Cerruto homers and triples to lead Red Raiders

TORRINGTON - Cam Cerruto homered and tripled in the first two innings as the Red Raiders drove back a late-inning Naugatuck challenge for a 6-3 win on Friday at Fuessenich Park.

“I’ve been feeling pretty good at the plate all season so far,” said Cerruto, who will attend West Point in the fall.

“Cerruto’s a good player,” Naugatuck coach Tom Deller said. “We’re not at that point where we can pitch strikes right down the middle to good players.”

Torrington (3-2; 2-2 NVL) saw sophomore starting pitcher Kyle Banche toss a complete game, allowing 6 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts.

“I was hitting my spots,” Banche said. “My fastball was looking good in the first few innings. Then I went to my curve because that’s what was working.”

Naugatuck (2-3) starter Nate Deptula allowed 5 hits and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts.

Cerruto’s first-inning homer run sailed into the river beyond left field.

Meanwhile, Banche coasted through the first four innings, allowing just a first-inning hit by Nauga-

tuck’s Zack Royka.

Naugatuck’s offense awoke in the fifth, scoring two runs, highlighted by a squeeze bunt from Derrick Jagello. A walk to Nick Bruno and an RBI single from Mike Nofri added a run in the sixth.

Richardson went to the mound, but stuck with Banche. “I just had two pitchers left,” Torrington coach Pat Richardson said.

But Banche maintained his stamina and pitched the duration of the game.

“I knew when we played well against Holy Cross and Oxford (close losses), who always give us trouble, we could play with anyone in the league,” Richardson said. “We’re rolling (now). That was one of our best games over the last two or three years. Everybody contributed.”