In 2019, the Suffield 12U All Star team won the District 8 Championship. This year, during Suffield Little League Opening Day, each of these players was welcomed back and appreciated on the field, as most of them were on their way to graduating at the end of the school year. This year’s high school team included eight players from that team, and every player on the high school team spent time in Suffield Little League. It is where so many core memories were formed.
Suffield Baseball celebrating their semi-final win at Muzzy Park against Stonington. This 5-4 walk -off, extra inning victory sent Suffield to the Class M Championship. Bottom row (left to right): Aidan Ragion, Logan Bonazelli, Logan Baril, James Nikolis, Connor Mandriola, Manager Evan Waite, Joe Blair, Caleb Kleinman. Top row (left to right): Coach Kevin Betts, Will Winiarski, Colin Faber, Carson Zolciak, Avery Fry, Ryan Organ, Dylan Holmes, Vinny Mandriola, Kierman Kaletza, Jacob Gagnon, Dashel O’Dell, Noah Schermerhorn, Coach Bill Gaynor, Coach Matt Souviguey.
The Suffield High School Baseball Team had some incredible accomplishments this year. They went 18-2 in the regular season, winning the NCCC Conference League Title and the NCCC Conference Tournament, beating Rockville 6-5. This propelled them into the Class M State Tournament where they were the #1 seed out of a field of 32 teams. They went on to collect wins against Vinal Tech in the 1st round, New Fairfield (Extra Innings) in the 2nd round, Ansonia in the Quarterfinal, and Stonington (Extra innings) in the Semifinal to put them into the State Championship Game against St. Joseph High School. They would end their season as the Class M State Runner Up. This was Suffield High’s most successful team in its history; it was the first time Boys Baseball ever made it to a state championship game.
They had four All Conference players, Dashel O’Dell, Noah Schermerhorn, Jacob Gagnon and Connor Mandirola, and two All State players, Dashel O’Dell and Noah Schermerhorn.
During the season, each player had a walk-up song that was played as they approached their at bat. Suffield’s lead-off hitter, Will Winiarski’s walk up song was “Hey Baby (Uhh, ahh)” by Anton, it became a sing along for the fans. It was a catchy tune that you could hear the fans sing during some of Suffield’s biggest rallies. It has already become the rallying cry for the Suffield Little League All Star teams, as they begin their pool play. This run has created a new passion in our little ones!
Before the state semifinal game, the players received a letter from Colin Faber’s and Noah Schermerhorn’s grandmothers. The letter represents what we were all feeling. They wrote, “A huge thank you to all of you for being you!!! This year has been such an awesome example of who you all are… Your abilities, your effort, your determination…all show the love for the game…. No matter where this journey ends, know that you are the best in our eyes.”
Boys, on behalf of the grandparents, the parents, the fans (young and old), and all of your former coaches…We thank you! 1…2…3…FAMILY!!!