After getting a terrific pitching performance from David Reischerl, and rallying for two runs in the top of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead, the Norwich American Legion baseball team was poised to upset Zone 6 leader Waterford.
Post 161, however, had other ideas.
Brian Ingraham lined a base hit past the third base bag that scored pinch-runner Remy Coderre with the winning run as Waterford edged Norwich, 5-4, in the first game of a key three-game series Tuesday night at Waterford High School.
“Both teams never quit,” Waterford manager Joe Mariani said. “It was a lot of fun. That’s why we’re here.”
Waterford (11-1) maintained a three-game lead over Tri-Town atop the Zone 6 standings, while Norwich fell to 6-5.
“We played hard and played well,” Norwich first-year manager Becker Bordeau said. “It didn’t work out for us in the end but we’ve got two more against them. It’s going to be a fun series. It’s just always fun playing Waterford. It’s always great competition and something you look forward to at the start of the year.”
Norwich built a 2-0 lead when lead-off hitter Chris Tonucci scored on a pair of wild pitches in the first and third innings. Tonucci led off the first with a walk and singled to open the third. He reached third base both times on ground outs from Reischerl and Ethan Heinsz.
“We took some really good at bats, working counts, and working for the next guy,” Bordeau said. “We always talk about working for the next guy up.”
Meanwhile, Reischerl was blanking Waterford through the first four innings. Norwich’s crafty lefthander allowed just two hits, walked three and struck out six. Reischerl was relieved by Yeremi Garcia after the first two Waterford batters reached base in the top of the fifth.
“David pitched his butt off,” Bordeau said. “He’s really stepped up as our number three pitcher and he showed he may be even better than that against this Waterford team.”
Waterford starter Matt Shampine was also impressive. The righthander scattered four hits, walked three, and struck out seven over 6.1 innings. Shampine set Norwich down in order in both the fourth and fifth innings. Waterford then took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on Finn Eck’s bases-loaded two-run single and a throwing error.
Norwich, however, rallied in the top of the seventh.
With one out Tonucci was hit by a pitch, stole second and reached third on a passed ball. After Reischerl drew a walk and stole second, Heinsz’s RBI groundout to second tied things at 3. Reischerl then scored on a passed ball and Norwich had a 4-3 lead.
Eck started Waterford’s winning rally by drawing a lead-off walk against Norwich reliever Brayden Canny. Eck raced to third when Martin Light bounced a single into left field.
Eck scored on a wild pitch to tie it and Ingraham ended things by lining a walk-off hit past a diving attempt from third baseman Derek Macy.
Luca Muscarella went 2-for-3 with a double and run scored for Waterford, while Tonucci, Reischerl, Heinz, and Derrel Mitchell had one hit apiece for Norwich.
“Our pitching and defense have been really good,” said Mariani, who has guided Waterford to three straight Zone 6 championships and a state runner-up finish in 2022. “So that’s what’s been carrying us. And we’ve got timely hits, like today there at the end. I guess that’s the recipe, right? Good pitching, good defense, and timely hitting.”
Heinsz’s return gives Norwich a lift
One of the bright spots for Norwich this summer has been Ethan Heinsz’s return to the baseball diamond.
Heinsz, who earned All-ECC honorable mention honors for Norwich Free Academy after his junior season, got hurt late during his senior year in the spring of 2023. He had knee surgery (PCL) last September.
“The recovery was a difficult one,” Heinsz said.
During post-surgery physical therapy, Heinsz hit the gym, worked out, and dropped a ton of weight. He joined the Norwich Legion baseball team for the first time this summer with hopes of keeping his baseball dream’s alive in college.
“It’s a blessing to be able to be back out here,” Heinsz said. “I was hoping to get back, get in the best shape I can be, and have some coaches look out there for me.”
Heinsz plays first base and brings a sweet left-handed swing to the number three spot in Norwich’s batting order.
“We’ve got a great group of young guys and I’m happy to support them,” Heinsz said. “They’re willing to come out here and practice every day and give it their all. It’s great to see us put up a fight against a team (Waterford) that’s in first place.”
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