19U SENIOR LEGION

The West Haven Post 71 American Legion baseball team has opened the season in impressive fashion with eight wins in its first nine games. The Westies opened with eight straight wins, before falling at Hamden.

West Haven opened the season with an 8-5 road victory over New Haven. Anthony Constantinople went the distance on the mound, allowing seven hits and three earned runs, while striking out 12 and walking one.

Dan Izzo and Anthony Rubin led the offense with two hits and two runs batted in each, while Mike Madera scored twice.

Post 71 took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ray Gilbert singled and scored on Rubin’s double. The Westies increased the lead to 3-0 in the second when Jacob Fowler reached on a fielder’s choice, Madera reached on an error, and K.J. Harp walked to load the bases, before Izzo singled to score Fowler and Madera.

Leading 3-1, West Haven opened the game up with a pair of runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Rubin tripled to score Izzo, before scoring on a wild pitch. In the sixth, Harp singled to score Madera, before later scoring on a passed ball.

The Westies improved to 2-0 with a 16-5 victory over New Haven in the second game of the series in West Haven.

In a game stopped after five innings due to the mercy rule, Jack Hay pitched three innings for the win, allowing three earned runs on three hits, while walking four and striking out three. Evan Jones pitched the final two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out one.

Tyler Jones led the offense with two hits, three runs scored, and two runs batted in, while Izzo had two hits, scored three times, and drove in one run. Ray Gilbert also had two hits, scored twice, and drove in a run.

West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the first, before blowing the game open with 10 runs in the second. In the first, Rubin’s sacrifice fly scored Izzo, Gilbert scored, and Tyler Jones stole home for a 3-0 lead.

In the second, three New Haven errors led to a 7-1 lead, before a single by Fowler, a triple by Izzo, and a double by Tyler Jones produced three more runs.

Post 71 swept the series with an 11-0 victory in New Haven in a game stopped after five innings. Chase Supan pitched a no-hitter, walking four and striking out 10.

Constantinople led the offense with three hits, four runs batted in, and two runs scored. Gilbert had two hits and two runs scored, and Haygen Axelrod had two hits and two runs batted in.

The Westies took control of the game with three runs in each of the first three innings. In the first, Constantinople singled with the bases loaded to score Supan and Gilbert, before Axelrod singled to score the third run.

In the second, Gilbert doubled in a run, Constantinople singled to score Supan, and Josh Osborne singled to score Constantinople

West Haven improved to 4-0 when it defeated Milford 5-4 in the opener of a three-game series. The Westies trailed 4-3, before tying the game in the seventh and winning in the ninth.

Trailing by a run in the seventh, Tyler Jones was hit by a pitch with two outs, and Gilbert walked, before Tyler Jones stole third and home to even the game.

In the ninth, Madera led off with a single, and scored on Izzo’s long double to right for the 5-4 final.

Post 71 evened the game at one in the first when Tyler Jones scored on an error. West Haven took a 2-1 lead in the second when Evan Jones singled and later scored on an error. Trailing 4-2 in the fifth, Tyler Jones tripled to score Madera to get the Westies within 4-3.

Four West Haven pitchers combined for the victory with Axelrod pitching a scoreless inning of relief to pick up the win.

The Westies improved to 5-0 with an 8-5 road victory over Milford. Cam Cruz led the offense with two hits and two runs batted in, while Supan had two hits and two runs scored. Tyler Jones, Rubin, and Evan Jones each had two hits and a run batted in.

Trailing 5-1 in the seventh, the Westies scored four times to even the game, before winning with three in the ninth.

In the seventh, Gilbert was hit by a pitch with one out and scored on a triple by Rubin. Evan Jones singled to score Rubin, and Cruz singled to score Supan and Evan Jones to even the game at five.

Post 71 won the game in the ninth when Harp reached on an error to score two, and Tyler Jones doubled to score Harp for the 8-5 win.

The Westies completed the sweep of Milford to improve to 6-0 with a walk-off 7-6 victory in West Haven.

After Milford scored three in the seventh to take a 6-4 lead, Post 71 responded with three of its own in the bottom of the inning. Supan doubled with one out and scored on a triple by Evan Jones, Cruz evened the game with a single to score Evan Jones, and Izzo singled to drive in Cruz with the winner.

Post 71 took a 2-1 lead in the first as a pair of ground outs by Gilbert and Rubin plated a pair. The Westies took a 4-1 lead in the fourth when Izzo tripled to score Axelrod, and scored on a wild pitch.

West Haven’s seventh victory was a 9-0 road decision over North Haven. Hay tossed a complete-game four-hitter, walking one and striking out three.

Gianni Gambardella singled to score Tyler Jones in the first, before Supan scored on a wild pitch and Axelrod scored on a fielder’s choice by Izzo for a 3-0 lead in the second.

The Westies took a 6-0 lead in the third as Supan singled to score Gambardella, Axelrod singled to score Harp, and Cruz reached on a fielder’s choice to score Supan. Tyler Jones doubled and scored on a single by Gambardella in the fourth, Gilbert and Izzo droves in single runs in each of the final two innings.

The Westies won their eighth straight with an 11-9 victory over North Haven in eight innings. Trailing 4-0 in the second, Harp and Axelrod singled to lead off, before Madera singled with one out to score Harp with the first West Haven run.

North Haven took a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the inning, before West Haven rallied back with four in the third. Rubin singled to score Tyler Jones, Harp delivered Gilbert with a sacrifice fly, Rubin scored when Cruz reached on a fielder’s choice, and Supan scored on a wild pitch.

West Haven took an 8-6 lead in the fourth as Izzo walked and scored on a double by Tyler Jones, Gilbert doubled to score Jones, and Rubin followed with a double to score Gilbert. A single by Gilbert in the fifth extended West Haven’s lead to 9-6 before North Haven evened the game with three in the fifth.

Post 71 won the game in the eighth as Tyler Jones led off with a single, Gilbert singled, and Rubin doubled to score Tyler Jones. Harp reached on a two-out error to score Rubin for an 11-9 lead.

Izzo pitched the final four innings in relief of Axelrod, allowing one run on five hits, while walking three and striking out two. Gilbert led the offense with five hits, two runs scored, and two runs batted in, while Rubin added three hits, three runs batted in and two runs scored.

Izzo and Tyler Jones each had a pair of hits, with Jones scoring four times and driving in one, and Izzo also scoring once.

West Haven suffered its first loss of the season with a 3-1 decision at Hamden Sunday evening. Izzo led the offense with two hits, but the Westies could not put together an attack until late in the game.

The Westies loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth, but could not capitalize. Post 71 did not quit as the team loaded the bases in the seventh and got within 3-1 on a run-scoring single by Tyler Jones, but the Westies could not get closer.

​The West Haven Post 7 1 American Legion baseball team concluded the regular season with a 15-3 record and Zone 2 title, before winning the first two games of the state tournament.

West Haven Post 71 improved to 9-1 with a 5-3 victory over Hamden Post 88. Just two days after suffering its first defeat of the season at Hamden, West Haven rode the pitching of Anthony Constantinople to the victory.

Constantinople went 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits, while walking two and striking out three. Dan Izzo pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two.

Trailing 1-0, West Haven tied the game in the second inning when Chase Supan and Evan Jones hit one-out singles, before Supan later scored on a passed ball.

Post 71 took the lead for good in the third with three runs for a 4-1 advantage. Izzo started the rally with a two-out single, stole second and scored on Ray Gilbert’s single to center.

After Anthony Rubin was hit by a pitch to put a pair of runners on, Supan singled to right to score Gilbert. Rubin then scored on a wild pitch for a 4-1 lead. 

West Haven dropped its second in three games along with the series in a 5-2 loss to Hamden at Piurek Field in West Haven. With the loss, Post 71 fell to 9-2 on the year.

Jack Hay took the loss on the hill for the Westies, tossing 5.1 innings. Hay allowed two earned runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out three.

Despite taking a 1-0 lead in the first, the game was defined by missed opportunities for the Westies. While Anthony Rubin’s sacrifice fly scored Tyler Jones for a 1-0 lead, Post 71 got just the one run despite the first three runners reaching.

The Westies put a pair of runners on in the second when Jacob Fowler was hit by a pitch and Mike Madera reached on an error, but neither came around to score.

After Hamden scored a pair of unearned runs in the third, West Haven evened the game in the bottom of the inning when Tyler Jones left off with a triple to left and scored on Gilbert’s single. Gilbert stole second, but was left stranded in scoring position.

Hamden took a 4-2 lead in the fourth, before West Haven went down in order the next two innings. Trailing 5-2 in the sixth, Evan Jones hit a one-out single, but was stranded at second.

Post 71 had one final opportunity in the seventh as Madera walked with one out and Izzo followed with a single, but both were left stranded in West Haven’s second loss of the season.

West Haven lost its second in a row and third in four games with a 3-2 loss at Madison. Haygen Axelrod went the distance for the Westies as he allowed just four hits and three earned runs, while walking five and striking out one.

A two-run single by Gianni Gambardella in the third gave the Westies a 2-0 lead, but a two-out rally in the fourth propelled Madison to score three runs on two walks and two hits.

The Westies had one final opportunity to even the game in the seventh as K.J. Harp and Gilbert singled with one out, but West Haven stranded a pair in scoring position.

Post 71 got back on the winning track with a 9-3 home victory over Madison to improve to 10-3 on the season. Harp led the offense with three hits, while Tyler Jones and Cam Cruz each had a pair of hits.

Supan picked up the win, tossing five innings and allowing two runs. The West Haven starter walked three and struck out five.

After Madison took a 1-0 lead in the first, West Haven took the lead for good with four runs in the first and two in each of the second and third innings for an 8-1 lead.

In the first, Gilbert’s sacrifice fly scored Gambardella, Supan singled to score Gambardella, and Evan Jones singled to score Harp and Supan.

Another sacrifice fly by Gilbert in the second scored Dan Izzo, before Tyler Jones scored on an error. Tyler Jones reached on an error in the third to score a pair, and Harp singled to score Tyler Jones in the sixth for a 9-2 lead.

Post 71 took the series from Madison and improved to 11-3 with a 13-4 road victory. Izzo and Harp each had a pair of hits, with Izzo driving in three runs. Tyler Jones, Rubin, Haygen Axelrod and Madera each drove in a pair.

Post 71 took a 2-0 lead in the second inning as Supan singled, Axelrod walked with one out, and Madera singled to score Supan, before Tyler Jones walked with the bases loaded to score Axelrod.

West Haven took a 4-1 lead in the third as Harp singled, Rubin and Supan walked to load the bases, and Axelrod reached on a one-out error to score Harp. Madera grounded out to score Rubin for a 4-1 advantage.

The Westies increased the lead to 6-1 in the fourth as Tyler Jones reached on an error, and scored on a double by Gilbert, before Gilbert scored on a ground out by Rubin.

After Madison got within 6-4 in the fifth, Post 71 put the game away with seven runs in the sixth for a 13-4 lead.

Izzo singled and scored on a double by Tyler Jones, who scored when Harp reached on an error for an 8-4 lead. Rubin singled to score Harp, Axelrod singled to score Rubin, and Izzo doubled to clear the bases, scoring Cruz, Axelrod and Madera for a 13-4 lead.

Tyler Jones pitched the first five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, while striking out three. Izzo pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit, walking three and striking out two.

West Haven improved to 12-3 with a 1-0 forfeit victory over Branford Tuesday evening as Branford could not field enough players.

After a slow start, West Haven used a nine-run fourth inning to post a 16-3 road victory over Branford in a game stopped after five innings. The Westies improved to 13-3.

Izzo, Rubin, Constantinople and Cruz led the way with two hits apiece. Gilbert and Axelrod each drove in three runs, while Cruz and Izzo delivered two.

Hay picked up the win for Post 71, tossing a two-hitter. Hay did not allow an earned run, while walking five and striking out five.

Trailing 2-0 after a pair of West Haven errors in the first, the Westies evened the game in the third. Harp reached on an error and scored on a triple by Izzo, before Izzo scored on Gilbert’s sacrifice fly to center.

West Haven broke the game open with nine runs in the fourth. Izzo singled to score Madera, Gilbert doubled to score Cruz and Harp, Rubin singled in Izzo, and Evan Jones singled to score Gilbert for a 7-2 lead. Axelrod followed with a single to score Rubin and Supan, and Cruz doubled to score Evan Jones and Axelrod.

Post 71 put the game away with five runs in the fifth, with three of the runs coming on bases loaded walks.

The Westies improved to 14-3 with a 13-3 six inning victory over Branford to complete the series sweep. Constantinople and Joe Malangone combined on a 7-hitter in the win, with Constantinople picking up the victory in four innings worked.

Axelrod led the offense with three hits and two runs batted in. Harp had two hits, two runs scored, and three runs batted in, Izzo had two hits and two runs batted in, and Madera added a pair of hits.

West Haven took a 3-0 lead in the first when Tyler Jones singled, Gilbert reached on an error, Harp singled to score Jones, and Cruz reached on an error to score Gilbert and Harp.

Post 71 pulled away with five in the second for an 8-0 lead. Madera and Tyler Jones sandwiched walks around a single by Izzo to load the bases, Harp singled in a pair, Izzo scored on a wild pitch, Axelrod drove in a run with a single, and Supan scored on an error.

Leading 8-1, Post 71 added a run in the fourth when Constantinople reached on a fielder’s choice to score Cruz.

With a 9-3 lead, Post 71 put the game away with four in the bottom of the sixth. Supan scored on a balk, Axelrod singled to score Cruz, and Izzo hit a two-run double to end the game. 

West Haven closed the regular season with an 11-8 victory over North Haven. With the victory, the Westies finished the regular season with a 15-3 record and Zone 2 regular season champions.

Harp led the Westies with three hits and three runs scored, while Tyler Jones, Gilbert, Rubin and Evan Jones each had a pair of hits. Gilbert also drove in four runs.

Post 71 took a 4-0 lead in the first as Harp singled, Izzo was hit by a pitch, and both scored on a double by Tyler Jones. Gilbert singled to score Tyler Jones, and Evan Jones hit into a fielder’s choice to score Gilbert.

After North Haven scored in the second, West Haven increased the lead to 7-1 in the bottom of the inning with three more runs. Madera and Harp opened the inning with singles, Tyler Jones walked with one out, and Gilbert was hit by a pitch to score Madera. Rubin hit into a fielder’s choice to score Harp and Jones for the 7-1 lead.

The Westies added four more in the third. Evan Jones and Cruz led off with singles, Madera hit into a fielder’s choice to score Jones, Izzo hit a run-scoring single, and Gilbert singled to score Harp and Izzo.

North Haven scored two in the fourth and five in the fifth to get within 11-8, but West Haven held on for the win. 

West Haven opened the state tournament with a 4-1 victory over Moosup in the first round of POD G play. Supan tossed a complete game 3-hitter, allowing an unearned run, while walking one and striking out six.

Tyler Jones led the offense with three hits, while Harp drove in a pair of runs.

Trailing 1-0 in the second, West Haven evened the game when Izzo drew a bases loaded walk to score Supan, who reached on a fielder’s choice.

Post 71 took the lead for good with three runs in the sixth. Evan Jones reached on an error, Cruz was hit by a pitch, and Tyler Jones singled to score Evan Jones for a 2-1 lead. With the bases loaded, Harp singled to score Cruz and Tyler Jones for a 4-1 advantage.

West Haven advanced to the final of POD G play with a 4-3 victory over Trumbull at Piurek Field. Gambardella was the story of the game as he tossed a complete game 5-hitter, allowing three earned runs, while walking one and striking out 11.

After Trumbull tied the game with three runs in the sixth, West Haven answered immediately in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good.

Harp reached on an error, moved to third on a sacrifice by Rubin, and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Supan. Gambardella needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order in the seventh to send West Haven to the final.

West Haven took a 1-0 lead in the second as Rubin singled, moved to second on an error on the play, third on a sacrifice, and scored on a passed ball.

Post 71 increased the lead to 3-0 in the third when Tyler Jones led off with a walk, and Gilbert was hit by a pitch with one out. With runners on the corners, Tyler Jones scored on a fielder’s choice by Harp, before Harp stole second and third, and scored on an error on the throw to third. 

Needing just one win to advance to the American Legion Super Regionals, the West Haven Post 71 baseball team found it was not going to be easy. Trumbull pounded 12 hits in the game, led 6-0 after three innings and never looked back in a 7-3 win over the Westies.

Chase Supan took the loss for West Haven, allowing six runs in 2.1 innings of work. Evan Jones and Tyler Jones combined on 3-hit ball the rest of the way, but it was not enough in the loss.

Tyler Jones, K.J. Harp, and Ray Gilbert led the offense with two hits apiece.

Trumbull took advantage of a walk and an error to go along with a pair of hits for a 2-0 lead in the second. On the brink of its season possibly ending, Trumbull put the game away with four runs in the third on five singles and a double.

Despite being down by seven runs, West Haven had its opportunities.

Trailing 7-0, Post 71 got on the board with a run in the fourth as Tyler Jones led off with a double and scored on a one-out double. The Westies had runners on the corners, but failed to push across another run.

West Haven added a run in the fifth as Cam Cruz singled, moved to second on an error on the play, and scored on a single by Haygen Axelrod. The Westies again stranded a pair in the inning.

Gilbert doubled and scored on a single by Evan Jones in the sixth, but Post 71 left two more on base. In the seventh, Dan Izzo reached on an error to open the inning, Tyler Jones singled to put a pair of runners on, but neither advanced, setting up the one-game playoff to advance.

The title game started in a positive way as the Westies were the visiting team and took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Izzo reached on a bunt single to start the game, moved to second on an error, and scored on Gianni Gambardella’s single to left.

Trumbull responded immediately in the bottom of the inning as a leadoff triple against Tyler Jones was followed by a ground out to even the game at one.

Izzo doubled with two outs in the third, but was left stranded, before Trumbull stranded a pair in the bottom of the inning.

Post 71 took a 2-1 lead in the fourth as Gilbert hit a one-out double to right and scored on a two-out single to left by Supan.

With the momentum on West Haven’s side, the lights went out at Piurek Field, forcing the conclusion of the title game to wait another day.

Anthony Constantinople was on the mound as the game resumed 24 hours later and pitched a scoreless fourth for Post 71.

Constantinople led off the fifth with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, and third on a sacrifice. Izzo then singled to right to score Constantinople for a 3-1 lead. Gambardella followed with a two-out single and Gilbert singled to center to increase the margin to 4-1.

Trumbull wasted no time getting back in the game with three runs in the fifth to even the game at four, but, with the bases loaded, a double play ball by Trumbull helped West Haven get out of the inning without further damage.

Post 71 capitalized on the momentum, scoring twice in the sixth to take a 6-4 lead. Supan and Evan Jones reached on errors to open the inning, and Izzo drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Tyler Jones followed with a single to center, scoring a pair for the two-run margin.

After leaving the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, West Haven held on as Trumbull stranded a pair in the bottom of the seventh, allowing West Haven to advance to the Super Regionals in Middletown.

Third-seeded West Haven opened the Super Regional bracket in Middletown with a dramatic 6-5 victory over Ellington in the opening round. Trailing by a pair of runs entering the last inning, West Haven rallied to score three runs with two outs to pull out the victory.

Tyler Jones started the winning rally with a one-out double and Gambardella walked. Supan walked with two outs to load the bases before Evan Jones hit a two-strike single to right, scoring Tyler Jones and Gambardella. When an errant throw was made on the cut-off on the play, Supan scored the winning run.

Trailing 2-0 in the first, West Haven got on the board when Izzo led off with a single, Tyler Jones walked, Anthony Rubin singled to load the bases, and Supan reached on an error to score Izzo.

West Haven evened the game at two in the third inning when Tyler Jones hit a one-out single and scored on Rubin’s double to center. The Westies then took a 3-2 lead in the fifth when Tyler Jones reached on an error, Gambardella singled, and Rubin grounded out to score Jones. 

Tyler Jones, Rubin, and Constantinople led the offense with two hits apiece. Tyler Jones scored three times in the win.

Post 71 suffered its first defeat of the Super Regionals, falling to Danbury 5-0. West Haven could not get going offensively, managing only singles off the bats of Tyler Jones and Mike Madera in the game.
Danbury scored twice in the fourth and added three in the sixth to pull away. Gambardella went six innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs, while striking out nine.

Madera picked up West Haven’s first hit of the game in the third, but was erased on a double play ball. Madera’s hit was the only runner of the game for Post 71 until Tyler Jones led off the seventh with a single. Jones was also erased on a double play ball to put a damper on any hopes of another West Haven comeback.  

West Haven advanced to the finals of the Middletown bracket Super Regionals by defeating Middletown 2-1. In what turned into a pitcher’s duel, Supan tossed a complete-game four-hitter, walking three and striking out five.

Post 71 scored all the runs it needed in the top of the first inning as Evan Jones led off with a single and scored on a one-out triple by Rubin. Supan followed with a single to right, scoring Rubin for a 2-0 advantage.

Middletown loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but could not put a run on the board. Middletown had a leadoff double in the fifth, but never advanced, before a 30-minute lightning delay came after the sixth.

After Post 71 went down in order in the top of the seventh, Middletown had one final opportunity in the bottom of the seventh.

A hit batter and a walk had two on with two outs, before a single scored the first run. With Middletown looking to tie the game on the play, a perfect relay from Gambardella to Jones to Connor Hume at the plate prevented the tying run from scoring and propelled the Westies to the finals.

The run came to an end for the Westies in the finals of the Super Regionals. Having to defeat Danbury twice, the Westies ran out of gas and fell 13-1.

Post 71 could not put a rally together after falling behind early when Danbury scored four times in the bottom of the first.

West Haven managed just five hits in the contest, with two of those safeties coming in the opening inning. Gambardella, who had two of the five West Haven hits, and Rubin hit one-out singles, before a ground out by Evan Jones put the Westies on the board, scoring Gambardella.

That was all the run production for West Haven as Gambardella doubled in the third, but was left stranded. Post 71 had one final scoring opportunity in the fourth when Evan Jones and Madera singled, but neither came around to score.

West Haven finished its impressive summer season with a final record of 20-6. 

AMERICAN LEGION 2022 

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