By Mike Madera
Elm City Sports Writer

Milford coach Cliff Bugyi found himself in unusual circumstances Sunday night in the Northeast Regionals. Knowing his Post 196 squad was already in the championship game, regardless of a win or loss against Concord, New Hampshire Post 21, Bugyi’s team answered the call.

Faced with the reality a win over Post 21 guaranteed a team would have to beat Milford twice to take home the Regional title, Milford dismantled Concord 12-1 in a game stopped after seven innings due to the mercy rule in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Read the full story

There has been quite a battle raging between the Orange, Branford, Milford and East Haven American Legion baseball teams for the top spot in Zone II.

Nick Fusco led Orange to a state tournament-qualifying 2-0 victory over Stratford on Wednesday night to improve Post 127's record to 14-3. Branford is right behind at 14-4 while Milford and East Haven both were at 13-5 entering Thursday's games.

Milford's Cody Hadden fired a complete-game one-hitter with 10 strikeouts to lead Post 196 past Hamden on Tuesday night.

In another recent game, Orange ace Mike Concato shut down North Haven Post 76 and East Haven closed in on a tournament berth with a 7-2 win over West Haven.

For more American Legion Zone II coverage, visit ctbulletin.com/sports and ctpostchronicle.com/sports and follow us at twitter.com/ElmCitySports

By Mike Madera
Elm City Sports Writer

ROCKY HILL — Rocky Hill pitcher Megan Ruonavaara entered Friday afternoon’s quarterfinal match against Jonathan Law with a reputation of throwing the ball by opposing teams. Ruonavaara proved she is more than just a pitcher.

Driving in all three runs with a double in the first and a single in the fifth, Ruonavaara led her team to a 3-2 CIAC Class M quarterfinal victory over Law at Rocky Hill.

Ruonavaara did not fool Law from the pitching circle, allowing seven hits and striking out four, but Law could not get a clutch hit in key situations.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Both the West Haven and Notre Dame-West Haven hockey teams posted victories on Wednesday. The Westies defeated Milford 9-2 on the strength of three goals by Mike Troiano (click here for the story). The Green Knights, ranked No. 3 in the New Haven Register Top 10 Poll, cruised past ninth-ranked East Haven 5-0 (click here for the story).

Despite the loss to West Haven, Milford (a Division II team) is enjoying a bounce-back year and is closing in on a playoff berth. Click here for a story recapping the first half of Milford's season.