SHORELINE CONFERENCE BASEBALL: Standings, analysis

Coginchaug walks off with a 3-2 victory against Old Saybrook on April 15.

On the first day of the season, it became clear the Shoreline Conference would have a shake-up year.

Portland beat East Hampton for the first time in at least four years, Jake DeCarli of Haddam-Killingworth pitched a three-hit shutout while striking out 15 and Valley Regional came back by scoring eight in the top of the seventh to defeat Coginchaug.

And that was just the first day. Here are some quick hits from the last few weeks of SLC baseball:

• Portland has been the surprise of the season thus far with victories over East Hampton, Old Saybrook, H-K, Westbrook and Old Lyme. The Highlanders sit atop the Small Division standings.
• The top two teams in the conference's Large Division (H-K and Cromwell) faced off on April 5. The Cougars nabbed a 6-2 victory against the defending state champion Panthers. It's the only loss so far for Cromwell (6-1).
• On April 16, H-K sophomore Brian Moskey threw a perfect game against Hyde Leadership, striking out nine on 72 pitches. The Cougars won 20-0.
• Two of Coginchaug's wins have come in walk-off fashion, a 3-2, 10-inning win over Old Saybrook on Monday and a 1-0 win over Hale Ray a week earlier.
• In summation, the Shoreline Conference is up for grabs, and there are some big games in the near future. On Friday, Coginchaug plays at Haddam-Killingworth, East Hampton at Cromwell, Morgan at Hale-Ray, Valley Regional at Old Lyme and North Branford at Portland.

Shoreline Conference baseball standings

Team Conf. Overall

Large Division

1. Cromwell 4-1 6-1

2. H-K 4-2 5-2

   North Branford 4-2 5-2

3. Coginchaug 4-3 5-3

4. Morgan 3-3 4-3

5. Valley Regional 2-4 2-4

6. Old Saybrook 2-5 2-5

Small Division

1. Portland 5-1 5-2

2. Old Lyme 4-2 5-2 (Head-to-head)

3. East Hampton 4-2 4-3

4. Hale-Ray 2-3 2-4

5. Westbrook 0-6 0-6

6. Hyde 0-7 0-6

High school sports calendar

INFOGRAPHIC: State final appearances (baseball), Middlesex County

BASEBALL: Area capsules

COGINCHAUG
Coach: Ted Lombardo (14th year)
Last year’s record: 10-11
Key returners: Mike McShane, Sr., P/OF; Jack Granger, Jr., SS; Christian Adams, Jr., CF; Jeff Grumm, Sr., 2B/P; Evan Rand, Sr., P/OF; Steve Thody, Sr., P/1B; Ben Kelly, Sr., P; Charlie Anderson, Jr., C; Will Neri, Sr., DH/OF
Outlook: The Blue Devils could be this year’s dark horse to win the Shoreline, returning good, experienced pitching and most starters. Expect their record to end up above .500.

CROMWELL
Coach: Lewis Pappariella (6th year)
Last year’s record: 23-5; Class S state champion
Key returners: Alex Ramirez, Sr., P/OF; Kevin Radziewicz, Jr., C; Christian Budzik, Sr., INF/P; Douglas Davenport, Sr., P/OF; Kevin Francis, Sr., OF/P; Logan Lessard, Jr., P/1B; Jake Regula, Jr., INF/P
Outlook: ERA, all the way. The defending Class S champion returns the deepest pitching corps in the conference, and also carries a bunch of players who advanced to the state’s American Legion championship game with RCP this summer. These Panthers know how to win, and enter this season as the Shoreline favorite.

EAST HAMPTON
Coach: Scott Wosleger (7th year)
Last year’s record: 17-6
Key returners: Nate Heroux, Sr., 2B; Marvin Gorgas, Jr., P/SS
Outlook: The Bellringer program is 40-10 over the last two years, and is always a Shoreline threat. Behind the pitching of Gorgas, a return to a third straight SLC title game (they won in 2011, lost in 2012) is not a bad bet.

HADDAM-KILLINGWORTH
Coach: Mark Brookes (37th year)
Last year’s record: 18-8; Class M finalist
Key returners: Rob Annino, Sr., OF/P; Joe Aitken, Jr., 3B; Brian Moskey, So., 2B/P; Joe Silvia, Sr., C; Griffin Bremer, Jr., OF/P; Nick Landell, Sr., SS; Jake DeCarli, Sr., P/1B; Cody Harlow, Sr., DH/1B; Liam Gallagher, Jr., P
Outlook: The Cougars lost five starters from last season’s Class M runner-up team. DeCarli leads four returning pitchers who look to be the strength in this rebuilding year for H-K.

HALE-RAY
Coach: Rich Gable
Last year’s record: 11-10
Key returners: Tom Murphy, Sr., P/1B; Hunter Humble, Sr., SS/P; Jon Comer, Jr., 2B/SS; Jason Traceski, Jr., CF; Jake Linares, So., C
Outlook: Some new faces will dot the starting lineup, which could make things difficult in what looks to be a competitive Shoreline Conference. Keep an eye on Murphy, who threw a no-hitter last year against Old Saybrook.

MIDDLETOWN
Coach: Jason Serra (6th year)
Last year’s record: 7-13 (3-11 in conference)
Key returners: Malcolm Alleyne, Jr., P/SS; Max Barreuther, Sr., 1B; Luke Sorenson, Jr. P/OF; Jose Ramos, Sr., OF/P;  Billy Waldner Sr., C; Shane Wickham, Sr., P
Outlook: The Blue Dragons are hoping to build on the success they found in the last few games last season. Sorenson and Alleyne lead a high-potential pitching staff, but the infield will need to find some new talent.

PORTLAND
Coach: Richard Borg (3rd year)
Last year’s record: (6-14)
Key returners: Matt Ryan, Sr., SS/P; Nick Stokke, Sr., 1B; Jason Staub, Jr., P/OF; Hayden Manning, Jr., P/OF; Nick Adamsons, Jr., INF/P
Outlook: The entire pitching staff is back for the Highlanders, and so are six position starters. Chances of improving on last year’s record? High.

VALLEY REGIONAL
Coach: Gary Ballestrini (2nd year)
Last year’s record: 3-17
Key returners: Dan Thayer, Sr., C; Kevin Penkala, Sr., SS; Mike Miezejeski, Sr., OF; Dave Bradbury, So., 3B/P; Tristan Suedmeier, So., P/3B
Outlook: The Warriors are young, but have a strong sophomore class that include top pitchers Bradbury and Suedmeier.

VINAL TECH
Coach: Tyler LaMontagne (1st year)
Last year’s record: 9-10
Key returners: James Annino, Sr., 1B/3B; Ryan Fazzino, Jr., OF/C; Sean Paradis, Jr., P/OF
Outlook: Things are looking up for the Hawks, who return good hitting in Fazzino (he batted .523 last year) and captain Annino. If the pitching is solid, Vinal Tech should return to the Class M state tourney.

XAVIER
Coach: Rich Magner
Last year’s record: 16-8
Key returners: Matt Albanese, Sr., OF/P; Ben Criscuolo, Sr., P; Jay Schaff, Sr., INF; Mike Purcell, Sr., 1B; Ellis Snyder, Sr., OF; Joe Violette, Sr., C; Justin Williams, Sr., INF
Outlook: The Falcons have a relatively young team, but return a good-looking offense that can hit with the best of the SCC. Look for the Falcons to contend for the Quinnipiac Division title.