Baseball Recap: Derby Takes a Loss

Derby and Shepaug Valley squared off in some playoff action on Monday, but Derby had to settle for second. They took a 5-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Spartans. The Red Raiders were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Spartans apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in May of 2023.

Nikolas Kotucek

Earned Runs

05/07/25 vs Holy Cross	4
04/19/25 @ Seymour	4
04/17/25 @ Watertown	4
04/09/25 vs Torrington	4
04/24/25 vs Naugatuck	1
+ 1 more games

Derby got a good showing from Nikolas Kotucek, who tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Kotucek is becoming a predictor of the Red Raiders' success: when he allows at most one earned run the team is 4-2 (and 3-12 when he doesn't).

On the hitting side, Derby saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Jayzair Barbera, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base.

Derby's defeat was their fourth straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 7-14. As for Shepaug Valley, they have been performing well recently as they've won 11 of their last 13 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 19-4 record this season.

Derby does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Shepaug Valley, they will take on Coginchaug Regional at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.