Rising to the top

Lyman Hall’s Hackett continues to build off a next-level tournament showing last season

WALLINGFORD — The best players rise to the top when the spotlight is brightest.

During last year’s baseball state tournament, one of those players with the light shining brightest was Justin Hackett, who after quietly putting together a good junior season for Lyman Hall, took his game to the next level in the postseason. By the time the tournament was over, Hackett was no longer lost in in the shadows.

Hackett led No. 22 Lyman Hall to three straight road wins and a spot in the Class L semifinals at Palmer Field. He had late heroics at the plate with a seventh inning home run against North Haven, and impressive pitching performances, throwing a complete game, three-hit shutout against Fitch.

“He came through big time for us in the postseason, not only pitching but with his bat too,” Lyman Hall coach Bill Rich said. “I always tell people I am fortunate to have probably one of the top five senior baseball players in the state. It’s nice, it’s a luxury to have.”

This season, Hackett has picked up where he left off for the Trojans.

Against Notre Dame-West Haven, he pitched a complete game and with the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, he hit a walk-off two RBI double. He also had a walk-off hit in a 7-6 win over Branford Thursday.

“When he comes to the plate and if we got guys on bases for him, I am a little bit more relaxed and at ease knowing that he is, most of the time, going to come up with a big hit for us,” Rich said.

This week against Sheehan, he hit a home run and according to the Record-Journal, he stole five bases, including home.

Now that opponents know his name and teams are actively pitching around him, Hackett

Pete Paguaga / Hearst Connecticut Lyman Hall’s Justin Hackett throws to first during a game against Sheltonat Pat Wall Field in Wallingford.