Orange Legion Baseball Wraps Up With a Win

The weather verged on downright chilly at Branford High School Thursday for the last game in a series that had already seen the Zone 2 championship shift from Orange to Branford. And darkness ended the game early before the seventh inning. But Orange came out on top for the last game and ended the 2012 season with an 8-4 win.

It wasn't enough to regain the Zone 2 championship, but it was enough to guarantee Orange only has to play one single elimination play-in game in the upcoming Senior State Tournament. All in all, it's the best possible outcome after this week's two previous losses to Branford.

Niel Dammando led Orange's charge at the plate, going 3-3. But the game was a great demonstration of the skills coach Bob Milto has bred into his players over the season. The top of the fourth inning served as a showcase of the team's packed lineup of effective hitters, with Dammando, center fielder Grayson Amoroso and second baseman Nick Baviello each bringing in a run. And starter Dane Simone's pitching held back much of Branford had to offer.

Rather than reveling in the past, Mirto is looking forward to the upcoming state tournament.

"We're feeling pretty good going into the tournament," he said. "Wish we'd won the zone, but you know..."

He says hopes are high Orange can pull it off this weekend. Mirto's boys will play an as-yet-unidentified opponent this weekend, and they're putting their star pitcher on the mound. 

"We only have one game to win and we have Michael Concato, so that speaks well for our chances," he said. Orange finishes the season with a 19-5 record, a technical tie with Branford. But the Hornets will still claim the Zone 2 championship. The 2012 Senior State Tournament begins Saturday, July 21 and runs through August 3.