BRISTOL — The Bristol Central Rams baseball and softball teams started the season off hot as they both remained undefeated through the first 12 games. The softball team finished the regular season 19-1 en route to a 23-3 total season, which set the school record for most wins in a season.
The baseball team finished their season with a second round appearance in the Class L State Tournament. As both teams transition and shift their focus to the upcoming season, the goals are to return to the level of success that they’ve had over recent years.
Despite the Bristol Central Rams baseball team starting the season with a perfect 12-0 record, the second half of the season became a struggle for the team as the injury bug sidelined some of the team’s best players like former Ram and current UConn pitcher Frank Spirito IV.
The Rams limped into the state tournament before falling to Notre Dame - West Haven 9-0. Head coach Bunty Ray said the baseball season has been a tough start with the weather and not being able to play preseason games consistently.
He said the team has only played a couple scrimmages and are not sharp just yet.
“Coming in we return some pitching experience, however we have to be able to play defense behind them,” Ray said. “We have three all conference players returning that I hope can stay at that level. [Joe] Gratta is a great center fielder. He was hurt and missed games last year and that hurt us in that slump we had.”
The Rams three All-CCC players returning from last season are Gratta, Aiden Lopez and Nate Pirog. However, the team success may be dictated on how the new players adjust and play in key roles this season.
Ray said junior Mason Allan is a talented player who will be taking over for his brother, Mike, who was the fourth All-CCC Ram last year, at shortstop. He also added junior Rocco Spirito has a big arm behind the plate and is improving as the season looms closer.
Ray also expects Anthony Santilli, Oscar Kuzniar and Mike McMahon, who have all been starters, to produce efficiently and Pirog, Lopez and Ty Davis to pitch the majority of the innings this season.
“We just have to develop some other arms as the season can wear you down,” Ray said. “We want to be playing our best heading into the postseason.”
The Rams will have a tougher challenge this season as Bristol Central has been bumped up to Class LL this season. The season begins for the Rams on Tuesday at home against Vinal Tech at 3:45 p.m.
For the Bristol Central Rams softball team, the Rams are coming off a memorable season and an historic run from the Class of 2023. The senior class from last season not only competed for state and conference championships, but also won three straight Central Connecticut South Division titles.
Individually, they racked up multiple All-State and All-CCC honors as well.
This season, the Rams are replacing almost their entire varsity lineup, but despite the changing faces the mindset going into the season is the same as always. Bristol Central coach Monica Hayes said the mindset is simply to bring a positive attitude and maximum effort.
“The belief that we can be successful is always evident for the Rams softball team,” Hayes said. “The Class of 2023 left an indelible mark on this program, but the most rewarding part is watching veterans model that behavior for underclassmen. There are many versatile athletes on this team that can play multiple positions, which is a positive, and creates lots of excitement for the season. It will be a collective effort of all the girls to produce at the varsity level and we are interested in seeing the growth this team can accomplish in 2024.”
One of the main strengths of the Rams over the last handful of seasons has been the pitching staff. With two-time All-State pitcher Sophia Torreso now dialing it up at George Washington University, Sierra Messier and Haley Powers will get their time to shine in the circle.
Hayes said while the pitching was a strength of there's over the last few seasons, those pitchers of the past had multiple all-conference and all-state players playing around them. She said pitching is still the most important position on any softball team and this season is no different, but the team will also need to play sound defense behind them.
“I expect this team to continue upholding the values of this program with pride and am excited to see so many freshmen and sophomores learning from upperclassmen already,” Hayes said. “This has been a recipe for success for many years at BC Softball and we will continue to promote that within our program.”
She said she expects the team to compete, work together to find their identity this season, and learn the grind of a varsity schedule.
“With so many new faces, it will be exciting and fun to watch the growth in 2024,” Hayes said.
The season begins for the Rams Monday against Berlin at home at 3:45 p.m.
