New Canaan Firefighters Mets 14, Ed’s Garage Doors Marlins 4
Mets players (l-r): Jake Somma, Jackson Benett, Ryan Sztam, Peyton Rau, Quentin Pearl, Alex Etergino, John Bajaj. Mets Coaches: Ken Pearl and Arvind Bajaj, and members of the New Canaan Fire Department.
An exciting 2015 New Canaan Baseball “A” Division season came to a close as the New Canaan Firefighters-sponsored Mets defeated the Ed’s Garage Doors-sponsored Marlins 14-4 in the championship game on Saturday, June 13. The final matchup featured the #1 seeded Mets (11-3) vs. the #3 seeded Marlins (8-5-1). Two of the three Mets regular season losses were to the Marlins which added to the highly anticipated final at Mead Park’s Mellick Field.
After Mets starter John Bajaj held the Marlins scoreless in the top of the first, the Mets jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom half of the inning on RBI singles delivered by Bajaj, second baseman Harry Mayock, first baseman Quentin Pearl and a 2-RBI double from left fielder Ned Smith.
After Bajaj completed his second scoreless inning, the Marlins then held the Mets without a run over the next three innings with outstanding pitching from Ted and Alex Werner. Key hits from Brady Pesaturo, Luke Frame and Kai Kompanik in the middle innings allowed the Marlins to close the gap to 5-2.
The Mets responded in the bottom of the 4th with three runs. Outfielders Ryan Sztam and Harry Lee drew walks, and scored on a double by catcher Jake Somma. A steal and a fielder’s choice brought Somma home to increase the lead to 8-2.
The Marlins rallied for two runs in the top of the 5th inning on the strength of timely hits from Drew Logsdon and Aidan Stant. Mets right fielder Jackson Benett was part of a group that played tight defense, and slick plays by shortstop Alex Etergino and third baseman Peyton Rau limited the damage. The inning ended with the Mets holding an 8-4 lead.
The Mets bats got going in the bottom of the fifth as Somma, Bajaj, Mayock and Pearl delivered their second hits of the game, and Ned Smith added his second 2-RBI double. In the end the Mets scored 6 runs, which put the game out of reach at 14-4.
The accompanying photo shows several of the Mets in front of one of the New Canaan fire trucks. New Canaan Fire Department Lt. Duffy Sasser, who gave the boys a tour of the truck, said: “We are a big believer in youth programs, and we are proud to be a sponsor of New Canaan baseball. Congratulations to this fine group of boys.”