Shrewsbury ousted by Waterford, Conn., on final day of American Legion Northeast Regional
Advertisement
A seventh-inning double from Doherty rising senior Tommy Kursonis started a two-run rally for Post 397, but Waterford closed the deal.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
As tournament host, Post 397 was guaranteed entry, but earned its way there anyway by winning Pod 3 and reaching the state championship game. It lost its regional opener, but roared back with three consecutive wins to reach the final day.
Along the way, Brendan Parisi — the youngest player on the team, and who hardly saw varsity action at Saint John's in the spring —
Advertisement
Mercier, the team's ace, suffered an injury to his throwing elbow
'We came out and there were a ton of new guys on the team this year. We didn't know each other very well, so it was about getting that bond. It's easy to play with guys you're friends with,' said Mercier, who is committed to play baseball at UMass Amherst.
'I wanted to help however I could, even if it wasn't with my arm.'
For Vaccaro, the season is about much more than baseball. Post 397 players set aside rivalries, played hard for their teammates, and put the team above themselves all summer. Competition turned into camaraderie.
It's American Legion baseball at its best.
'Winning is important, but more than winning, I want them to learn life experiences,' said Vaccaro. 'I don't know if there are any major leaguers here — I hope there are — but in life, you have to compete. I pray they learn to do that and become whatever they want to become."
Greece (N.Y.) Post 468 defeated Waterford, 7-5, to advance to the American Legion World Series, scheduled for Aug. 14-19 in Shelby, N.C.
Shrewsbury Post 397 pitcher Jake Brodeur (left) confers with catcher Jackson Lucarelli before the start of an inning at Holy Cross.
EVAN WALSH
Shrewsbury Post 397's Gabe Terlato prepares to field a throw to second as a Waterford runner attempts a steal.
EVAN WALSH
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Shrewsbury's swimmers back sports village plans
Swimmers in Shropshire have backed plans to transform a sports village that was first built in 2005. The plans, submitted by Shropshire Council, include two new swimming pools at Shrewsbury Sports Village in Sundorne. The complex houses dry-sports facilities and changing rooms, while outside there are football pitches, multi-use netball and tennis courts and a floodlit cycle track. The proposal would see the addition of two new pools, including a 25m, eight-lane pool suitable for county championships, galas and general swimming. It would include seating for 250 spectators, with other facilities such as a new children's soft play area, multi-purpose studio, dance studio, and a 30-station spin cycle studio. Megan Frost, chair of the Shropshire Amateur Swimming Association, said the county had not had a competition pool for many years, meaning that meetings took place in Wolverhampton. "This proposed facility would mean we could bring our county competitions back home and be held within the county," she said. 'A sport for all' Anna Fletcher, the chair of Shrewsbury Amateur Swimming Club, has also backed the plans. "Our club is over 150 years old and supports over 100 swimmers who live throughout the town wards and local villages," she said. "This new facility will enable us to continue to ensure that swimming is a sport for all and not only for those who can afford to travel to train and compete at larger pools outside of the county. "Over the past few years, the club has seen a large uptake of young people coming into the sport of swimming and it is important that those swimmers are able to train and compete in a facility that is fit for purpose and within our home county." The development was discussed by Shrewsbury Town Council's planning committee on Tuesday. The application was not rejected but concerns were raised about the removal of parking spaces. Sport England has also asked to be consulted "as a matter of some urgency". Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Leisure centre wins £500,000 for solar panels Rising costs blamed for drop in pool temperatures Leisure centre upgrade plans to be discussed Related internet links Shropshire Council
Boston Globe
11-08-2025
- Boston Globe
Shrewsbury ousted by Waterford, Conn., on final day of American Legion Northeast Regional
Shrewsbury played from behind Sunday. A two-run single by Brayden Mercier, a Saint John's (Shrewsbury) alumnus, helped cut Waterford's lead to 4-3 in the third inning, but the momentum was short-lived. Martin Light launched a three-run homer in the top of the fourth as Waterford went up, 8-3. Advertisement A seventh-inning double from Doherty rising senior Tommy Kursonis started a two-run rally for Post 397, but Waterford closed the deal. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up As tournament host, Post 397 was guaranteed entry, but earned its way there anyway by winning Pod 3 and reaching the state championship game. It lost its regional opener, but roared back with three consecutive wins to reach the final day. Along the way, Brendan Parisi — the youngest player on the team, and who hardly saw varsity action at Saint John's in the spring — Advertisement Mercier, the team's ace, suffered an injury to his throwing elbow 'We came out and there were a ton of new guys on the team this year. We didn't know each other very well, so it was about getting that bond. It's easy to play with guys you're friends with,' said Mercier, who is committed to play baseball at UMass Amherst. 'I wanted to help however I could, even if it wasn't with my arm.' For Vaccaro, the season is about much more than baseball. Post 397 players set aside rivalries, played hard for their teammates, and put the team above themselves all summer. Competition turned into camaraderie. It's American Legion baseball at its best. 'Winning is important, but more than winning, I want them to learn life experiences,' said Vaccaro. 'I don't know if there are any major leaguers here — I hope there are — but in life, you have to compete. I pray they learn to do that and become whatever they want to become." Greece (N.Y.) Post 468 defeated Waterford, 7-5, to advance to the American Legion World Series, scheduled for Aug. 14-19 in Shelby, N.C. Shrewsbury Post 397 pitcher Jake Brodeur (left) confers with catcher Jackson Lucarelli before the start of an inning at Holy Cross. EVAN WALSH Shrewsbury Post 397's Gabe Terlato prepares to field a throw to second as a Waterford runner attempts a steal. EVAN WALSH
Boston Globe
09-08-2025
- Boston Globe
Shrewsbury Post 397 wins third straight to reach final day of the American Legion Northeast Regional Tournament
Rice was told to swing — and that's exactly what he did. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, Rice jumped on the first pitch he saw, pulling the ball down the third-base line for a walkoff single. It was the deciding factor in Shrewsbury's 3-2 win over St. Johnsbury (Vt.) in this elimination game at Fitton Field on Saturday. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Post 397 will face Waterford (Conn.) at 10 a.m. Sunday at Fitton Field. The winner will play Greece (N.Y.) for the Northeast title at 1 p.m. Advertisement The winner advances to the American Legion World Series, which will be played in Shelby, N.C., Aug. 14-19. 'The pitcher came in, and he was throwing a lot of first-pitch strike fastballs, so that's what I was looking for. He gave it to me low and in, and so I just kind of went with it. I was able to get it down the line for a hit,' Rice said. Shrewsbury took an early lead, 2-0, after a first-inning double by Rice and a single by Jackson Lucarelli. But St. Johnsbury drew even two innings later on Averill Parker's two-run double. Advertisement With the score tied, Shrewsbury pitcher Owen Mongeon held his nerve. Collected and aggressive on the mound, his coaches call him a 'bulldog.' 'Composure has always been a big thing for me. I'm not worried when stuff is happening around me. It happens — it's part of the game. The next pitch is always the most important one,' said Mongeon. 'He wants to win. He doesn't fear the moment,' said Vaccaro. Led by Mongeon's 6⅔ innings — and the help of Seamus Clancey, who entered as a reliever and got the final out — Post 397 remained steady, even as its offense stumbled through the middle innings. Shrewsbury, which lost its first contest in the double-elimination tournament,needs to win two games to qualify for the American Legion World Series. It would be Post 397's fourth appearance in the Series in nine seasons. Winners of three straight elimination games, Post 397 is ready for the challenge. 'We've prepared for this all year long,' said Vaccaro. 'We've prepared to be in this tournament. We knew we were in it, obviously, because we hosted it, but we earned the right to be in it anyway. … We worked hard through the state tournament to get ready, and we'll continue to do the same thing.' Added Mongeon: 'We all have faith in our teammates. We all believe we can get there. There's a rich history for Post 397, and we're trying to follow in those guys' footsteps. Really, all it takes is faith, belief, and energy.'
