Terriers' Strong Pitching Performance Beats Rams, 3-1

The baseball team suffered two losses, but finished the week of games strong with a win over .

Conrad Defeats Rocky Hill 15-10

Terriers' starter Spencer Bunting would struggle against on April 16 and did not finish the third inning. However, Rocky Hill would be able to bounce back behind a strong hitting performance lead by freshman Shaun McKinnon to force extra innings. The Chieftains would prove to be too much, as the team would go onto win 15-10 in eight innings.

Spencer Bunting could not locate pitches and would be forced from the game after 2 2/3 innings, according to head coach George McKinnon in an email Sunday. Bunting surrendered seven runs with five being earned on 11 hits, he added.

Down by seven, Rocky Hill would rally to score four runs in the bottom of the third inning. The scoring surge was created by hits from Kyle Whalen, Chris Bouchard and McKinnon, coach McKinnon said.

The Terriers would add another run in the fifth and a two-run homer by Bunting would bring Rocky Hill within one.

Rocky Hill would eventually tie the game in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out double by McKinnon. However, Conard would score seven runs in the top of the eigth to put the game out of reach, according to George McKinnon. The Terriers would score only two runs in the bottom of the frame, he added.

Shaun McKinnon would have three hits and three RBIs on the afternoon. Brandon Grover had three hits while Whalen and Tom Seaver would have two for the Terriers, who finished the game with 13.

Senior Kyle Wolf pitched 4 1/3 innings of “solid relief” and gave up only one run, McKinnon said.

A moment of silence was held before the game for former .

“Tom McCabe was a great athletic director and friend who made rocky hill athletics a place to be proud of,” McKinnon said.

Rocky Hill Loses to E.O. Smith, 4-3

The Terriers have lost a lot of close games this early season and on Wednesday, it happened again as Rocky Hill was defeated by 4-3.

Rocky Hill was tied going into the bottom of the sixth inning, however Panthers were just too tough as they would score the go ahead run in that frame, McKinnon said.

There were eight hits by the Terriers with Grover, who also had two RBIs, and Bouchard, who was intentionally walked twice, having two apiece, McKinnon said.

Seaver, who pitched two innings while letting up one run on two hits, took the loss. He came in relief of Dan Madigan who went four innings allowing three runs (two earned) while scattering six hits and striking out two, McKinnon said.

“We have lost three games by one run and the fourh loss was in extra innings,” he said. “I am very proud how this team has been competing early on in the season.”  

Rocky Hill beat Rockville, 3-1

Sophomore Spencer Bunting would bounce back from a bad-pitching outing early in the week to throw a complete game six hitter Friday afternoon as the Terriers would defeat the Rams 3-1.

McKinnon said  Bunting, who had nine strikeouts, “pitched his best game of the year.” 

“Rocky Hill ended the week on a good note with solid pitching and some clutch hitting,” he said. “I hope this win acts as a spring board for future wins as this young team has played very well so far through seven games.”

Chris Bouchard hit a solo home run in the first inning. Jeff Osak would steal home after a throw down to second base on a first and third steal. Bobby Raus would pinch hit in the bottom of the sixth inning to drive in the final run for the Terriers, according to McKinnon.

The Terriers will play against Hartford Public at Rocky Hill High School Monday at 4 p.m. and is home again Wednesday against last year's conference champion at 3:45 p.m. Rocky Hill will end the week at on Friday at 3:45 p.m. 

“If we can get two wins this week and get to 5-5 at the half way point of the season I think we will be in good shape for a run at making the tournament and beyond,” McKinnon said. The Terriers are 3-4 on the season.