Masuk clinched a 3‑1 victory over Bristol Eastern in the CIAC Class L state tournament quarterfinals, securing a spot in the semifinals.
The win was anchored by strong pitching from Graham Gabriel, who recorded six strikeouts while allowing just two hits, and a solid effort from Noah Molinsky, who struck out five batters for Eastern before the final out.
Offensively, the top of the Masuk lineup proved decisive, with Jackson Zylick and Jerson Perez driving the rally that produced the three runs.
The Panthers now stand at 15‑8, while the Eagles finish their season at 12‑11, marking the end of a competitive campaign for the seniors on the Eastern roster.
Semifinal Preview
Masuk will next face #1‑ranked Lyman Hall, a team that entered the tournament with a perfect record, setting up a highly anticipated semifinal matchup.
The game also served as a farewell for several Eastern seniors — Noah Albert, Dennis Espinal, Connor Murtaugh, Noah Molinsky, and Cole Chaivanik — who wrapped up their high school careers on the field.