The road to the first championship for Wethersfield baseball was not paved in gold.

There were a lot of twists, turns and bumps along the way. But in the end the turbulent ride made reaching their final destination even more rewarding.

“We’ve gotten so many congratulations,” said senior pitcher Tim Blaisdell, “The whole school really feels it. It’s been awesome.”

On June 8, a 16-4 victory over Windsor at Palmer Field in Middletown etched the program’s first title in stone.

For head coach Mark Bagdasarian the title was twelve years in the making and the Eagles championship pedigree was built during a yearlong journey that began following a second-round home loss to Watertown in the 2017 Class L tournament.

“Going into the season we knew we had a talented group of kids and I think from day one they thought they needed to be perfect and that they shouldn’t lose because of the talent that we have,” recalled Bagdasarian, “For good parts at the beginning of the year I felt pressure from the community, from parents. In baseball it’s not always the talent that you have, it’s the team that plays best and we took some lumps as we were trying to figure out this puzzle.”

Expectations were high because the Eagles had a loaded lineup with 11 seniors, including Blaisdell and returning all-state slugger Jimmy Sullivan.
But after winning the first four games of the season the Eagles stumbled, losing five of their next eight and finishing the regular season 13-7.

Following a loss to Newington late in the regular season, the Eagles needed a come-from-behind victory against a one-win Maloney team to secure a home game in the tournament. 

“It was our Senior Day and we were losing 2-0 in the 4th inning to Maloney and it got rained out. We came back the next day and we ended up winning 6-4,” recalled the veteran coach, “We were happy to get a first-round home game.”

Senior Tyler Fote recalled his coach’s unwavering message following the loss to Newington.

“After that game coach told us that you win some and you lose some but all that matters is that you win your last game. From that point on we bonded. Throughout the regular season we were just playing just to play. Sometimes it felt like we weren’t playing with each other but as soon the tournament started we were all in it to win it and the results showed.”

Wethersfield entered the Class L tourney as the #11-seed and opened with a 5-0 shutout of Stratford behind a dynamic pitching performance from Blaisdell, who tossed a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

Thanks to first and second round upsets on their side of the bracket, the Eagles would play two more home games at WHS. First was a dramatic walk-off win over Torrington followed by a 7-3 victory over New Fairfield in the quarterfinal round. 

“I think playing at home helped. Getting in our routine before the other team showed up gave us a sense of normalcy instead of getting out of school and getting on a bus and traveling halfway across the state,” stated Bagdasarian, who was assisted by coaches Jim Schiavone, Pat Dowd, and Conor Stanley.

“We wanted to get past the second round. It was something that we wanted to get off our backs and when we got to the third round we just kept playing better and better and it felt like it could happen,” added Blaisdell, “As we kept winning the tournament games we kept getting more confidence because the bats came together, the fielding came together, everything just started to come together. Our focus was better and we had each other’s backs.”

In the semifinals the Eagles traveled to Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford and eliminated Guilford 4-1 behind a superb pitching effort from senior Kyle Bukowski.

Following the triumph, the team arrived back at WHS and continued a new tradition they had started less than a month prior.

“We had a bus ticket hanging in the dugout and it had each of the rounds on it. As we kept winning we kept crossing them off. When we got home from the Dunkin Donuts game we came into the dugout and crossed it out and went crazy,” stated Blaisdell.

“We were all about that golden ticket. That gave us a lot of energy. It felt like we couldn’t lose after that, we felt unstoppable,” added Fote.

Marc Generis also accidentally created his own ritual. Before each tourney game the junior would overthrow Mark Bagdasarian Jr. in warmups. The first time was a mistake, but after the team won the errant throws became superstition.

“When we got to the Yard Goat he threw one over the road and in the title game he threw one into the woods,” a laughing Blaisdell recalled.

Whether it was meant to be or the rituals had worked, the Eagles had advanced to the championship game to play a Windsor team that had won 22 of 24 games. The Warriors had dealt the Eagles their worst loss of the season back in April, a 14-4 drubbing. They were also the #1-seed in Class L and had only allowed three runs in four tournament games leading up to the title tilt.

But all that changed when Sullivan and the boys stepped to the plate.

“We just did our thing. We were a little more aggressive than we were the first time against them,” said Sullivan, who cemented his place in championship lore with two homeruns and two triples, “That was definitely the best game of my high school career.”

“If anybody would have said before the game that we would score 16 runs I would have said ‘no way’,” added Bagdasarian, “I gathered the kids after the national anthem and told them that these guys gave us one pretty good and we own them one. We had an opportunity to do something really good. Everything just clicked, it became contagious.”

Wethersfield jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning and cruised to the 12-run victory behind Sullivan’s epic night and another solid outing on the mound from Blaisdell.

“We’ve been playing together since we were ten,” said Sullivan, who is off to play collegiately at the University of Virginia, “It’s very rewarding. Going into high school our goal was to win a state title. It had never been done here before so it was great to get it done our senior year.”

“Coach just kept telling us that one time our best game is going to happen and our best games seem to happen every playoff game,” added Blaisdell, who will pitch at the University of Hartford next spring, “We knew that we could never quit, like when we were down against Torrington we just knew to keep fighting. We just kept believing.”

Fote capped off his incredible five-game tourney with another deep shot in the championship game. All told, he cranked three homeruns during the tourney and hit for the cycle in the win over New Fairfield.

“I’d say that’s by far the best five-game stretch that I’ve had. All the credit goes out to my teammates, all my coaches, and my father that worked day and night with me in the cages. It was awesome to see it come up in the biggest games of my high school career,” said the senior shortstop.

Bagdasarian credited Fote and his balanced lineup for the turnaround in the tourney.

“Tyler is a very good player, he’s played a lot of baseball over the years and he had a huge tournament all together. It wasn’t like we were throwing balls out of the park all year, but in the tournament our power numbers came about. Tyler was a big part of that.”

“Our top four, Jimmy, Mark, Tyler, and Derek Tenney were huge for us all year. We knew that people knew Jimmy Sullivan, but I think it was really important that the other three had big tournaments. We thought they’d try and pitch around Jimmy but luckily they didn’t have the opportunity to do that because of those guys. They made pitching around Jimmy very, very difficult.”

Bagdasarian’s sons, Mark Jr. and Matthew, experienced the championship season with their father. Mark Jr. earned all-conference as a junior and Matthew played an important role as a sophomore.

“I don’t want to say that I feel bad for them having their dad as a coach but it’s a tough dynamic. I’m a little bit tougher on them because the expectations. They both grew this year and it was good because they understand about getting through adversity. It was extremely special to share it with them.”

Once the celebratory dust settled at Palmer field the Eagles took the short bus ride back to Wethersfield High School, arriving at nightfall. The team took out a flashlight before going into the dugout one final time to cross out the championship round on the bus ticket.

It was a moment and a season that the coach and his players will never forget.

“It was really rewarding for many reasons. It was nice because this team had so much pressure on them and to see them rattle off five in a row when it was most important just made it really satisfying,” stated Bagdasarian.

“We wanted to be the first team to ever walk through these halls with a state championship. It means everything,” added Fote, “We’re all going to hang out ten years from this, twenty years from this and talk about it. It’s something that we’ll always have.”

The National Basketball Association draft is upon us and dozens of young prospects will fulfill their professional dreams. Here’s how the first 18 selections of the 2018 NBA draft would pan out if we entered The Land of Make Believe, in which professional general managers chose between the gifted players that starred at the five local schools this past winter.
 
Welcome to the second annual Bizzaro Basketball Draft…
 
1. Phoenix Suns- Michael Mozzicato (F- Wethersfield): A proven scorer with an automatic jumper and length to finish inside. Rangy athlete with an impressive wingspan and the lateral quickness to succeed on the defensive end. Great wing-complement to Devin Booker in the desert. 
   
2. Sacramento Kings- Noah Budzik (G- Cromwell): Super smooth talent that plays with pace and an abundance of confidence. Curry-type range with ability to go on scoring barrages and can finish over bigger athletes at the rim. The next Mike Bibby in Sacramento.        
 
3. Atlanta Hawks: DeAaron Lawrence (G- Middletown): Explosive athlete that can jump out of the gym and is a tenacious defender with quick hands. Limitless offensive arsenal with ability to create off the bounce and the stroke to light it up from beyond the arc.          
 
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew DiMatteo (F/C- Rocky Hill): Gritty, though big man with a soft touch around the rim. Strong base on defense and does not back down from any challenges. The type of player that every roster needs.    
 
5. Dallas Mavericks: Reese Reyes (F- Cromwell): Unselfish player that will do anything the team needs. Size and strength to play multiple position and has high basketball acumen.  Very few, if any, weakness in his game.
 
6. Orlando Magic: Jimmy Sullivan (F- Wethersfield): Modern-day big that excels inside and has versatility to space the floor. Long frame makes it nearly impossible to get shots over him and allows him to yank down rebounds.     
 
7. Chicago Bulls: J.P. DeCastro (G- Newington): Gym rat that will not be outworked on or off the court. Effortless pull-up jumper and is fearless at finishing at the cup. Basketball IQ just went up in the Windy City.  
 
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Will White (G- Rocky Hill): Confident, hardnosed athlete who is a creator in space and can shoot from the parking lot. Energizer on both ends that plays with passion and emotion. Could lure LBJ back to ‘The Land’ for another title run.
 
9. New York Knicks: Gabe Charleston (C- Cromwell): Blossoming big man who has a sky-high ceiling. Has already shown glimpses of greatness with his ability to protect the rim and finish with power on the offensive end. Knicks get leaner and meaner.     
 
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Ryan Robinson (G- Rocky Hill): Floor general with the heart of a lion. Exceptional handles and sets up teammates in scoring position with his precision passes. Ideal fit with young Brotherly Love bunch.    
 
11. Charlotte Hornets: James Holley (F- Newington): Swiss Army knife talent that plays with intelligence and pace. Arguably the best on-ball defender in the draft, making him a value on any team, especially a Hornets team that surrendered 108 points per game last season.   
 
12. Los Angeles Clippers: Nick Arcata (G- Wethersfield): Experienced all-round point guard that does all the little things well. Great distributor but not afraid to put his head down and attack the basket. Draws comparisons to Andre Miller.
 
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Derek Tenney (G- Wethersfield): The ultimate team-player. Can do it all offensively and adds defensive versatility, excelling in man and playing passing lanes extremely well. Developed a knack for taking over late in games.
 
14. Denver Nuggets: Nick Wright (G- Cromwell): Mr. Do-It-All that can fill multiple roles. Impacts game on the defense end and can play inside and out on offense. Deceptive length and strength will be valued at the next level.
 
15. Washington Wizards: Jordan DelMastro (F- Rocky Hill): Fundamentally sound player that is not afraid to bang down low and will stretch a defense with perimeter skills. Great hands and smooth in transition. Will have a long career at the next level. 
 
16. Phoenix Suns: Riley Donovan (F- Rocky Hill): The jack of all trades. Can score, pass, and rebound with efficiency and will guard any position of the floor. Length and jumping abilities are special. Only entering his prime, which is scary for opponents.
    
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Mason Romano (C- Newington): Lengthy frame allows his to dominate around the rim. Underrated touch from outside the key and his upside is through the roof. Anthony Davis-type body with potential skills to match.
 
18. San Antonio Spurs: Brennen Maxfield (G- Middletown): High-energy sparkplug that hustles on both ends of the court. Deadly spot-up shooter from beyond the arc and a perfect fit in The Alamo.
 
 
Girls Basketball Bonus: The WNBA draft took place in March, but here’s a look back to how it would have panned with the local stars.
 
1. Las Vegas Aces: Nikki Lukens (G- Rocky Hill): The complete package. Creative off the dribble and a lockdown perimeter defender. Can score at will but is unselfish with the ball and has a team-first mentality. A can’t miss prospect who will form a terrific 1-2 punch with Kayla McBride.  
 
2. Indiana Fever:  Nicole Gwynn (G- Wethersfield): Uber-talented prospect just entering her prime. Can take over games on both ends of the floor due to her boundless energy. Great finisher at the cup and has superb lateral quickness on the defensive end. Sky is the limit.   
 
3. Chicago Sky: Jenna Serrantino (G- Cromwell): Point producer that can fill it up from the inside and out. Efficient, fierce competitor who has thrived in big moments and will fit in well with Amber Stocks’ style on the fast-rising Sky.
 
4. Chicago Sky: Ashanti Frazier (G-Newington): Natural instincts on the floor and excels with the ball in her hands. A basketball junkie with excellent vision and an attacking nature. Young prospect that won’t back down from a challenge.
 
5. Seattle Storm: Grace Moore (F- Rocky Hill): Athletic ability is off the charts and brings instant energy. Wizard in the paint with a special ability to work her way to the bucket and finish once she’s there. Ready for the next level and could be heir apparent to Sue Bird in the Emerald City.
 
6. Dallas Wings: Grace Fisher (F- Rocky Hill): Solid at all phases of the game with Cheryl Ford-type skill set. Finisher with terrific mid-range jumper and willing passer from the top of the key. Tough competitor with All-Star potential.   
 
7. Washington Mystics: Amanda Fudge (G- Middletown): Slasher with bulldog mentality that finds teammates and can step back and knock down shots. Floor general with a knack for creating and making buckets in crucial moments.
 
8. Indiana Fever: Vanessa Stolstajner (G/F- Cromwell): Up-and-coming prospect that took her game to another level this winter. Can score in bunches and plays with a maturity beyond her years. Star in the making.
 
9. Connecticut Sun: Cheyenne-Monè Smith (F- Wethersfield): Loads of skill on both ends of the court. Confident athlete that thrives against elite competition and in big moments. Connecticut retains one of its most talented prospects.  
 
10. New York Liberty: Dominique Highsmith (F- Middletown): Instant contributor that has a rare combination of strength down low and quickness on the perimeter. All-world athlete and an all-star talent. 
 
11. Los Angeles Sparks: Olivia St. Remy (C- Newington): Fundamentally sound team-first player that gathers rebounds in bunches. Doesn’t need the spotlight and willing to sacrifice for the team. Might be the missing piece the Sparks need to get back on top.
 
12. Phoenix Mercury: Kelsea Corcoran (G- Cromwell): Knock down shooter and moves extremely well without the ball. Plays with an edge and will be an ideal weapon alongside the legend Diana Taurasi in Phoenix.
 
13. Las Vegas Aces: Isabella Samse (G- Wethersfield): Budding prospect with a non-stop motor and endless energy. Underrated shooter that can drain threes with the best of them and is disruptive on the defense end. Exciting to watch.  
 
14. Indian Fever: Lizzy Denardo (G- Rocky Hill): Blend of talent, toughness, and swagger. Heady defensive player with great vision and can knock down shots from distance on the offensive end. A fan favorite.  
 
15. Atlanta Dream: Silvana Barcomb (G- Middletown): Solid on both ends of the court. Good with the rock in her hands and a steady finisher around the rim. Consistent production from night to night.
 
16. Atlanta Dream: MacKenzie Dunn (F- Middletown): Rising star that plays both ends of the court. Effective outside shot makes her a duel threat inside and out. A fit on any roster.
 
17. Minnesota Lynx: Alice Kelly (F- Wethersfield): Plays with a poise and confidence beyond her years. Always in the right spot at the right time and is going to be a force at the next level for an already loaded Lynx squad.
 
18. Dallas Wings: Sadie Budzik (G/F- Cromwell): Great athlete that understands the game and is only going to get better with more minutes. She’s just reaching her potential.