Governor's Cup reunites best friends on Fontana Field for first time

Above, Ryan Peloquin, below, Tyler Dube.
(Photos by Matt Leidemer)

Last Saturday was a rather appropriate ending for two of the players on the Connecticut sideline during the annual Connecticut/Rhode Island Governor’s Cup football game, which pits the best seniors from both states against each other.

Two friends, who grew up inches apart but had yet to step on Southington High’s Fontana Field together, final got their first opportunity. Tyler Dube, the lone Southington High School representative, played wide receiver and Ryan Peloquin, a lifelong Southington kid who attended high school at St. Paul Catholic in Bristol, was on the offensive line.

The Nutmeg State once again dominated, winning 37-6, the squad’s ninth straight win, pushing the overall mark to 10-3 in the 13 contests since 1999.

But for Peloquin and Dube, at the end of the day, the win was nice, but more importantly, they finally got their first chance to compete together on Fontana Field.

“It’s great to finally be able to get out here on this field with Tyler Dube,” Peloquin explained. “He’s been my neighbor, he’s been one of my best friends my whole life. I didn’t get the chance to play with him in high school; it’s great to get to play now (with him). I wish we could have got a score for him, though.”

“We’ve been best friends since first grade,” said Dube, “just to be with him one last time,” and then he paused and corrected himself, “or one first time actually, it’s really fun.”

Both had wide grins when asked about the other. Growing up as neighbors, they’ve always been close and grew up together on the football field before Peloquin left for St. Paul.

For Dube, the Fontana Field experience was nothing new for him. Nor would have been the usual site, Rentschler Field, which was being renovated – he’d played at both places. But being in Southington earned him a nice ovation from the crowd when his name was introduced.

“Playing home – it wasn’t Rentschler, but it was a nice homecoming,” Dube explained.
When asked if it was emotional, the now former Blue Knight said, “A little bit; just coming out here for the last time. You never know when you’re last play is going to be. I had fun.”
The 6-foot-3, 290 pound Peloquin had a slightly different outlook to the game being played at Fontana Field.

“For me when I heard it, I had mixed feelings because obviously you want to play at Rentschler, but playing in Southington, I was probably the only guy happy at all to hear that. Everyone else was crying all two weeks practicing. I’m like, ‘I finally get to see what it’s like to play here.’ It was great,” he said.

And of course his family and friends came out because why not, “it’s a five minute drive” joked Peloquin.

In regards to the game, both said it was great to be playing football with some of the best.
“It was really fun to just come out here and get back on the field,” Dube said. “Hadn’t been out here in a while and just to play football again is amazing.”

“I didn’t really know what football was like outside of St. Paul, outside of the Naugatuck Valley League and outside of the Northwest Conference, my first year. You get to see players all over the state, see them compete on one team, I’m just hoping it gets me ready for next year,” Peloquin commented.

What Peloquin is referring to is Princeton University. He will go there this fall and plans to play football on the offensive line. He will be alongside a couple of his Connecticut teammates from this past Saturday’s game, Jon Esposito, from Conard, and Seth Devalve, from Manchester.

“I’m pumped to get up to the next level,” described Peloquin. “Play with some great guys up there and hopefully win a few Ivy League titles.”

Dube will also be heading off to play college football at Sacred Heart University. He reports Aug. 7.

“I’m really excited about Sacred Heart,” he said. “It’s going to be a good time.”

2011 Wayton Open Tournament brackets

The 2011 Wayton Open Tennis Tournament kicks off this weekend in Southington and continues through Monday, pending weather. This will be the fourth year for the event that started in 2007 and skipped a year in 2008. The men's bracket is below, followed by the women's bracket (click to enlarge). Most of the tournament will take place at Panthorn Park with Southington High School being used as additional court space. This is the first year women are competing in a separate bracket. For all details on the event, photos, past results and live updates, check out http://www.waytonopen2011.com./

Men's Bracket

Women's Bracket

MLBer Denorfia part of second class for Southington Sports Hall of Fame

RELEASE:

The Southington Sports Hall of Fame generated more excitement than anybody had hoped in 2010. Hundreds of former athletes, coaches, family, and fans packed the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, and officials expect that excitement to carry over to 2011.

“I think it's safe to say that last year's event was far more successful than even the most optimistic member of the selection committee could have expected,” said selection committee chairman Dennis J. Stanek, Jr. “It was a big success.”


Chris Denorfia is one of the 12 athletes to be inducted into the second

class of the Southington Sports Hall of Fame.

Photo UPI/Jim Bryant


The Southington Sports Hall of Fame selection committee recently announced their second class, and officials believe that it will be as good as the first. The list includes 12 athletes, a coach, a booster, two individual teams, and a pair of posthumous members. The group includes athletes, coaches, along with members of the press and community. Stanek said that the group is a great representation of Southington’s rich sports tradition.

“I think that this year's class is equally as impressive as the last one,” he said. “Someone can make the case that every single one of this year's inductees could have been put in the inaugural event. We're so happy that they were inducted into this class. I think it's a great honor, and they've all made such a great impact on sports in our community and their long overdue recognition is right in front of us.”

Longtime track coach Wayne Nakoneczny heads a list that includes current professional athletes and coaches. He will be joined by former athletes Jack Valentine, Chris Denorfia, Kelly Hart, Irene Mach, Gary Solomon, Joe DePaolo, Tom Poitras, Ray Thorpe, Ed Nardi, Dick Tully, Mike Raczka, and Corky Cassella.

In addition, the committee will recognize the accomplishments of Southington High School’s 1961 baseball team and 1982 girls basketball team. Joseph Abate will be honored for his behind-the-scenes contributions as a booster, while Dick Galiette and Charlie Klemovich will be honored posthumously for their efforts on and off the field and in the pressroom.

“I think this is a very good cross section,” said Stanek. “The committee took input from the fans, the communities, the supporters, and coaches. I think that this year has an even broader spectrum of athletes with men and women and team sports. We put a lot of time into selecting those athletes that truly deserve this.”

The class will be inducted on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at an award dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. Tickets cost $50. Call Jim Verderame at (860) 628-7335 for tickets.

“It's going to be a lot of fun,” said Stanek. “We wanted to give back to this community by recognizing those athletes that have given so much to the town at a nice evening event at the Aqua Turf. Family and friends can come back to reminisce about the history of Southington sports and recognize those athletes that brought so many titles to Southington over the last 60 years or so.”

Southington High School ready for Governor's Cup on Saturday

Not only are Southington High Athletic Director Eric Swallow and crew busy this week preparing Southington High’s Fontana Field for graduation, but also getting it ready for some football as the 13th Annual Governor’s Cup Connecticut/Rhode Island Senior All-State game will take place Saturday evening at the high school.

The game returns to the site of the very first game back in 1999. The head coach for that one was Hand-Madison head football coach Steve Filippone, who’s still involved in the game as the Chairman of the Connecticut Governor’s Cup Committee and an active member in the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA), the group that organizes the game.

Fontana Field primed and ready for the Governor's Cup.
(Citizen photo by Michael Guerrera)

“There’s something neat about going back to the roots of this game and playing it on that field again so I think it’s a great place,” explained Filippone. “I think it’s an optimum site for this game this year.”

Southington has pitched in big time, explained Filippone, as the Girdiron Club will be shouldering most of the duties such as running the concession and taking tickets.

“It’s been a great community effort to bring the game back here,” continued Filippone.

Back in 1999, Filippone recollected telling CHSCA President John Fontana, “We had a great crowd. The place was hopping. There were tons of people. It was a great environment; the kids had a wonderful experience.”

The game time was moved this year from a later start to now a 4:30 p.m. kickoff with introductions starting around 4 p.m. Two factors that might limit attendance are the weather and the Traveler’s Championship Golf Tournament drawing some people to Cromwell. Fontana hopes for the kids’ sake, that people come out.

“The kids work 10 days, from both states, work their buns off, you’d like to have some people in the stands,” he said.

Saturday's showcase will feature some of the best football players Connecticut has to offer, including one Southington athlete, wide receiver Tyler Dube, who had a big smile walking into practice Tuesday and said he was excited to be playing at home.

Not only is it a special event for the kids, but it’s also served as a springboard for many of them.

“A lot of the kids that we’ve had in the last three or four years, some of the people in our group and coaches, after our game, have placed I betcha between 12, 13, 14 kids in junior colleges who were going nowhere, but because of the game and they were seen and they played so well that they got an opportunity to go (to junior college) and then from there they went on to college. So it’s helped out a lot of kids,” Fontana noted.

Connecticut will feature upwards of 60 kids and 12 coaches. Prior to the game, there will be a youth clinic run by Frank Stamilio and Mike Prairie on the Southington field hockey field, closest to Pleasant Street. Registration will start at the main gate by the fields at 11:30 a.m. with the clinic running form 1 to 3 p.m.

Check out Connecticut Post reporter Sean Patrick Bowley's High School Football blog for a full Connecticut Roster

Southington High baseball team not measured by one game

If you’re in anyway associated with the Southington High baseball program, at first glance you may not bother to read this. But ask that you do, because this isn’t about a game, this is about a team and a special group of young men.

The Blue Knights’ hopes at a baseball state championship didn’t happen last weekend, but that by no means should diminish what this group did.

In high school sports, resiliency, perseverance, heart, desire – they’re words that get thrown around a lot, but often times are a fleeting thought.


The three captains, from left, Zack Niles, Alex
Roger and Sal Romano were critical in developing
the team's character. (Photo by Matt Leidemer)

For the 2011 version of Southington on the diamond, that was not the case. At this past Monday’s banquet, the memories were still most certainly sour and bitter – but someday, when the initial sting goes away and the wound heals up, those memories should be happy and joyful – fluffy cloud type of stuff, not dark and dreary skies.

Because victory as a team is not truly measured by championships – it’s measured by actions, how you show up in practice, what it’s like after practice and the rapport you build with each other.

And this team did all of those things with the utmost integrity and class.

Resiliency – in the four wins in the state tournament, this team won all coming from behind, three of which were won in the last at bat.

Perseverance – this team dealt with health issues and trying to fill holes all year and there was always someone there to step up.

Heart – like the previous two adjectives, this is connected to this team’s never-say-die attitude – it wasn’t always about winning, but it was about pulling for each other and pulling for success.

Desire – the only way a team can get so down after defeat is if they wanted it that bad and this team wanted everything real bad and worked every day for it.

Were there rifts? Probably, they’re high school boys and it’s a team; that happens.

But day in and out, head coach Charlie Lembo would say that his team continued to work, work, work on the things they struggled with as well as the things they were a little better at.

And that’s really the only way you get as far as they did.

This team had character – from the first player to the last – and glowing character at that. It was comprised of a group that not only was successful in 2011, but will likely be successful in the future.

When the team traveled to Cooperstown, only to have its game rained out, Lembo said the hotel manager said they have groups all the time and the Knights were one of the best to come through. The writing was on the wall then that this team was a championship group before they even played a game into June.

And if it’s facts you need for proof, consider this: Of the team’s six losses on the year, five of them came in the opponent’s last at bat. Only one game did a team maintain a lead over at least the final two innings.

That says it all. The fight, the heart, the desire and on – they had it all.

Sometimes, when it comes to wins and losses, yeah, you come up short, but when it comes to a championship team that carries themselves in the right way, this team was off the charts.

Rock Cats fill fireworks void in New Britain

The New Britain Rock Cats, like the classy organization that they are, have decided to not let the Fourth of July pass in New Britain without fireworks. In response to the City of New Britain cancelling its annual Fourth of July fireworks display, the Cats, the AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins that calls New Britain its home, have decided to give New Britain residents a chance to "ooh" and "ahh" after all.

The Cats are inviting all New Britain residents to join them at New Britain Stadium Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2 - for $1 each evening. On July 1 the Cats will play Harrisburg at 7:05 p.m. and a Fireworks Show will follow the game.

On July 2, there will be an old fashion, single-admission double header starting at 5:05 p.m. At the conclusion of the second game, there were will a Pyroteknics Show.

For each game, all New Britain residents have to do is have a current license or other proof of identity/residency and pay the one buck for Friday or Saturday and you get baseball and fireworks.

"We completely understand the City's need to prioritize public expenditures," said Rock Cats’ CEO Bill Dowling in a statement, "times are tough everywhere. At the same time, the people of New Britain have been so supportive of us over the years that we want to do something to help – particularly for those families who were looking forward to taking their kids to see the fireworks. What we end up doing will not be nearly as expansive as what the City has done in the past – but we hope it will bring smiles to the faces of a lot of people who have been very good to the Rock Cats."

DiNello and Casner honored for outstanding character

From the Southington High Athletic Department:

There are many important traditions at Southington High School. Good sportsmanship is one of those traditions, as is enthusiastic participation. School spirit has always been an important tradition in school and in the community.

With these values in mind, the Val Leach Memorial Trophy was established many years ago. The award is presented to the girl who embraces all these attributes.

This year, it is our with great pleasure that we award this trophy to Rebecca Casner for her participation in Unified Sports soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and track in the spring seasons.

The Spirit Award is presented to the senior boy who has exhibited outstanding characteristics of enthusiastic participation, good sportsmanship and school spirit. Southington High School is proud to announce that this year’s recipient of the Spirit Award is James DiNello.

Southington/Newington by the numbers: Breaking down the Class LL baseball final

So let's get right down to it - no quotes, no opinions, no nonsense, just numbers. No. 17 Newington will square off against No. 7 Southington Saturday in the winner-take-all CIAC Class LL Championship baseball game. And if these teams hadn't played twice this year, everything would be maybes, this and that. But since they have - Southington won 7-2 on May 11, Southington won 11-3 on May 25 - we can give you some cold, hard numbers that may help you when you're calling Vegas and putting some money down. OK, all kidding aside, here you go:

Offense

• Southington's best performer with the aluminum over the two games was, shockingly, Sal Romano. He went 4-for-6 combined, scoring two runs, driving in three, had a double and a homerun.
• Second best was Alex Roger. The senior co-captain, headed to play baesball at UConn-Avery Point, was 3-for-5 in the two games with three runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a double.
• In the 11-3 win, Ben Nichols went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and Zack Niles was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
• Of note, in the May 11 game, Southington had seven hits against Newington pitching - the starter for that one was Saturday's probable, Newington ace and Southern Connecticut State University-bound Cole Bryant, he went five innings, allowing six earned runs and striking out eight, but walking six.  
• In the first game, May 11, Tyler Burns had the big smash, a grand slam off of Bryant.
• On the flip side, the Newington offense mustered a total of seven hits in the two games, three in 12 innings against Romano and two in one inning against Roger and two in one inning against Tim Leahy.
• All told, Southington out-hit Newington in the two games, 20-7.

Pitching

• Romano really was the story, by the numbers, he pitched six innings in the first win and six in the second win combining for 12 innings, no runs (earned or unearned), three hits, 19 strikeouts and four walks (which all came in the 11-3 win).
• Bryant is a very good pitcher who might have just had a bad day on May 11 giving up six earned runs in the five innings he pitched. Newington pitching has done all right, striking out 15 guys over the two contests, but walking 13 and allowing 10 earned runs. The Indians allowed eight unearned runs in the two games.

Defense

• This is where Southington has struggled all season and where Newington had the edge in the two games. In the first game the Blue Knights made three errors and then two in the second game for a total of five. The Indians had one the first game, three the second, for a total of four.
• On the year, the Knights have committed an astonishing 75 errors, which over 24 games is just over three a game. Their defense has been better lately.. Their opponents committed only 37 errors against them this season.
• In the tournament, Southington has made nine errors in the four games, however, they made five against Pomperaug in an 11 inning contest, so subtract that and it's been a mostly well-played postseason, defensively.

So there you go. Those are the numbers that maybe give you a little insight on what has happened and what you can maybe expect. Then again, it's high school baseball, so they really mean nothing. We'll see you at the ballpark.

Reaction to Southington 2011-12 football schedule

Here's a look at the 2011-12 Southington football schedule:

Southington 2011-12 Varsity Football Schedule
10 Events Listed || Go Back ||
Date	Opponent	H/A-Facility	Time/Result	Bus Time	Note
Fri., 9/16	East Hartford	Home - Southington High School [Directions]	7:00 p.m.
Fri., 9/23	New Britain	Home - Southington High School [Directions]	7:00 p.m.
Sat., 10/1	Newington	Away - Alumni VAR Field on Alumni Road - LIGHTS [Directions]	6:00 p.m.	TBA
Fri., 10/7	Conard	Away - Conard HS Stadium [Directions]	3:00 p.m.	TBA
Fri., 10/14	South Windsor	Home - Southington High School [Directions]	7:00 p.m.
Sat., 10/22	Glastonbury	Away - Stadium Field (turf) [Directions]	1:00 p.m.	TBA
Sat., 10/29	Hall	Away - Hall HS Stadium (Turf Field) [Directions]	1:30 p.m.	TBA
Fri., 11/4	Simsbury	Home - Southington High School [Directions]	7:00 p.m.
Fri., 11/11	Manchester	Home - Southington High School [Directions]	7:00 p.m.
Thu., 11/24	Cheshire	Away - Cheshire High Main Game field [Directions]	10:00 a.m.	TBA

Quick thoughts on what the Blue Knights and new head coach Mike Drury will be dealing with:

• For one, no cupcakes. Last year, there was a glaring soft spot on the schedule with East Catholic, a game Southington won 47-14 with a running second-half clock. 
• They'll see three teams that were in the Class LL playoffs last year - Glastonbury, Conard, Hall. 
• They won't face a team below Class LL, which means it'll be all big time teams that have the ability to compete. 
• They will compete in the realigned Division I-CCC West - in the West there is Conard, Hall, Simsbury and New Britain. The East has East Hartford, Glastonbury, Newington, South Windsor and Manchester. The only non-CCC Division I team is Cheshire - also Class LL.
• Conard and Hall replace Windsor and East Catholic from last year.
• A nice start with a down East Hartford program and a New Britain team with new head coach Tebucky Jones. 
• No game at Rentschler Field - five home games, all at Southington High. 
• And of course, we can't forget the Manchester game on Nov. 11, a re-match of the infamous Wristband game from last season. 

Romano named Gatorade Connecticut Baseball Player of the Year

Today (June 1), the Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE announced Southington's Sal Romano as the 2010-11 Gatorade Connecticut Baseball Player of the Year. Romano is the second Blue Knight to win the honor in the 26 year history of the award. Carl Pavano earned the honor in 1994. That year, Pavano led Southington baseball to a Class LL state championship.

Romano is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year award announced later this month. Past various state winners of the award include Major Leaguers like Derek Jeter, Roy Halladay, David Price, Chipper Jones, Derek Lee, Jon Lester and Justin Upton.


Sal Romano pitches against Ridgfield
(credit: Citizen photo by Michael Guerrera)

Yesterday, Romano led the No. 7 Blue Knights to a 2-1 win over No. 26 Ridgefield in the opening round of the Class LL state tournament, twirling a five-hit gem, striking out 12 and walking one, while allowing just the one earned run. On the season, Romano's gaudy numbers read: 61 innings pitched, 103 strikeouts to 12 walks, only 32 hits allowed, while sporting a record of 9-1 with a 0.46 ERA. He has two complete games on the year as well as a shutout, which also was a no-hitter. Opponents are hitting a measly .144 against him and slugging .180.

The University of Tennessee-bound righthander, standing at 6-foot-4, 220-pounds, also leads the Blue Knight offense. He's currently the top hitter on the squad, batting .439 and tied for the team lead in hits with 29. He's scored 17 runs, driven in 24 and has two homers and 10 doubles. He also has seven walks and four steals.

The award not only recognizes athletic excellence, but also high academic standards and exemplary character on and off the field. Romano has maintained an A-minus average in school, while volunteering locally on behalf of a mentoring program at a local elementary school and at the Mill Foundation for Kids, which benefits children suffering pediatric illnesses.

Romano was also an all-conference basketball player this season averaging 16 points, 12 rebounds, and just shy of two blocks a game. He joins past winners Colin O'Keefe (2009-10, Waterford), Matt Carasiti (2008-09, Berlin), Jason Esposito (2007-08, Amity) and Matt Harvey (2006-07, Fitch).

Romano reacted to winning the award after his team beat Simsbury 4-3 in eight innings Wednesday (June 1) in walk-off fashion to advance to the Class LL quarterfinals.

"It's a good accomplishment, but I'm more excited about this game that we won today. I put a lot of hard work in my whole life, so getting that award it's an honor," Romano said.

Romano was also asked about being named in the same breath as another Southington great, Carl Pavano.

"I'm trying to make a name for myself," Romano explained. "I don't want to be following in someone's shadows. I want to do this for me and for my team, but it's good if someone compares me to him."