Fast start for Milford Legion Post 59 looks to make a deep playoff run
Evan Cornelius has been a two-way star for Post 59. Photo credit: Steve Bassignani
By Chris Villani
Sports Writer
The start of the summer has been nothing short of dominant for the Milford Legion baseball team. Post 59 rattled off nine straight wins to start the season, including seven against Zone 4 opponents. Some of the scores were so lopsided, the team did not even get to play a full seven innings.
Milford celebrates after one of its early season wins. Photo credit: Steve Bassignani
“We have had a lot of contributions from a lot of guys,” said Milford manager Steve DiVitto. “We made a concerted effort to try and rotate as many guys into the lineup early on as we can and everyone has done a good job of being ready to go when their number is called.”
Milford has been lifted in large part by its depth. The Post 59 pitching staff posted a 1.55 ERA through the first 10 games of the year and the offense combined to hit .341 and score 95 runs.
Milford High graduate Evan Cornelius has been the undisputed ace of the pitching staff and an anchor in the middle of the lineup. Cornelius won each of his first three starts on the mound with a sub-1.00 ERA and hit .387 with the team’s only home run.
Another MHS product, Keith Lee, has been an on-base machine. With six hits, 14 walks, and several hit by pitch, his on base percentage was a whopping .781.
“It’s just astronomical,” DiVitto said. “He is as disciplined a hitter as we have and he has just been exceptional for us.”
Nick Kock hit .386 through the first half of the year and DiVitto praised his play in the outfield as well.
DiVitto also had lofty words for Nipmuc’s Colin Burchard, who won each of his first two starts.
“He has done a great job,” the skipper said. “He has only given up eight hits and two runs in two starts. He has been outstanding and we are happy with how he has taken the bull by the horns here after the high school season.”
Milford has had a proud tradition of competing for state titles and, with added depth at the plate to compliment Post 59’s arms, DiVitto said he hopes this will be another team that could make it a long summer.
“I think this team has the tools to make a deep run and we play in one of the best zones in the state, it challenges us constantly and we have been up to the task,” he said. “You don’t make or break your season in the first half, we need to make
