Miskiewicz keeps Montville guessing in NFA win

“We were talking about it. But at the end of the day, he’s our senior, he’s our leader. He’s worked really hard to throw his offspeed stuff for strikes. He’s good at it. He’s crafty but he just goes out there with this killer mentality.”

NFA COACH ANTHONY TURGEON ON SENIOR BRIAN MISKIEWICZ

Norwich — Baseball's enduring charm often lives through its archetypes, including, but not limited, to Power Hitter, Five Tool Guy, Leadoff Man and Utility Infielder. And somewhere down the list comes the immortal "Crafty Lefty," usually reserved for the guys who use guile more than style.

Brian Miskiewicz was Exhibit A on a sunny Tuesday at Dodd Stadium, spinning it here and placing it there, during six shutout innings. Miskiewicz allowed four hits, struck out seven and led Norwich Free Academy to a 2-0 win over Montville.

"This was a great first start of the year," said Miskiewicz, a senior, who started as a sophomore. "I got a lot of help from my teammates. No errors. They made the plays. That run they got early calmed me down, too. I don't have an overpowering fastball. So I rely a lot on offspeed stuff and for my coaches to help me out with it."

Miskiewicz needed little help until the sixth when the Indians (0-2) put two runners on with none out. This was perhaps new coach Anthony Turgeon's first big decision of his career: Should Miskiewicz get to clean up his own mess? The answer: absolutely.

He escaped with line out, ground out and ground out, finally yielding to right-hander Elliott Johnson, who worked a perfect seventh.

"We were talking about it," Turgeon said, alluding to whether to summon the bullpen. "But at the end of the day, he's our senior, he's our leader. He's worked really hard to throw his offspeed stuff for strikes. He's good at it. He's crafty but he just goes out there with this killer mentality."

Ryan Deshefy, whose dad, Dave, was among the greats at St. Bernard,

Avery Point and the University of Hartford, led off the game with a triple and scored on a passed ball. It's the only run NFA (2-0) needed.

And just about the only one they could muster off losing pitcher Derrell Mitchell, who worked six innings as well. Mitchell, a sophomore, gives Montville plenty of hope. The Indians were a hard-luck loser in their opener as well, 4-2 to Fitch.

Turgeon, meanwhile, has watched his team adjust to a new season and a new coach.

"It's been good so far," he said.

"We're working on stuff every single day. Some of it is getting used to me and some of it is getting used to playing varsity baseball for the first time. Brian and Griffin (Pontbriant) are the only two guys who ever played a varsity game."