The Bristol Knights started the season off with 2 tough losses at the hands of the Indians and the Angels. In the game vs the Indians, Bristol fought back to tie the game at 3, to then have the Indians score the go ahead run on a bunt play that was handled poorly. In the top of the 7th, the tying run was at second base with 2 outs, and on a hit to centerfield, the tying run was thrown out at the plate to end the game. In the East Hartford game… the Knights had a 3-1 lead midway through, but East Hartford battled back in later innings and took the lead in the top of the 7th, which the Knight couldn’t match. So, at 0-2 to start the year, the Knights then had a matchup at defending champion Glastonbury Pirates, on a day with storms all across the state. With the game at a 0-0 score  after  2 1/2 innings of gameplay, the game was called due to the late arriving rain. The story of the 2 early losses were defensive mistakes (lots of rust to shake off), and no timely hitting (lots of guys left on base). Out pitching has actually been very good, with great performances turned in by Rick Blais, Sean Lopata, and Luke Palma.

On to game 3, a 6pm start at Bristol Eastern. We were following a Bristol Eastern/Central JV rivalry game that went to extra innings, so we moved the game up to the varsity field at Eastern to start on time. It was a very well pitched game on both counts. Rick Blais kept the Expos guessing and off balance for 5 innings before Sean Lopata came in to close the game out. The hitting stars of the game were Walter Klimczak, Rick Barrett, Mike Scanlon, and in his first at bat since last year, Shawn Fergusson hitting a triple and scoring. It was a well played game in the field (mostly). In the end the Knights got the win, 6-3, with Blais getting the W and Lopata the save.

Next up for the Knights is a Friday doubleheader at historic Muzzy Field in Bristol. Muzzy Field is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the town is in the process of fixing up some of the areas in and outside of the stadium. In the first game, the Knights will be facing the sort-of expansion Orioles (made from remnants of the Tri-County Twins), followed by the 2012 Champs, Elmer’s. Both should be good games. The Knights will be throwing a combination of Sean Lopata, Luke Palma, Rick Barrett, Earl Oakes, and possibly others as they try to even their record.