The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-05-28
HIGH SCHOOL AND PREP BOYS ENJOY GREAT SEASON
Indians Smother Valley Leaders 1894; Taft Tops
 Tech, } to 1
By JOHN A. CLUNEY

Once upon time, when the keen est sort of athletic competition was considered in Waterbury and vicin- ity, one had to invariably come up with something or somebody from WatertoWn. Sports, like many other things run in cycles, too, and there were many lean years for Water town athletes and teams, but the present season has seen return to the glory that was the SilktoWn, chiefly because of the most success ful athletic escapades of not one, but two teams from WatertoWn-- the high school boys and the lads from the private school Taft Prep. A sort of town and gown situation, both teams have made good In a very big way.
 It all started last winter when both Watertown's Indians and the Taft teams showed basketball abil- ity that was. good enough to win most of their games. The Indians, for the first time in history, went to the finals of the state CD tour nament but lost out in the last game of a great season under Coach Bob Cooke. Taft was really hot too and outpointed all sorts Of prep school opposition.
 Cold, Wet Spring
 When the baseball season came with a cold and wet spring, that kept the boys indoors and prevented shagging flies, hitting 'em out, and running the bases; there was not too much hope for anything oi an unusual nature. However, when the Indians and Taft lads felt the grass and ground under their cleats they really went places in style and Vlc- torious fashion. The Indians nave won 10 of II games including ycS- terday's surprising result and IS to 4 victory over the undefeated valley league leaders at Torrington; Wifi ners of ' straight games against valley league foes, and yet to be beaten.
 Taft came to town and went back to Watertown with a neat 3-l win over Leavenworth as Dave Sears ai- lowed but six hits. Both the hlgh school and Taft have outstanding players: who have played a steady and prominent part in their success game after game; the Indians with the hard hitting Meyers brothers Franny and Tommy, one pitcher the other an infielder, plus Kielty, (where have I heard that name be- fore?) Hassel, ziello and of course there must be a McCleary on the team somewhere; as the Kieltys and McClearys have been WatertoWh athletes for quarter of century or more.
 Torrington Smothercd
 Bob Cookes Indians went to Tor rington yesterday to cross bats With a reputedly strong Torrington team that has won straight valley league games. The Meyers lads, Tommy and Franny got ' hits be- tween them, of the l7 of Torrihg- ton pitching; while Franny NeyerS spread 2 hits to Torrington, sam PonM and Carmen Mele getting TOUT of them, Kielty hit "3 for 5" agalnst Torrington pitching. ,, ,
 Incidentally, Watertown high has defeated Taft Prep, it's town rival twice this season, though Taft mas won six of nine games five Of them against Waterbury teams.
 Zacaria, catching his hrst game for Watertown, turned in a nice jon, and got two hits during the one sided contest, in which Torrington team has not been beaten so oaaly on it's home field in many sea- son.
 One Bad Inning
 Three runs on one hit in the thliq inning. spoiled the pitching debut of George Lathrop, who has been doing relief work for LeavenWorth until yesterday. A walk, sacriilce' interference by a catcher, double steal, steal of home plate and a single brought in three runs Tor Taft in the third inning; after which Lathrop was tough to score on, but Tech could not help him with any more runs, Tech had two on base in the eighth, Thornley on third, but pinch-hitter Ray Adams a a pitcher, lined to shortstop Tor the out.