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Sports

EH Baseball Slides By N Branford in Extra Innings

The YellowJackets' first baseman Vinny Guglietti had a strong outing to lead the team over North Branford.

East Haven and North Branford played a gripping baseball game Saturday that went nine full innings until the YellowJackets emerged with an 8-7 victory.

The Thunderbirds battled back from a three-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings, then scored another run in the eighth to extend the game one more frame. But after East Haven scored another run in the ninth on a fielder's choice ground out, North Branford was out of gas. The lead-off batter reached base but was erased on a double play and the final batter struck out.

“They don’t quit. We’re lucky to get out of here with a win,” said YellowJackets coach Butch Johnson, whose team improved to 2-1 after a 14-6 win over Guilford and a 4-3 loss to West Haven.

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“I’m proud of my guys; they didn’t give up,” said T-Birds coach Billy Mitchell, as the team dropped to 1-1 after a season-opening 9-5 victory over Morgan.

YellowJackets relief pitcher Mike Anastasio closed the game out for the win. He started strong, recording four strike-outs in his first two innings, but gave up three runs in the bottom of the seventh that gave the T-Birds new life.

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“They were on everything he threw,” coach Johnson said. “We got to get him a little fine-tuned. He seemed to run out of gas for some reason.”

In the bottom of the eighth, down 7-6, the T-Birds loaded the bases with no one out but were only able to score one run. “It was our best chance but that’s the way it goes,” said coach Mitchell.

The T-Birds used three pitchers in the game with Taylor Gamache starting and going five innings before Kyle Johnson finished and took the loss.

East Haven first baseman Vinny Guglietti was the game’s top slugger, recording two doubles and a sacrifice fly to knock in two and score a run.

“He’s a great hitter, all-area last year, you’re almost disappointed when he doesn’t get a hit,” said coach Johnson.

Sage Leonard knocked in the first run in the seventh for the T-Birds, and starting pitcher Taylor Gamache poked a two-run single to tie the game.

The fans were treated to two more innings, before East Haven escaped with the victory.

Both teams play again Monday, with East Haven hosting Foran and North Branford traveling to Haddam-Killingworth.

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