By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – The roster for the Bristol Senior American Legion Baseball team has a good mixture of players and the ultimate goal is a Zone 1 championship by the completion of the regular season.

“I like the team,” said Bristol coach Jerry LaPenta of his squad. “There’s pretty good chemistry, a good group.”

There’s some firepower from the mound with the return of veterans like Roberto Cruz.

He’s a bulldog who doesn’t yield much in terms of earned runs, throws strikes, and has been one of the most successful pitchers for the program in recent memory.

Cruz is one of several 19 year old’s coming back to the fold for one more go of it.

Several of those players did not play a collegiate season this past spring but bring needed experience, talent and ability to the field.

Matt Beaucar will also be one of the featured arms on the roster this year, already throwing twice for Post 2.

Andrew Lozier (Avery Point, .253 batting average, four HR’s, 27 RBI) was an everyday player for the squad in Groton. He didn’t pitch collegiately but can for Post 2 while Dylan Woodsome (outfield) also can toss an inning or two.

Adam Caron (third base), Ryan Fradette (centerfield), Dillon Hudson (shortstop/second base), Tyler Martin (second base), Chris Osuch (catcher), and Tyler Stickels (infield/outfield) are a very experienced group.

Also in the mix are players that just came off their scholastic seasons including Bristol Central’s Bryan Capezzone (outfield/second base), and Bristol Eastern’s Elliot Norris (shortstop/second base) and Jayden Churchill (infield/pitcher).

Capezzone helped the Rams get to the state tournament once again while Norris and Churchill had quality seasons for the Lancers.

Norris batted .273 with 18 hits, eight RBI, along with eight stolen bases while Churchill was one of Eastern’s top players and leaders.

He batted .328, blasted out 22 hits – eight for extra-bases – added 12 walks, and scooped up 14 RBI.

Churchill was the team-leader in steals (nine), brings plenty of speed to the game and on the mound, he was 2-1 with an ERA just over 5.00 for the season.

Dual rostered players for Bristol include Michael Roalf (pitcher/shortstop), Ryan Maglio (pitcher/infield), Connor Cyr (IF/OF), and Rio Fernandez (catcher).

Counting on some pitching from Canzellarini

LaPenta has high hopes for pitcher Alex Canzellarini, another veteran arm for the Bristol roster.

His broke his finger before the start of the Bristol Eastern baseball campaign in 2021 and never was able to get into the flow scholastically.

Last summer, Post 2 saw bits and pieces of what he could bring to the squad over several relief appearances. 

“I was really happy the way Alex pitched” said LaPenta of Canzellarini’s stint against West Hartford on Monday. “He threw really well. He’s got stuff [to throw]. He just needs to get confidence between his ears. If we can get him to throw, because his ball moves crazy, with his fastball. He’s got a two-seamer [which will help the team].”