The Collinsville River Rats baseball team has earned a spot in the North Division Senior Baseball League finals for the fourth time since 2018. (Photo courtesy of Collinsville River Rats)

SOUTHINGTON, August 24, 2024 – Abi Polanco’s one-out RBI single in the ninth inning helped the Southington Navigators to a 2-1 victory in nine innings over the Collinsville River Rats in the decisive third game of the Connecticut North Men’s Senior Baseball League championship game at Recreation Park.

Southington won the best-of-three series 2-1 and claimed the 25+ Division title.

Southington (18-6) won the first game of the finals 8-4 on Saturday, August 17, before the River Rats evened the series with an 8-5 win in the second game later that afternoon.

Collinsville (8-16), which won just three of 17 regular-season games, made a strong impression in the playoffs with two 2-0 victories over the New Haven Chargers and the Marlborough A’s. The River Rats beat the A’s by one point in two victories – both of which ended 4-3.

This puts Collinsville in the best-of-3 championship final for the first time since 2020, while the River Rats are seeking their first championship title since 2019.

In the third game, Collinsville took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Justin Lovetere hit a single to center field and brought Dennis Locovico home from second base. However, Southington tied the game with two outs in the third inning thanks to two errors.

The game went into overtime and Collinsville threatened to take the lead in the ninth inning. Lovetere hit a double. After a hit batter, Jay Maia hit a single to load the bases. John Cuscovitch hit a ground ball to Southington second baseman Mike Nelson, who threw Lovetere out of the game trying to score from third base. A fly ball ended the threat.

Southington won the game in the ninth inning. Anthony Munoz reached base on an error in the outfield. With one out, Matt Moran walked and Munoz reached third base on a passed ball. Poloanco’s RBI single to left field gave the Navigators the win and the championship.

Southington reached the final for the third year in a row. They lost to Marlborough last year but won the title in 2022.

Lovetere was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Collinsville.

Southington 2, Collinsville 1 (9)
In Southington
Collinsville (8-16) 001 000 000 — 1-6-6
Southington (18-6) 001 000 001 — 2-8-0
Jake Bryant, Jeff Mulhall (3) and John Cuscovitch; Mike Scott, Mark Creamer (8) and Abi Poloanco; WP: Creamer; LP: Mulhall; 2B: Justin Lovetere (center), Joseph White (center)

Game 2
Collinsville 8, Southington 5
In Southington
Southington (17-6) 014 000 0 — 5-8-2
Collinsville (8-15) 213 200 x — 8-12-0
Mark Creamer and Abi Poloanco; Dan Abromoske, Jeff Mulhall (6) and John Cuscovitch; WP: Daniel Abromoske; LP: Creamer; Save: Mulhall; 2B: Tony (C) 3, Mulhall (C), D Smallacombe (S); Human Resources Department: Abi Poloanco (S), Matt Moran (S): NOTE: Mike Scott (S) 3 for 3, Matt Moran (S) 1-3, 3 RBI, Mulhall (C) 3 for 4, 2 RBI, John Cuscovitch (C) 2-3, Dan Abromoske 4-4

Game 1
Southington 8, Collinsville 4
In Southington
Collinsville (7-15) 120 010 0 — 4-8-4
Southington (17-5) 010 021 4 — 8-11-1
Smallacombe, Creamer (5) and Iwaniec; Jake Bryant and Josh Lamonte; WP: milk jug; LP: Bryant; 2B: Justin Lovetere (M.), Steve Dubois (M.), Creamer (S.); Human Resources Department: : Polanco (S); NOTE: Bryant allowed 11 hits, struck out 11 and allowed 2 walks; Polanco was 2-for-4 with 4 RBI; Dubois (C) was 2-for-4, while Jeff Mulhall (C) was 2-for-3

Connecticut North Men’s Senior Baseball League
25 and younger
championship
Saturday, August 17
8th Floor, Collinsville
Collinsville 8, Southington 5
Saturday, August 24
Southington 2, Collinsville 1 (9)