two years because of Tommy John surgery, Triggs played hard and took the ball when asked, even if his numbers did not always back up his effort.

"He was one guy who showed up every day," Fredriksson said. "I hope we have him back next year. Just a great kid."

Both Huffine and Triggs got the award because of the sportsmanship, professionalism and attitude that they each exhibited.

Winning the team's batting award was Chase Austin. The award was named after Jimmy Deschaine, who set the league record for batting average in Torrington's first season, hitting .429 in 1997. Austin hit .313 this season with four homers and 22 runs batted in.

"Chase was probably our best hitter this year," Fredriksson said. "He hit for power at times when we needed it. He hit to all fields later in the year."

Torrington drops both games to Newport

The Torrington Twisters began Saturday with a chance to tie the Manchester Silkworms for the last playoff spot in the NECBL’s Southern Division.
Torrington ended the day with no chance of a tie after losing both games to second-place Newport Gulls. Early offense from Newport, and a lack of it from Torrington contributed to the losses. Manchester won its game Saturday, putting the Twisters 2 games behind the Silkworms for the final playoff spot. Torrington plays at Manchester tonight at 7.
Torrington struck out nine times in both games. Gulls pitchers Stephen Peterson (CG, 1 run, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk) and Geoff Brown (6 IP, 0 runs, 1 hit, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk) shut down Torrington’s bats. In the first game, Peterson (Marist) carried a perfect game into the fifth and a no hitter into the sixth, losing each on the first batter of the inning. In the nightcap, Brown (University of Washington) gave up a first inning single to Jimmy Rivas (New Haven), then retired 17 of the next 18 batters he faced (Brian Baudinet reached base on a passed ball after striking out).
The Twisters managed just seven base runners in the two seven-inning games. The 0-6 record against the Gulls is the first time in Torrington history that the team has gone winless against a divisional opponent.
Despite being down 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth of the opener, the Twisters appeared to have something going after Ricky Wilson (Chandler Gilbert) doubled and Josh Chasse (San Diego State) hit a broken bat single to center to put runners on first and third. On a 1-1 count to leadoff batter Corey Shimada (Utah), Chasse broke for second, but was thrown out trying to steal.
"We get a guy thrown out at second base running on his own," Torrington coach Gregg Hunt said. "It’s not good baseball at any level. We just got a double and a single out of (the eight and nine batters) and things aren’t looking good, but they’re getting better. We’re at the top of the order and we run into an out."
Shimada struck out looking for the second out. Joe De Pinto (USC) got the Twisters on the board with a double past left fielder Kyle Conley (Washington) to score Wilson. Peterson, however, escaped by getting Rivas to fly out to center to end the inning.
Falling behind early in the three losses the last two days has not helped the Twisters. The trend that started in the second game Friday continued Saturday. Newport got two runs in the first of the first game on a two-run error by right fielder Jaren Mathews (Rutgers). Mathews sprinted toward the right center field wall on a ball hit by Conley, but overran the ball. Mathews dropped the ball on a tough play, allowing both runs to score. In the third, the Gulls made it 3-0 on a run-scoring single by Alex Gregory (Radford). Taylor Meehan (Harvard) walked with one out, stole second, and advanced to third on a flyout to center by Mike Tamsin (Northeastern).
It was much of the same in the nightcap. Newport scored twice in the first on a run-scoring triple by Tamsin and a sacrifice fly from Conley. The Gulls tacked on three more in the second against starter Craig Schneider (Alderson-Broaddus). With one out, David Poutier (Pensacola Community College) reached on an infield single. Cody Grisham (University of Tennessee) was hit by a pitch. Poutier and Grisham executed a double steal as Torrington catcher Alejandro Crisostomo (St. Augustine College) could not get a grip on the ball. Leadoff batter Kyle Rhoad (Eastern Michigan) lofted a blooper into center field. The ball landed in front of Baudinet (UMass-Amherst) and Baudinet gunned the ball home to try to get Poutier. Crisotomo reached to catch the ball, but could not hold on as he tried to tag Poutier, making the score 3-0. A sacrifice fly from Tamsin and a run-scoring single by Gregory off of the glove of third baseman Corey Huffine (Post University) to make it 5-0. Brown took care of the rest for Newport.
Torrington plays at Pittsfield, Mass., at 1 p.m. Monday before returning home Tuesday for the first of back-to-back doubleheaders Tuesday and Wednesday.

Torrington splits with Danbury

In an evening that featured the good, the bad, the ugly and even the bizarre, the Torrington Twisters split a doubleheader with the Danbury Westerners Friday night at Fuessenich Park.
Joe De Pinto (USC) sent a jolt through the home fans in the 10th inning of Game 1, launching a solo homer into the river beyond the left field walls to win the game for Torrington 4-3. In Game 2, Danbury took advantage of seven walks, several bunts and a bizarre play in the third inning to win 5-1.
Torrington got a great pitching performance in the opener from Eric Jokisch (Northwestern), who gave a depleted bullpen relief by pitching nine solid innings. Jokisch was hurt by two costly errors, but still managed to keep the Twisters in it until the seventh, when his team tied the game.
Instead of being predictable and coming in with the heat on every first pitch, Jokisch mixed in offspeed, including a nasty changeup. Jokisch’s changeup had some sink to it, which allowed him to induce 12 ground ball outs, including five comebackers to himself.
"Not that many," Jokisch said when asked if he ever had that many balls hit back to him. "I didn’t think that was possible."
In the rare instances when Jokisch fell behind, he relied on his changeup to regain control of the situation. Twice during the game, defensive miscues cost Jokisch.
In the fifth inning with runners at second and third and two outs in the inning, shortstop Chase Austin (Elon) fielded a slowly hit groundball that was closer to third than short. Austin threw off balance to first and his throw was wide, allowing two runs to score instead of one. The play gave the Westerners a 2-1 lead. The throw may not have gotten away had first baseman Rick Wilson (Chandler Gilbert) come off of the bag to block it.
"We made a bad play in the field," Hunt said. "It almost cost us the game. It wasn’t a good decision by (third baseman Corey Huffine) not to field it. It was not a good decision to throw it (by Austin). It was not a good decision to not step off the bag (by Wilson)."
Danbury tallied another run in the next inning thanks to an error that began the rally. On a little roller in front of the plate by Kevin Jackson (Maine), catcher Alejandro Crisostomo (St. Augustine College) threw too high to first, allowing Jackson to reach base. Jackson moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Paul Battigliero’s (Monmouth) double to make it 3-1.
Torrington rallied to tie the game in the seventh. De Pinto singled to left. Corey Shimada (Utah) walked on four pitches, bringing an end to starter Dennis Accomando’s (UConn) day after a good performance. Austin atoned for his earlier error by laying down a bunt single to load the bases.
After leaving the bases loaded in the sixth, the Twisters finally came through in a big spot. Jimmy Rivas (New Haven), after spoiling two 0-2 pitches with foul balls, looped a single to right to make it 3-2. After Jaren Mathews (Rutgers) struck out, Brian Baudinet (UMass-Amherst) hit a sacrifice fly to deep right to tie the game. Reliever Brian Craig (Dominican College) got Josh Chasse (San Diego State) to fly to center to end the inning. Torrington would leave a runner on in the eighth and would also leave the bases loaded again in the ninth.
After a groundout to begin the Twister half of the 10th, De Pinto got a first pitch he liked from reliever Ryan Hagan (Franklin Pierce) and deposited it into the river to win the game.
De Pinto had just missed a homer in the eighth when he flied to left.
The second game was not pleasant for Torrington. Danbury jumped on starter Danny Beck (USC) in the first. Shane Kingsley (Marist) walked to lead off and was followed by Michael Olt (UConn), who was hit by a pitch. A one-out single by Battigliero loaded the bases and Beck gave the Westerners their first run when he walked Kyle Mahoney (High Point) on four pitches.
After a sacrifice fly in the second made it 2-0, Danbury took advantage of a weird play to score two more runs. With runners on first (Melvin Castillo) and second (Mahoney), Jackson grounded softly toward third. Austin Christiansen made a low throw to first, which Chase Austin could not handle with a scoop. The ball rolled a short distance behind Austin, and Mahoney took advantage, scoring from second base. Jackson got into a rundown between first and second. The Twisters got Jackson in the rundown, but Castillo (Eastern Connecticut) was able to score from first. After advancing to third on the error, Castillo inched down the third base line, waiting for his chance. Castillo saw his chance and took off for the plate, beating an off balance throw from Austin to make it 4-0.
Torrington got another sacrifice fly from Baudinet in the bottom of the third to make it 4-1, but the Westerners added another run and Danbury starter Teddy Hurvul (UConn) shackled the Twisters for the rest of the game.
Next up for Torrington is a doubleheader beginning today at 5 p.m. against division rival Newport. Looking ahead, a major game at fourth-place Manchester (14-22) looms Sunday. The Silkworms lost 6-0 at Pittsfield Friday night.

Torringon gets second chance after delay, but loses to Holyoke

In a surreal game, the Torrington Twisters took advantage of a second chance after a 55-minute weather delay, only to watch their bullpen implode in a 10-4 loss to the Holyoke Blue Sox Wednesday night at Fuessenich Park.
Torrington entered the seventh inning trailing 3-0, but got Corey Huffine (Post University) on with a single and Jonathan Cluff (BYU)—pinch hitting for catcher Bryson Rahier (San Jose State)—worked the count to 2-0. The infield umpire saw lightning in the distance and the players were ordered off the field.
A Twister team that did not have much life in it before the delay seemed to be rejuvenated after it. Cluff worked a walk against reliever James White (UNC Greensboro). A Corey Shimada (Utah) single to center made it 3-1, and the throw from center hit the net behind home plate, allowing Cluff and Shimada to move up a base. A Joe De Pinto (USC) sacrifice fly made it 3-2 and designated hitter Jimmy Rivas (New Haven) tied the game on a groundout to first.
Just as quickly as Torrington drew even, the Holyoke blew the game open. After a groundout, reliever Miles Morton (Auburn) surrendered a single to Ken Gregory (St. Petersburg). Pinch runner Adam Dimino (Cortland State) stole second and third and pinch hitter Peter Fatse (UConn) walked. On the first pitch to Shevis Shima (Cal State Fullerton), the pitch went off the glove of new catcher Alejandro Crisostamo (St. Augustine College) for a passed ball to the back stop, allowing Dimino to score to give the Blue Sox a 4-3 lead. A triple by Shima made it 5-3, and Shima scored when James Wood (Trinity College) singled down the left field line to make it 6-3. Corey Jones (Cal State Fullerton) put a charge into a 2-0 pitch from Morton, slamming it off of the batting cage beyond the right field wall to make it 8-3.
The Twisters got one back in the eighth on a force out at second, but Holyoke answered with another two-run homer in the ninth from Fatse—again off of the batting cage in right field—to make it 10-4.
The Blue Sox took advantage of Torrington on the bases, stealing six (two each by Juan Perez, Shima and Dimino). Twister pitchers also issued 10 walks, seven by starter Andrew Triggs (USC), who lasted just two batters into the fourth.
Brian Baudinet (UMass-Amherst) continued his torrid hitting for Torrington with a 3-for-4 day. Shimada and Huffine added two hits of their own. The Twisters had two hits in both the second and third innings, but could not push a run across against Holyoke starter Michael Lachapelle (Pima Community College). Torrington also left two on in the eighth against reliever Brandon Aich (Kean University) as Crisostamo struck out and Shimada grounded out to third to end the inning.
Alex Valadja (James Madison) was unhittable in relief of Triggs. Valadja kept the Twisters in the game with four scoreless innings of relief as he struck out 11 of the 13 batters that he faced (one of the strikeouts was a passed ball that allowed a runner to reach first).
The loss dropped Torrington (11-20) a game behind Manchester (14-21), who was rained out Wednesday night. The Twisters host Southern Division rival Newport tonight at 7.
NOTES:
Torrington will honor the Waterbury Sandy Koufax League team at Saturday’s game against the Gulls. The Waterbury team won the state tournament and now has a chance to go to the World Series if it wins in the round-robin regional tournament. City native Cody Lemieux plays for the team.

Torrington ends losing streak

The slide is over.
The Torrington Twisters ended their five-game losing streak with a much-needed 10-6 win over the North Adams SteepleCats Tuesday night at sometimes rainy Fuessenich Park.
The Twisters got several contributions offensively, getting five players with at least two hits. Jaren Mathews (Rutgers) homered, doubled, singled and walked, reaching base four times. Jonathan Cluff (BYU) doubled, singled and walked twice, also reaching base four times. Brian Baudinet (UMass-Amherst) continued his hot hitting with two singles and three walks, reaching base in all five of his at-bats. Corey Huffine (Post University) had a two-run single and walked while Corey Shimada (Utah) singled twice and walked.
In the end, timely hitting, four errors and 12 walks led Torrington (11-19) to the win, only its second in the past 12 games. Clay Caulfield pitched five innings for the win, giving up four runs on five hits, striking out three while walking three.
Just like Monday night’s 9-7 loss to Newport, the Twisters got off to a quick start. Shimada walked to lead off the first. North Adams pitcher Nick Serino (UMass-Amherst) had Shimada picked off, but Shimada beat the throw to second and advanced to third after the throw hit him in the back. Shimada came around to score on a wild pitch.
Two walks to Jimmy Rivas (New Haven) and Chase Austin (Elon) brought Cluff to the plate. Cluff ripped a Serino offering to left and the ball stayed down on left fielder Brian Adams (Wright State), allowing Austin to score behind Rivas for a 3-0 lead.
Cue the SteepleCat rallies. North Adams scored a run in both the second and third innings to cut the Torrington lead to 3-2. For a team that blew a 7-0 lead Monday night, that could not have felt good. Unlike Monday night, the Twisters responded.
An Austin sacrifice fly in the third made it 4-2. The SteepleCats came all the way back in the fifth against Caulfield (College of Charleston). T.J. Greig (Malloy College) walked with one out. Back-to-back singles brought Greig around to score to make it 4-3. A sacrifice fly by Greg Van Horn (Brookdale Community College) tied the game at 4.
Once again, the Twisters responded. Cluff led off with a walk and Baudinet singled. After a Ricky Wilson (Chandler Gilbert) sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Huffine brought both in with a hump-back single to right to make it 6-4. A perfectly-executed double steal made it 7-4 in the sixth. With Mathews on third, Cluff broke for second base. Mathews broke for home and was safe, while Cluff made it to third on a throwing error.
As if trying to write another Torrington nightmare, North Adams cut the lead to 7-6 in the seventh on a two-run homer to left by Van Horn. One swing of the bat from Mathews in the seventh was the Twister response. Mathews got a 1-0 offering he liked and deposited it over the right field wall for an 8-6 advantage.
Josh Zeid (Tulane) and defensive substitution Bryson Rahier (San Jose State) made sure there would not be a response from the SteepleCats in the eighth. Zeid struck out two and Rahier threw out the only baserunner Zeid allowed trying to steal second. Robert Chimpky (Utah) allowed a double, but struck out the side to end the game. The games against divisional foes continues Thursday after Torrington hosts Holyoke tonight.
A Manchester loss Tuesday night put the Twisters back within a half game of the final playoff spot in the Southern Division. Torrington plays at the Silkworms on Sunday.
NOTES: Tonight is Sibling Night at Fuessenich Park as the Twisters take on the Holyoke Blue Sox. Anyone who brings a sibling with them can get their sibling in for free. Torrington Chairman/Co-Owner Robin Wadsworth’s sister Karen Wadsworth Rella owns Holyoke, while her brother Barry is the team’s general manager.

Torrington loses to Pittsfield

Pitching and a lack of timely hits continued to haunt the Torrington Twisters Friday night as they lost 8-2 to the Pittsfield Dukes at Fuessenich Park.
Pittsfield (13-11) got four runs in the first inning off of USC's Andrew Triggs (6 IP, 10 hits, 6 runs, 5 earned runs, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts) and did not look back behind the strong pitching of Kyle Vazquez (Franklin Pierce). Vazquez went seven innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on eight hits, striking out five while walking one.
The Twisters had their chances to get back into the game, but could not put runs across. Torrington left 11 runners on base, including three innings where they left two runners on base, including big chances in the seventh and eighth..
In the seventh, second baseman Corey Shimada (Utah) served a double down the left field line with one out. Shortstop Joe De Pinto (USC) was hit by a pitch, setting up runners at first and second with one out. Vazquez got out of the jam, though he could have been in trouble thanks to his own defense. Chase Austin (Elon) grounded to Craig Hertler (San Jose State) at second base. Hertler, thinking there were two outs, threw to first, bypassing a chance at an inning-ending double play. Vazquez persevered, striking out first baseman Jaren Mathews (Rutgers) with runners on second and third to end the threat.
In the eighth, Torrington got another chance, this time against reliever Adam Knight (Georgia State). After back-to-back strikeouts by Josh Chasse (San Diego State) and Jonathan Cluff (BYU), Brian Baudinet wakled (UMass-Amherst) and Corey Huffine (Post University) singled to put runners on first and second with two outs. Knight wiggled his way out of the jam by striking out Alejandro Crisostomo (St. Augustine) looking. It was the third time in the inning that a Twister batter struck out looking.
With a limited pitching staff due to injuries, Torrington must score runs when the chances present themselves.
Twisters coach Gregg Hunt said the Twisters will look to add a couple arms to the staff before the rosters are frozen Tuesday. The rosters are frozen for the playoffs, meaning players can play after the deadline, but they will not be eligible for the postseason.
The Dukes struck first in the top of the opening inning on a run-scoring triple by Chris Edmondson (Le Moyne). Pittsfield scored its next three runs in the inning with two outs on a single by Matt Adams (Slippery Rock) and a two-run double by Kevin Clements (Manchester Community College).
Torrington got to within 4-1 on a bizarre play in the third. Mathews singled to right with Austin on first. Austin went to third, and the throw from Hertler was wild, going into the dugout, allowing Austin to score and Mathews to take third. Vazquez got out of the inning by getting Chasse to pop up to second on a 3-1 pitch.
The Dukes again added to their lead with two outs, this time in the fourth. With Hertler on first with two outs, Edmondson ripped a hit-and-run single to center. Chasse overran the ball, allowing Hertler to score to make it 5-1. A single by Jason Krizan (Dallas Baptiste) made it 6-1.
Chasse got one back in the sixth when he blasted a solo homer off of a light tower in left field to make it 6-2. After the Twisters could not take advantage of their opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings, the Dukes added two in the ninth off of reliever Craig Schneider (Alderson-Broaddus) on run-scoring singles by Jake Rosenbeck (Buffalo) and Hertler.
Pittsfield is a half game back of Southern Division-leading Newport (14-11), which lost 3-1 to Sanford Friday. Torrington hosts the Gulls tonight at 7. The Twisters trail Newport by 3.5 games.

Torrington loses slugfest to Sanford 17-16

The Torrington Twister offense finally broke out, but 16 runs on 21 hits were not enough as Torrington lost 17-16 to the Sanford Mainers Thursday night.
The Twisters nearly came back from a 17-10 deficit in the final three innings, but fell a run short after scoring 2 in the eighth and 4 in the ninth.
In a back and forth game, Torrington led 4-2 after 3 innings. Sanford scored 8 runs in the fourth to take a 10-4 lead. The Twisters responded with 6 of their own in the fifth to make it 10-10 after five. The Mainers scored five in the sixth to take a 15-10 lead. Two more runs in the seventh made it 17-10 Sanford.
In the eighth, Jaren Mathews (Rutgers) and Brian Baudinet (UMass-Amherst) had RBI doubles to make it 17-12. In the ninth, Joe De Pinto (Southern California) doubled to make it 17-13. A Chase Austin (Elon) single made it 17-14. After Ryan Cole (St. John's) was brought in to pitch for the Mainers, Josh Chasse (San Diego State) ripped a two-run double to make it 17-16. Chasse got to third on a wild pitch, but Cole struck out Baudinet to end the game.
De Pinto went 3-for-6 with a homer, double, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Austin went 2-for-5 with a homer, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Corey Shimada (Utah) went 3-for-6 with an RBI and 2 runs scored while Chasse went 3-for-6 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Baudinet went 4-for-6 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Jonathan Cluff (Brigham Young) was 2-for-5 with a double, RBI and 2 runs scored. Corey Huffine (Post University) went 2-for-5 with a double, 2 RBIs and a run scored.
In his first game with the Twisters, catcher Alejandro Crisostomo went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and 2 walks.
Will Greenberg (Maryland) had a big day for Sanford, going 2-for-5 with a grand slam, 5 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Corey Hunt (Virginia) and Branson Joseph (Canisius) each went 3-for-6. Hunt drove in 2 runs and scored twice while Joseph had a double, drove in one and scored 3 times. Steve Brooks (2-for-5, double, 2 runs scored), Michael Murray (2-for-4, RBI, 3 runs scored) and Matthew Nandin (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, run scored) all big days for the Mainers.

Torrington wins slugfest 17-11 over Dominican All-Stars

A big crowd at Fuessenich Park got its money’s worth Tuesday night as the Torrington Twisters and Dominican All-Stars combined for five home runs in a 17-11 Torrington victory.
"I’m happy with the way we swung the bats," Twisters coach Gregg Hunt said of the exhibition game. "Our swings looked better. We looked more comfortable tonight."
Chase Austin (Elon) was locked in, going 2-for-4 with a grand slam, two-run double, run-scoring walk and seven runs batted in. Josh Chasse (San Diego State) added a homer of his own while Joe De Pinto (Southern California) went 4-for-5 with three runs batted in. Rick Wilson (Chandler Gilbert) went 1-for-4 with a double, walk and three runs batted in as Torrington took advantage of 13 hits and 10 walks.
After striking out twice in his first three at bats, Dominican All-Star Julian Alvarez had a great day, smashing two homers and driving in three in the loss.
The Twisters got an early contribution from newcomer Robert Papenhause (Brown), but Papenhause was lifted for Corey Huffine (Post University). After the game, Papenhause had a cast on his wrist.
Kevin Mager (Maine) and Aaron Barrows (Eastern Kentucky) are no longer listed on Torrington's roster.

Manchester strands 13 Torrington runners in win over Twisters

Torrington left 13 runners on base in a 6-3 loss to Manchester Sunday night.
The Silkworms trailed 3-1 early, but rallied for 2 in the 4th to tie the game.
Manchester broke through in the eighth against reliever Alex Valadja (James Madison University). Sean O’Hara (Harvard) walked to lead off the inning. First baseman Jeff Cammans (Rhode Island) picked on Valadja’s first pitch and ripped it off of the top of the left field fence to put runners on second and third with none out. After Michael Gallic (Marist) was walked intentionally, Michael Bourdon (Fairfield) walked to give Manchester the lead at 4-3. On an 0-1 pitch to J.P. Polchinski (Army), Valadja hit him in the foot with a curveball. Hunt argued that Polchinski did not make an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch, but the protest was to no avail. The next batter, A.J. Rusbarsky (Seton Hall), lifted a fly ball to center field. Josh Chasse (San Diego State) threw home, but his throw was well up the third base line and Gallic scored. A good throw may have gotten Gallic at the plate. Instead, the score was 6-3.
Torrington put up a major threat against reliever J.J. Potrikus (SUNY-Cortland) in the eighth. After a Brian Baudinet (UMass-Amherst) single, Corey Huffine (Post University) grounded to first base and was thrown out 3-1. The Twisters argued that Potrikus’s foot was off the base, but the call was not changed. Corey Shimada (Utah) singled to center to put runners on first and second, but Joe De Pinto (Southern California) popped out to short. Austin was hit by a pitch to load the bases, bringing the go ahead run to the plate. Potrikus got Jaren Mathews (Rutgers) to pop to Bourdon to end the inning.
De Pinto went 2-for-5 for the Twisters. Torrington (7-8) also got hits from Shimada, Chasse, Baudinet and Chase Austin (Elon). Bourdon went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs for Manchester (7-9), which ended a five-game losing streak. The Silkworms also got 2 hits apiece from Matt Gross (Notre Dame) and Zach Hudson (Middle Tennessee State).

Torrington snaps losing streak

Joe De Pinto's two-out single to left scored Corey Shimada (Utah) with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as Torrington won 3-2 over North Shore Sunday night.
The win snaps a two-game Twister losing streak. Shimada got a great jump off of first after singling with two outs. Shimada stole second, setting up De Pinto's hit. De Pinto (University of Southern California) has reached base in his first two games as a Twister.
Andrew Triggs (USC) was strong on the mound, giving up a single hit in six scoreless innings. Triggs struck out five while walking just one. Aaron Barrows (Eastern Kentucky) had two hits for Torrington. The Twisters also got strong defense from left fielder Brian Baudinet (UMass-Amherst) and Corey Huffine (Post University).
Michael Provencher (Mesa State College) singled and tripled and scored both runs for the Navigators.

Post University player on Twisters roster

Corey Huffine, a junior infielder from Post University in Waterbury, is on the Twister roster, according to NECBL.com.
Huffine started all 50 games (including 2 postseason games) for the Eagles, hitting .333 and leading the team with 12 doubles. Huffine also led the team in total bases (80) and stole 12 of 13 bases.
Huffine is from Colorado Springs, Colo.