Woodstock Academy baseball coach Brian Murphy was thinking a little about a storybook ending.
The Centaurs had just seen Plainfield tie the game in the top of the inning and with one out, Tommy Li had singled.
Murphy decided his senior deserved the opportunity, especially since it was Senior Day. He signaled junior Doug Newton to sacrifice Li to second.
“(Eric Preston) is a competitor and I wanted him to have the chance to win the game,” Murphy said. “I thought a little bit about (former New York Yankee great Derek) Jeter’s last at-bat and it was probably Eric’s last at-bat on this field. Hopefully, it’s a moment he takes with him.”
Preston hit a hard bouncer that eluded Plainfield third baseman Bryce Carchidi and slipped past shortstop Dalton Smith into the outfield. Murphy was sending Li all the way and he crossed the plate to give the Centaurs the 5-4 walk-off victory over the Panthers Saturday.
Preston was confident that he could get the job done but also remembered that he hadn’t hit the ball all that well prior to the game-winning base hit.
He popped out in his first attempt and drove in a run with a ground out in his second before he was hit in the foot.
“I just trusted myself,” Preston said. “It was a curveball. I didn’t want to get down in the count so if it was in the zone, I was swinging. It worked out. Once it got by the shortstop, I knew Tommy was scoring.”
It will be long remembered by the senior catcher.
“It’s a huge thing on Senior Day especially against Plainfield whom I have played against since middle school; always a rival, always close games. It was good to get this win,” Preston said.
The Centaurs opened a 3-0 lead over the Panthers (7-11) in the third inning.
Senior Matt Moffitt was hit by a pitch, Li walked and Newton attempted a bunt that was popped up, but fell just out of the reach of Plainfield catcher Cole LaFleche for a single.
Preston knocked in the first run with the ground out, Luke Mathewson followed with an RBI single and Nathan John drove in the third run with a sacrifice fly.
The Centaurs made it 4-0 in the fourth when Moffitt singled, stole second, went to third on an error and scored on another error.
The Panthers tied the game up with two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh off Mathewson.
The right hander (6-3) had cruised to that point with a 1-hit, 8-strikeout performance.
Murphy said the Centaurs (10-9) didn’t exactly make it easy.
“I’m proud of the kids. We’ve lost our share of 1-run games this year and these kids keep battling and coming back. We push them as coaches and they are getting mentally tough. These are the type of games they have to get used to winning. Tip your cap to Plainfield; A great team, never gave up, but (Saturday) was our day,” the Woodstock Academy coach said.
So was May 15. Preston pitched and hit the Centaurs to a 2-1 win over Lyman Memorial.
Preston allowed just two hits and struck out six with only one walk.
He set down the final 11 Bulldog hitters in order.
Preston allowed a second inning, one-out single to losing pitcher Zach Bazzano, but he was stranded at second base when Preston struck out the next two hitters looking.
Spencer Merritt had the only other hit for Lyman Memorial, a two-out single in the third inning. The only run Preston allowed was unearned.
Pat Quealy reached on an error in the top of the fourth. He advanced on a passed ball, went to third on a fly out and scored on a second infield error.
But Preston received little in the way of support early.
The Centaurs put runners on first and second in the first inning and failed to score.
Brendan Hill singled in the second and was picked off of first.
And the topper, the Centaurs loaded the bases in the third inning on walks with one out.
They failed to score.
“(Woodstock Academy athletic director Sean Saucier) was down the left field line and I made a comment to him, asking him for the number of the witch doctor he goes to. You kind of say after that, ‘Here we go again.’” Murphy said.
Fortunately, Woodstock Academy broke through in the fifth inning.
Li reached with a two-out fielder’s choice.
Jacob Hernandez drew a walk and that brought up Preston.
“After being walked twice, which kind of sucked, I got a pitch to hit and I drove it,” Preston said. “Once I saw (Lyman rightfielder Zach Crawford) turn, I knew I was going two.”
The ball soared over Crawford’s head, scoring both Li and Hernandez and giving Preston a two-run double and the runs he needed to win.
The Centaurs weren’t so lucky May 16.
Woodstock Academy built a three-run lead early but that’s how many it trailed by at the end as Bacon Academy rallied for an 8-5 win.
The Centaurs tied the game in the bottom of the second on a double by John, a Jonathan Smith single and a Luis Miranda RBI fielder’s choice.
Woodstock Academy took the lead in the bottom of the third when Pete Spada doubled, went to third on a single by Li and, two outs later, scored on a Mathewson single.
The Centaurs made it 4-1 in the fourth when Smith (hit by a pitch) and Miranda (single) scored on sacrifice flies by Spada and Brendan Hill.
But Bacon Academy scored four times in the top of the sixth to go up by a run.
The Centaurs tied it when Smith and scored on an error.
The Bobcats put the win away with three more in the seventh.
Mathewson, Smith and Miranda all had two hits in the loss.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
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Monday: Memorial Day - No school.
Woodstock public schools
Tuesday: Mini pancakes, sausages, hash browns, fruit. Wednesday: Chicken tenders, carrots, fruit. Thursday: Cheese nachos, black beans, fruit. Friday: Greek pizza, fruit.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, Rice Crispy treats. Wednesday - Breakfast for Lunch: Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, hash browns, strawberries. Thursday: Fiesta tacos, Spanish rice, corn. Friday: Stuffed-crust pizza or mozzarella sticks.
Putnam High
Tuesday: Crispy chicken sandwiches or bacon cheeseburgers. Wednesday: Orange chicken bowls or Philly steak panini. Thursday: Nachos Grande or turkey Cobb salad. Friday: Big Daddy Pizza or fish and chips.
Pomfret Community
Tuesday: Cheeseburgers, green-bean salad, fruits. Wednesday - Brunch for Lunch: French toast sticks, egg patties or sausages, fruit. Thursday: Orange chicken, broccoli and carrots, fortune cookies, fruits. Friday: Chef's choice.
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Wed. May 22
Open House
PUTNAM --- Day Kimball Hospital’s Burdick Family Birthing Center will hold an open house for parents-to-be and those who are family planning from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Fields Conference Rooms at Day Kimball Hospital. For info and to register, call 860- 928-6541, ext. 2247.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present, in its Art @ the Library series, “Thompson Public Schools Spring Art Show” through May 30. 860-923-9779.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Northeastern CT Art Guild will present a "Members Art Exhibit at the Vanilla Bean" during the month of May. Exhibit is free and open during restaurant hours.
Photo Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Birds of Connecticut Photography Exhibit” through the end of July at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Thur. May 23
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Trail Wood Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. at the Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Free for CAS members; $5 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.
Sat. May 25
Nature Program
POMFRET CENTER --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Boston Hollow Bird Watch” at 8 a.m. in Ashford. $7 for CAS members; $12 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.
Polish Supper
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam will hold a Polish Supper in memory of Shannon L. Labonte from 5 to 7 p.m. Takeout available. $12 for adults; $5 for kids 12 and younger. 860-428-4640.
Sun. May 26
Healing Service
BROOKLYN --- A Christian Healing Service, formerly held at St. Philip’s Church in Putnam, will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Rt. 6. 860-774-9352. All welcome.
Mon. May 27
Memorial Day Parade
EASTFORD --- Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Eastford Elementary School. Then a Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at the Veteran's Memorial. Preceding the parade, Memorial Day services will take place at the General Lyon Cemetery at 8:30 a.m. and the Grove Cemetery at 9. In the event of rain, the parade will be cancelled and the Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the school. All welcome.
Memorial Day Parade
PUTNAM --- The Memorial Day observance will start with the parade stepping off at 10 a.m. from Grove Street and will conclude with a memorial program at Rotary Park. In case of inclement weather, notification will be on WINY 1350 AM. To accommodate older and disabled veterans, who wish to be in the parade, transportation will be available by calling parade Chairman Buster Corey at 860-617-8232.
Memorial Day Parade
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from the Abington Congregational Church, goes north on Rt. 97 and then turns to end up at the Abington Cemetery for an observance.
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.
Thur. May 30
Nature Program
POMFRET CENTER --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Bull Hill Bird Walk II” at 8 a.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $7 for CAS members; $12 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Trivia Challenge
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club fund-raiser Trivia Challenge will be at 7 p.m. at Crossings Restaurant. The challenge benefits Friends of Library.
Annual Meeting
STORRS --- The Last Green Valley’s Annual Meeting will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. (optional pre-meeting activities begin at 3:30) at the UConn Alumni Center. Dinner, annual meeting and more. $25. For info and to RSVP (by May 22), call: 860-774-3300. (public welcome but only members may vote).
Fri. May 31
Golf Tournament
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club Ronald P. Coderre Golf Tournament will be held at the Connecticut National Golf Club.
Sat. June 1
Books, Crafts
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Lions Club Craft Fair and Book Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Woodstock Fairgrounds. Benefits Lions’ community service activities, including vision screenings and assistance for vision problems.
Greek Festival
DANIELSON --- A Greek Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 1 and from noon to 6 p.m. June 2 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Water Street. Free admission, all welcome.
Trails Day
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust will hold a spring outdoors/CT Trail Days hike from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Bull Hill Forest.
Breakfast
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus 2087 on Riverside Drive will hold a made-to-order breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. $8. 860-923-2967.
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open House will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the camp on Taft Pond Road. A parent panel will be held from 1:30 to 2 p.m. www.4hcampct.org
Hike
DANIELSON --- The Last Green Valley will present an Old Furnace State Park Hike from 9 a.m. to noon Old Furnace State Park on S. Frontage Street. 3 miles. Rain cancels and reservations required. Moderate to difficult. Register/ info: 860-774-3300.
Walk/Talk
CHAPLIN --- The Last Green Valley will present “Mobility Challenged Walk/Talk: from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the intersection of Chewink Rd. & Lynch Rd. Chaplin. Wheelchairs and strollers welcome. No restroom facilities available. Registration appreciated. Rain cancels. 860-774-3300.
Sun. June 2
Quinebaug River Paddle
PUTNAM --- The Last Green Valley will present a Quinebaug River Paddle from 9 a.m. to noon starting from the Douglas M. Cutler Canoe & Kayak Launch off Kennedy Drive. 5.5-miles downstream to the take-out location on Rt. 101 in Pomfret. Paddlers must have transportation from the take-out location. Registration required. Kayak or canoe and PFD required. Rain cancels. Register/info: 860-774-3300.
Concert
CHEPACHET --- The Music at the Meeting House series at Chepachet Baptist Church on Rt. 44 will present a musical celebration of Herman Melville’s 200th birthday, “Melville and the Great White Whale,” at 2:30 p.m. A free will offering will be taken. Refreshments follow.
Fri. June 7
First Fridays
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association’s First Fridays will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam. This month’s theme is “American Music.”
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Bird Walk/Breeding Bird Survey” at 7 a.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Sat. June 8
Fund-raiser Festival
PUTNAM --- The 13th Annual Particle Accelerator Music Festival will be held from noon to 11 p.m. in Rotary Park. This free, family-friendly event features around 20 local bands as well as art demos, children’s activities and information from local nonprofit providers on mental health and depression resources. The festival raises awareness and funding for suicide and depression services for United Services, Inc.
Sun. June 9
Paddle for a Cure
PUTNAM --- The 9th Annual Paddle for a Cure, which benefits the Day Kimball Hospital Cancer Center, will begin at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park, Brooklyn. Paddle for a Cure is a kayaking event founded and organized by northeastern Connecticut native Lance Collins, an avid kayaker who has lost several family members to cancer. For info and to obtain a pledge form, call 860-928-7141.
Wed. June 12
Luncheon
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Senior Citizens will host a program at the Killingly Historical and Genealogical Society building. It begins with a meal Deb’s Place on Main Street, Danielson, at 11:30, and the program follows at 12:45 at the historical society building (three steps --- no handicapped-access.) $8 per person. Caravan possible. All welcome. Info/reservation by June 8: 860-538-8868.
Fri. June 14
‘The Savannah Sipping Society’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Savannah Sipping Society” through June 23. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a Father’s Day Family treasure Hunt from 1 to 4 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Fee per family: $10 for CAS; $20 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
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Women's health
services expanded
PUTNAM — Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) is now offering an integrated women’s health services program for improving access to cancer screenings and combating heart disease – the Connecticut Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (CBCCEDP) and the Connecticut Well Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation Program (WISEWOMAN).*
“We are so fortunate to be able to offer financial support to women in our community through these programs,” said John O’Keefe, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Services for Day Kimball Healthcare. “These programs will allow eligible women to access comprehensive screening programs through Day Kimball Healthcare to help them maintain better health by making healthier choices.”
CBCCEDP covered services include physical examinations, mammograms, pelvic examinations, pap testing, biopsies, consultations and follow-up office visits. Screenings are designed to help 21-64 year old women reduce their risk for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
DKH has also implemented and is now offering WISEWOMAN, a program that focuses on screening lower- income, uninsured, or under-insured women ages 30-64 for heart disease and provides lifestyle counseling and interventions to navigate women to a healthier life.
Through the WISEWOMAN program, eligible women will be offered free blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screening; health coaching; diabetes education; nutritional consults; smoking cessation; consultations and follow- up office visits.
For eligibility requirements and questions call (860) 963-3848.
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