I am humbled by the turnout and the efforts of all involved. The game was a fierce battle on the field. I wish to extend a special thank you to Patrolman Brandon Correia for organizing the event and managing the team to victory. His organizing of the event was no easy task and his dedication truly made a difference.”

Police Chief kevin Lynch

Chief Kevin Lynch held up the trophy and the police celebrated after winning the first annual Battle of the Badges softball game 11-10, in extra innings in front of a large cheering crowd at the Colt State Park softball field on Thursday night. 

“I am humbled by the turnout and the efforts of all involved,” said Chief Lynch in a statement. “The game was a fierce battle on the field. I wish to extend a special thank you to Patrolman Brandon Correia for organizing the event and managing the team to victory. His organizing of the event was no easy task and his dedication truly made a difference.”

It wasn’t easy for Chief Lynch pitching a complete game for the police, as Fire Chief Mike DeMello and his team came out swinging and scored 8 runs in the first inning. Chief DeMello gained first base via an error and Ben Costa, Emily Masse, Derrick Paquette, Aidan Litchko and Cam Ecclesto all belted base hits off Chief Lynch as the firemen broke out for an 8-0 first inning lead. 

Chief Lynch buckled down and held the firemen to 11 hits and just single runs in the fourth and the seventh innings to allow his team to scratch and claw their way back into the game. 

The police squad belted out 20 hits and scored 3 runs in the first inning, 2 runs in the third, 1 run in the fourth and 4 more runs in the fifth, to take a 10-9 lead. 

The meat of the order clouted 7 hits and scored 7 runs off Chief DeMello and Paul Padula who relieved him in the fifth inning. Officer Keith Medeiros, batting second, smashed 3 hits and scored 3 runs, Major Scott McNally batting third, singled and scored 2 runs and officer Brandon Correia, batting clean up, bashed 3 hits and scored 2 runs. 

Josh Roza hitting 11th, laced 3 hits and scored a run. Brian Morse, Kyle Batista and Chris Raiola each collected 2 hits and Mike Kelly, Tyler Carreiro, Sean Gonsalves and Major Brian Burke each added a hit for the police. 

Paquette ties the game 10-10

Paquette tied the game 10-10 in the bottom of the seventh inning for the firemen. He singled and came around to score on a double by Litchko to send the game into extra innings. 

In the top of the eighth inning, Luther Wilson drew a one-out walk for the firefighters. He gained third base and threatened to score, but Chief Lynch got Paul Padula to ground out and Costa to fly out to strand Luther at third base. 

Major McNally scores and wins the game for the police

Major McNally singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth. The major moved to second base on a hit by Brian Morse and over to third on a walk by Kyle Batista, to load the bases for Mike Kelly. Kelly laced a grounder back to pitcher, Paul Padula. He turned and fired to second base in an attempt to turn a double play, but Kelly beat the throw allowing Major McNally to score the third winning run and give the police a walk-off victory. Chief Lynch was awarded the brand new Battle of the Badges trophy and the team celebrated amidst cheers and posed for a photo after the game.

The event raised $8,000 for Bristol sports youth organizations and the town summer camp. 

Firemen offensive stats: Paquette, Litchko, and Ecclesto each belted 2 hits for the firemen. Ecclesto drove in three runs with a double and a single. Costa, Masse, Jared Castigliego and AJ Medeiros each tallied a hit for the firemen. 

“This event would not have been successful without the generosity and efforts of the event sponsors, volunteers, and the unwavering support from Town Administrator Steve Contente, the members of the Bristol Town Council, and our community,” Chief Lynch wrote. “I would also like to extend my gratitude to Chief DeMello and the members of the Bristol Fire Department for their spirit of sportsmanship and commitment to serving the citizens of Bristol. We look forward to the continued success of this event in the pursuit of the ongoing support of the youth sports programs in our community.”