American Legion Senior Baseball Starts Fast Behind Fowler
June 15, 2009 by Greg Lederer
Last summer represented a critical juncture in the development of Cheshire baseball player Ryan Fowler. He split time between the Cheshire American Legion Senior and Junior teams, picking up the detailed aspects of pitching and simply watching the games unfold.
His progression is very evident one year later. The Senior team trusted Fowler so much to give him the ball for their season opener against host Wallingford on June 13, and they weren’t disappointed. Fowler yielded just four base runners during the second inning and fired seven strikeouts, as Cheshire started with a 8-2 victory at Pat Wall Field.
“It felt good,” said Fowler. “I just had to get command of the pitches and find out the best ways to go after the hitters.”
Cheshire provided more than enough run support, scoring three times before Fowler even threw his first pitch. Brad Runowicz hit into a force play to put Cheshire ahead (1-0) after Eric Ostroski (walk) and Steve Howard (single) reached at the start of the game. Dan Flynn drew a walk and Dave Tammaro singled home Runowicz. A wild pitch allowed Flynn to score the third run.
“It’s always good to have the team step up offensively when you are on the mound,” Fowler said.
Fowler struck out the first two hitters he faced, but ran into trouble in the second inning. Wallingford put two runners (single, walk) on base immediately and, following consecutive errors, they ended the shutout. Fowler struck out two hitters in a row before an one-out single cut the deficit to 3-2.
Cheshire answered right back with three runs in the top of the third, taking advantage of miscues. Runowicz struck out and then reached first base when the ball got away from the catcher, and then the right fielder dropped the ensuing fly ball off the bat of Flynn. Max Slade drew a walk to load the bases and Runowicz sprinted home on a wild pitch.
Wallingford continued to find bad luck, as a hard liner from John Kubilus deflected off the first baseman’s glove and Flynn scored. Kevin Jefferis added an RBI double, sending Slade home for a 6-2 lead. Eight walks exemplified an emphasis on patience at the plate.
“Hitting with a wood bat is a big transition for these guys coming off the high school season,” said Tom Pinkham, who shares Cheshire head coaching duties with Dave Jefferis. “We’ve been approaching that for the last week. We want guys to work the count and grind out at bats.”
Fowler retired 10 consecutive hitters after the second inning. Dan Feldshon, who played his freshman season for Eastern Connecticut State University this spring, pitched the final two innings.
“Ryan did a fantastic job tonight,” said Pinkham. “He had great control of his pitches.”
Cheshire tacked on two more runs in the sixth. Flynn led off with a infield single and scored when Wallingford misplayed a double from Tammaro. Slade supplied an RBI single.
Despite suffering a thigh bruise late in his senior season at CHS, Tammaro showed toughness at catcher. He also added two hits each with Howard (leadoff triple in seventh), Jefferis, and Kubilus.
“He is the guy I want behind the plate,” Pinkham explained. “He keeps runners honest and knows the pitching staff really well.”
Cheshire will host Middletown for their home opener on June 18, at 5:45 p.m.