After a 17-6 record in 2014 and a trip to the state quarter finals, the Naugatuck Greyhounds haven’t been able to replicate that success on the diamond ever since. In 2015 they finished 12-11 and were eliminated in the first round of both the NVL and state tournament. In 2016, they finished under .500, going 10-12, again being eliminated in the first round of both tournaments.

There was one positive about the 2016 season; the team was young, and only one senior graduated, so when 2017 rolled around, the Greyhounds would have an almost identical lineup. With more experience and an itch to get back on the map, the Greyhounds were excited about the 2017 season and had high hopes for the year.

The Greyhounds opened their season at home on April 10th against Sacred Heart. They had a comeback win, 5-3 to start the season on a high note. Just two days later they suffered a 14-1 loss to a strong Wolcott team. The Greyhounds needed some confidence back and they were able to build some, with 3 straight wins against Torrington, Kennedy, and Ansonia, behind strong pitching by Zach Royka, Steve Marinaro, and Shane Swierbitowicz.

A big part to the early success of the team has been the play of sophomore Zach Royka. Through the team’s first 8 games, he’s hit .423 with a home run, and a team leading 9 RBI. Zach says he hasn’t tried to do too much at the plate. “I just try to go up there and do whatever I can to help my team win on that given day.”

After 3 straight wins Naugatuck had their toughest challenge of the year to that point against an undefeated Holy Cross team. It was the first road game of the year for the Greyhounds and they just looked flat coming out. They faced a really good pitcher in Fran Phelan who kept them scoreless for the whole game, but thanks to a well pitched game by Corey Plasky, the Greyhounds only lost 2-0.

Again Naugatuck looked to bounce back after a loss and they would get the chance on their home field against Derby. They sent Steve Marinaro to the hill to try and get back on track. Even though they were coming off a tough loss to Holy Cross, Marinaro didn’t feel any added pressure.

“Honestly I didn’t because I know that each day is a new day and a new team in the other dugout, I just wanted to go out there and do what I needed to do to help my team win.”

He did everything he needed to do and more, throwing a complete game 2 hit shutout, leading the Greyhounds to a 4-0 victory to improve to 5-2 on the year.

The next stop for the Greyhounds was in Watertown, just their second away game of the season, and just like the first time on the road against Holy Cross, the Greyhounds came out flat and couldn’t get anything going on offense and ended up suffering their 3rd loss of the year, 3-1.

Although they’ve had some rough days, Naugatuck believes that they’re a true threat for the NVL title this year barring any major setbacks.

“If we can stay out of trouble, stay focused, and stay close as a team we can do damage,” said Royka, “last year towards the end of the year the team slowly started separating into smaller units instead of one big one and that hurt us, we have to just stay focus and together and we’ll be alright”

The Greyhounds continue their season on Friday, April 28th in Cromwell.