Caught up with North Branford coach Billy Mitchell Sunday. He said the Thunderbirds have shown early signs of an overachieving offense, putting up a combined 16 runs in their first two games.

North Branford fell 8-7 in nine innings to East Haven Saturday. Even though North Branford lost the game, it shows the Thunderbirds potential this season. They hung with East Haven, a strong team coming out of a powerhouse conference in the SCC. The Easties brought in Mike Anastasio in the sixth to close out the game. But North Branford had other plans, crushing the ball against the Easties ace.

North Branford already has the pitching. Senior Taylor Gamache and junior Matt Scavo, along with sophomore Kyle Johnson pitched against the Easties. Mitchell said they all threw well. It was some uncharacteristic errors (North Branford committed five) that cost them the game.

Gamache, Scavo and Johnson aren't even the Thunderbirds go-to arms. That would be seniors Dan Esposito and Mike Damone. Mitchell was holding them for today's Shoreline Conference showdown with Haddam-Killingworth. So if Gamache, Scavo and Johnson continue, that will give North Branford some real pitching depth.

Look for North Branford to be a real conference contender this season.