Post 17 starts season with rough stretch   

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NAUGATUCK — Naugatuck Post 17 opened the season with a tough stretch of opponents.

The combined record of Naugatuck’s first three opponents — Oakville, Bethel, and Shelton — was 9-2 through June 14, and Naugatuck lost to all three to begin the year.

In a 1-0 loss to Shelton (2-1) last Wednesday, two Shelton pitchers combined to no-hit Post 17. The only base runners for Naugatuck were Corey Plasky, who walked in the first inning, and Zach Royka, who reached on an error in the second frame.

The Shelton game followed another 1-0 loss to Bethel (2-1) on June 10, where Post 17 lost on a walk-off walk. Naugy had two hits in the game, one coming from a leadoff single by Plasky to open the game. Naugatuck’s only shot to score came in the sixth inning when Derek Sampaio led off with a single. Plasky reached on an error when he tried to bunt his way. One out later, Will McDonald was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but a fly out and a strikeout stranded the runners.

While Naugatuck is lacking run production, pitching has kept Post 17 in games.

Against Shelton, Chris Flynn worked a complete game and lost the game on an outfield error in the seventh inning. Flynn allowed just three hits and struck out seven.

Even though Royka picked up a loss against Bethel on the walk-off walk, his pitching line was also impressive. He pitched the entire game, giving up six hits while striking out nine.

Naugatuck opened the season with a 5-1 loss to Oakville (5-0) on June 9. Jarret Allen, Mark Nofri, Plasky and McDonald each had a hit.

Post 17 will play Washington on Friday before a doubleheader at Danbury on Saturday.