SOUTHBURY – The Newtown Bombers captured their second straight Southbury Memorial Tournament championship … and, this time, did it on the larger diamond.

When the folks at Babe Ruth national headquarters decided to create a new intermediate field size for 12 year olds that would allow for an experience more akin to big field baseball, they must have envisioned the type of game that was played in a classic battle between Newtown and Southbury in the championship game of this tournament.

The locals prevailed 8-5 in a hard-fought, back and forth contest that could have easily gone either way.

Newtown took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of that one as leadoff man Michael Lengel drew a walk and scored on a single by Kyle Wilcox, who was later plated on a fielder’s choice grounder by Gary Braun.

That lead quickly evaporated as Southbury scored two runs in the bottom of the first, evening the score, but the Bombers came out swinging in the top of the second as Joe Davis singled, stole second and was brought home by David Gerics’ single. Dean Demers brought Gerics home with the second run on an RBI grounder to short that now put Newtown up 4-2.

Southbury continued to battle in the bottom of the second scoring another run to make it 4-3 and added two more in the bottom of the third to make it 5-4 Southbury.

The Bombers were not be denied however, as Lengel scored on Reid Schmidt’s seeing eye grounder in the top of the fourth to knot the score yet again and Schmidt moved to third on a single by Wilcox. Andrew Kelley followed with another single, scoring Schmidt with the go-ahead run, but Wilcox was cut down at the plate on a strong throw by a Southbury outfielder, leaving the score 6-5 Newtown.

Neither team scored in the fifth, and with the score uncomfortably close for the Newtown team, Richie Sandler strode to the plate in the top of the sixth and launched a towering shot over the left field fence for a 7-5 Bombers lead. The Bombers would add an insurance run as Jon Hull drew a walk and eventually came around to score on a sac fly by Wilcox.

Hull would end the game in spectacular fashion, with a diving, back to the plate catch at shortstop, reminiscent of a similar play he made to end a game versus Maine in the finals of the 10 year-old New England Regionals.

Winning pitcher Dan Poeltl (who was brilliant in three innings of relief) and catchers Michael Allwein and Lengel kept the big Southbury hitters off-balance in the final three innings, thereby giving the Bombers’ bats the opportunity to win the crown for the second straight year.

Newtown faced New Milford in the first game of the tourney and prevailed 10-3. The Bombers got off to a fast start in the opener as Lengel led off with a single, stole second and scored on Schmidt’s single. Kelley then singled, driving in Schmidt and Gary Braun then plated Wilcox with a sac fly making the score 3-0.

Kelley eventually scored on a grounder by Sandler, making it 4-0 Bombers.

New Milford scored twice in the bottom of the frame, but Newtown turned on the offense in the next three innings, scoring six more runs. Hull led off the top of the second with a single and scored ahead of Lengel who hit his first home run as a member of the Bombers. Gerics singled in the third and after Lengel and Hull reached base, Schmidt drew a walk forcing in a run, making the score 7-2 Newtown.

Kelley led of the fourth with a single and was chased to second on a single by Braun. Sandler’s single scored both Kelley and Braun and Joe Davis added another single, moving Poeltl into scoring position. Hull then delivered an RBI single plating Poeltl and put the game out of reach for New Milford.

Wilcox, Schmidt and Kelley were outstanding on the mound for the Bombers.

Game two pitted Newtown against New Canaan and their old friends Sean and Dylan O’Connor, who were members of the Bombers’ 9-year-old Regional Championship team. The O’Connor and the rest of the New Canaan squad came ready to play, however, and raced out to an 8-0 lead after the second inning.

Newtown managed to get three runs on the board in the bottom of the third as Allwein worked a walk after one of his patented full count at bats (he led the Bombers with a .750 on-base percentage during the tourney), but was erased on a fielder’s choice by Hull. Schmidt walked and was followed by Poeltl, who drove in two runs with a double to right. Wilcox brought Poeltl home with the third run of the inning and the Bombers now trailed 8-3.

Poeltl was brought in to pitch in the second and was able to shut down New Canaan for two innings, allowing the Bombers to chip away at New Canaan’s lead. Braun led off the fourth with a long homer to left and Davis followed with a single and eventually scored on a series of steals and wild pitches. Demers then singled to right and scored on a fielder’s choice by Hull. Allwein worked another walk and eventually scored on a single by Schmidt, making the score 8-7 New Canaan after four innings of play.

Schmidt relieved Poeltl in the fourth and pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three New Canaan batters and aided by a beautiful 6-3 double play by Poeltl and Kelley. The Bombers then took the lead for good in their half of the fifth. Wilcox led off with a single and was moved to second on Kelley’s single. Braun then singled, scoring Wilcox with the tying run. Davis now delivered the key blow of the game, hitting a long three-run homer to left that put Newtown ahead 11-8. Gerics then followed Davis’ lightning with a clap of thunder as he homered to left bringing the Newtown crowd to its feet once again.

Kelley came in to pitch the sixth and earned his second save of the young season, striking out the last New Canaan batter to end the game.

The Bombers faced the tough Southbury team in the last game of the qualifying round and after falling behind 3-0 early, could not muster another big comeback, falling 8-3. Braun (HR, 2 RBI), Wilcox (2B, run) and Davis (single, RBI) led Newtown at the plate while Poeltl and Hull contributed three innings of scoreless relief.

The Bombers will square off against Southbury and New Canaan once again in the upcoming West Norwalk Invitational, which begins June 16, and then one last time this season during the 2007 state championships at Glander Fields beginning July 5.

U12

In-House

Final Standings

 

TEAM      W-L-T

Onex       8-6-1

Lee J. Demers, Builder           7-6-0

Westport Worldwide              6-6-0

Emmett & Glander 6-6-1

BASE Technologies 6-7-0

Noyes-Ryder           5-7-0

Playoff Results

Lee J. Demers, Builder 8, Emmett & Glander 5 – Sean Dardine cracked a leadoff home run over the left field fence for Demers and the team never lost its lead en route to a first-round playoff victory. Richie Sandler (3 hits), Kyle Wilcox and Ben Stoller powered the offense as Tyler Gibney sparkled in the field. For E&G, Stephen Conway drove in a couple of runs, Michael Allwein doubled and drove in a run, and Stefan Hennessey singled and scored a couple of runs.

Noyes-Ryder 11, BASE Technologies 1 – The Rangers took their first-round playoff contest behind the air-tight pitching of Andy Kelley and Colton Sposta and a free-wheeling offense that fed off the energy of speedster Ryan Daignault. Without relying on a wild pitch or a passed ball, Daignault stole home, bringing his teammates in the dugout to their feet and plating a run that will long be remembered. Kelley finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored while Nick Baretto and Daignault collected two hits apiece.

Westport Worldwide 9, Noyes-Ryder 2 – Westport Worldwide broke open a tight 4-2 game in the fourth inning and cruised to victory to advance to the second round.

Regular Season

Lee J. Demers, Builder 8, Westport Worldwide 4 – Rob Andreotta smashed a two-RBI double to left center in the fifth inning, scoring Tyler Gibney and Kaleb Rowe with the winning runs in the Steamers’ exciting come-from-behind victory. With one out and the bases loaded in the final inning, center fielder Kyle Wilcox preserved the win with a diving grab and a throw to second that doubled the runner off base. Sean Dardine doubled and singled, scoring three runs and knocking in one for the victors. Nicky Sajovic and Wilcox also had run-scoring singles. For Westport, Poeltl, Brandon Cooper, Alex Roche and Pat Sullivan knocked in runs. Cooper had his team’s longest hit with a double.

BASE Technologies 5, Lee J. Demers, Builder 3 – Mike Newman smacked three hits, including an RBI double, to lead BASE to victory. Jack Curry and Joe Davis also knocked in key runs. Relief pitcher David Gerics got the save, pitching two shutout innings. For Demers, Dean Demers crushed his first career home run, an arcing moon-shot over the left field fence. Ben Stoller knocked in a run with a line single to center and scored a run and Richie Sandler rapped two singles and scored once.

Onex 11, Noyes-Ryder 7 – Onex rolled to victory, its fourth straight game without a loss. For Noyes-Ryder, Nick Barreto and Pat Thornberg each went 3-for-3 as Andrew Kelley struck out four batters in two innings and Troy Larsen and Gary Braun each struck out two batters in one inning on the mound.

Onex 12, BASE Technologies 4 – Alec Arend singled, scored a run, drove in a run, and made several clutch defensive plays to lead Onex. Dean Baye singled twice, drove in a run and scored another while playing a stellar game at first base. Chad Magoulas smashed a homer and long double to ice the game for Onex. Nick Heron and Eric Terhaar had two singles each and Reid Schmidt homered.

Onex 12, Emmett & Glander 12 – Eric Terhaar had a great offensive game for Onex, going 3 for 4 with three doubles and three runs scored. Jack Champagne (single, 2 walks) and Spencer Erhardt (single, walk) were on base the whole game and played well in the field. Dean Baye stroked a single and drove in two runs and Nick Heron continued his hot hitting with a single, double and two RBI. Chad Magoulas pitched two effective innings, striking out three.

Onex 11, Noyes-Ryder 4 – John Lebinski singled twice, scored two runs and pitched a strong sixth to lead Onex. Jack Champagne singled and drove in two runs, Kevin Leblanc singled and walked twice, scoring two runs and Dean Baye singled and scored to aid the Onex cause. Alek Arend continued his strong defensive work, making two tough catches in deep left field. Tag Schmidt prevented a critical run from scoring in the fifth by cutting off a screaming liner and firing the ball back to the infield.

Onex 2, Emmett & Glander 1 – Onex prevailed in a well-played defensive game shortened to five innings by lightning. Pitchers Michael Lengel, Jack Champagne, Kevin Leblanc, Chad Magoulas and Reid Schmidt shut down E&G’s high-powered offense while Schmidt delivered the winning run via a fourth inning solo homer. Strong defensive games were again turned in by Dean Baye (first base) and Alek Arend (second base, left field).

U11

Prism Painting 11, Ocon Pest Control 7 – Jacob Moore had three hits while Matt Hoyt, Jimmy Gilbert, Connor Noonan, and Dean Lindquist added two each to power Prism. JP Kitzmiller and Tristan Villamil made great plays in the field. For Ocon, Sean Sonntag had three hits and drove in three runs as Garrison Buzzanca contributed with two hits and two RBI. Alex Romeo had three outfield assists cutting down two runners at second base and a third at home.

Onex 6, Stony Brook 5 – Brandon McCarthy, Anthony Padgett and Jack Zahansky led the offense in a come from behind win. Bubba LeBlanc pitched two scoreless innings and Stefan Dullinger and Jonah Muniz also pitched well. Muniz also made a spectacular catch in center field in the bottom of the sixth on a rope off the bat of Logan Puleri. For Stony Brook, Pat Mullins, Robert Linden and Greg Hennessey pitched well. Alex Lapinski doubled and Pat Mullins tripled and Robert Linden had two hits to pace the offense.

Taunton Press 10, Ferris Acres Creamery 3 – Ryan and Eric Pisani hit the ball hard to lead Taunton Press to the win. Stephan Rahr also added key hits during the game as Andrew Martinez led the way defensively with good plays early. Ryan Errico, Drew Tarantino and Ryan Pisani pitched well.

Prism Painting 5, Ferris Acres Creamery 2 – Connor Noonan, Mike Davis and Colin Dutt led the offense. Matt Hoyt made a spectacular diving catch of a line drive to lead the defensive effort. Erik Laaksonen and JP Kitzmiller pitched well to help preserve the win.

Stony Brook 8, Ocon Pest Control 2 – Sam Svensson had two RBIs and played very well in the field to pace Stony Brook. Alex Lapinski and Pat Mullins crushed extra base hits as Robert Linden and Justin Cherry pitched very well. Garrison Buzzanca had two shutout innings and two hits to lead Ocon. Brendan Peterson had a strong defensive effort and also had a multiple hit game.

Law Offices of Andrew Buzzi 16, Onex 13 – Anthony Padgett and Chris Stanton pitched great in the season debuts on the mound to lead Buzzi. Tom Floros also did a great job in relief, getting out of a bases loaded jam. Nick Swenson, Jack Zahansky and Andrew Ryan led the offense for Onex.

Taunton Press 19, Prism Painting 6 – Andrew Martinez, Jack Martin, Matt Mossbarger and Danny Cummings all hit hard in a win for Taunton. Justin DeVellis sparkled in the field and Drew Tarantino pitched well. For Prism, Jimmy Gilbert and Colin Dutt had two hits apiece while Matt Hoyt added one. JP Kitzmiller and Dean Lindquist anchored the defense and Tristan Villamil and Connor pitched well in defeat.

Onex 7, Ocon Pest Control 5 – Stefan Dullinger, Chris Stanton and Bubba Le Blanc had multiple hit games to lead Onex. Jonah Nuniz and Stefan Dullinger pitched well while the defense was anchored by Tommy Gleason and Brandon McCarthy (McCarthy also had the winning run). For Ocon, Alec Woznick had two hits and two RBI and also contributed with a strong defensive performance. Owen Gaston pitched two solid innings in emergency relief.

Ocon Pest Control 14, Law Offices of Andrew Buzzi 7 – Garrison Buzzanca, Max Temple and Alex Romeo had two hits and three RBI to lead Ocon. Michael Daubert surrendered only one run over two innings of work and Ricky Kerins had a stellar performance behind the plate.

Taunton Press 7, Ferris Acres Creamery 6 – Jack Martin, Drew Tarantino and Andrew Martinez hit hard for Taunton Press. Danny Cummings and Stephan Rahr played well in the field as Ryan Errico and Matt Mossbarger pitched well.

Prism Painting 11, Stony Brook 10 – Michael Davis homered and drove in seven runs to lead Prism Tristan Villamil and Jack Benedict played great defense. For Stony Brook, Greg Hennessey went 2-3 and scored twice as Pat Mullins went 3-for-3 with a well hit double to right field. Jamie McDonald, Logan Puleri, Alex Lapinski, Conner Bateson and Justin Cherry also had nice hits.

Onex 12, Stony Brook 11 – Cassie Ekstrom went 3-for-3 and Jack Zahansky drove in three runs to lead Onex. Nick Swenson and Andrew Ryan led the defense. Bubba Le Blanc pitched two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth to preserve the win. For Stony Brook, Jamie McDonald was 3-for-3 with a single, double and triple as Alex Lapinski was 3-for-3 with a double. Robert Linden and Greg Hennessey each went 2-for-3.

 

U9

Turner Construction 2, Rich’s Keys & Locks 1 – Sam Czel singled twice, drove in a run, and fanned six batters in two innings of work on the mound to lead Turner Construction. Julia Monaco and Mason Melillo anchored a solid Turner defense. For Rich’s, Justin Appley went 2-for-2 with three stolen bases and an RBI. Paul  O’Leary led and Jesse Cabral shined in the field.

Associated Refuse 4, PC Metal 2 – Kevin Finnegan and Stephen Panza made outstanding catches in the outfield to stop two rallies and lead Associated to the win. Jaret DeVellis homered to spark the offense as Michael Parker, Chris Calo and DeVellis combined to pitch four scoreless innings. PC Metal received strong pitching from David Matthews, Ethan Carpenter, and Nick Randle. Jeremy Salaris and Devin Luzietti each contributed hits.

Associated Refuse 17, DINA 4 – Jaret DeVellis homered and singled and Chris Calo who tripled and singled with two RBI to lead Associated. Stephen Panza and Michael Parker both hit doubles and James Frazzetta scored three runs. James Leuci and Kevin Finnegan pitched well and Jacob Hill played solid defense. For DINA, Michael Doyle and Andrew Cragin tripled and scored runs and Luke Rustici had three singles and three RBI.

Associated Refuse 13, Newtown Shell 9 – Jaret DeVellis homered and Patrick Berger tripled to lead Associated Refuse. Chris Calo, Michael Parker and Jacob Hill each hit doubles and James Frazzetta and Matthew Ingwersen each had hits. Jared Brady, Holden Turk and Josh Houle pitched well for Newtown Shell.

Associated Refuse 9, Coldwell Banker 0 – Keaton McCleary doubled and singled and Michael Parker rapped two singles to lead Associated. Stephen Pansa also singled. Chris Calo threw two scoreless innings and Patrick Berger pitched a strong inning for Associated. Matthew Ingwersen and James Frazzetta each had stolen bases and scored key runs.

Coldwell Banker 11, DINA 10 – Big hits from Erik Street, Matt Maturo, Liam Palilla and Joey Duero led Coldwell to a come-from-behind win. Tim Vander Have provided good strong pitching for the defense. For DINA, Dillon Palumbo had a solo home run in the fourth to tie up the game. Alister sore and Tim Pritchett both had RBI.

Turner Construction 4, Newtown Financial Mortgage 2 – Sam Czel, Jack Procaccini and Conner Ryan combined to strike out 12 NFM batters enroute to the win. Czel also doubled while Ryan banged out a bases-loaded single. Declan Sullivan drove in a run. For NFM, Jake Courchene-Roy tripled as Curtis Williamson, Albert Dean and Jared Pearson had key hits. Peter Fiorella added two hits for NFM.

U8

Mobil 1 Lube Express 2, Fiorella Insurance 1 – Tommy Leuci, Vijay Makayee and Shawn Fulton all had hits to lead Mobil 1. Matthew Clark looked great on the hill supported by Oliver Wood and Zachary Anderson playing tough defense in the infield. Austin Kasbarian had two base hits and an RBI while Justin Oelberg, Hunter Booker, and Joey Fiorella added numerous base hits for Fiorella.

Mobil 1 Lube Express 9, Raymond James Financial 6 – The Mobil 1 Bluefish won their second in a row sparked by a monster three-run triple off the bat of Ryan Shaw. Justin Dunn added a triple of his own while Kevin Chernoff and Colin Parker each had a pair of hits to lead the ‘Fish. In the field, Shawn Fulton and Sam Duffy were unhittable and Nick Calbo was solid at catcher throughout the game.

Newtown Real Estate 10, Flagpole Realty 10 – Brendan McMahon, Matthew Sodoski and Jake Oliger (HR) powered Newtown Real Estate at the plate while Jonathan Paes, Nicholas Lametto, Clint Stergue and Grant Varnum paced the defense. Tommy Elliott got two big hits, including a bases clearing double for Flagpole. Austin Carfi and Ethan Hoffman also got two hits, including a double each, as Robert Katrinak pitched another strong game.

Gas House Gorillas 14, Newtown Real Estate 2 – Patrick Conte homered and tripled while Bobby Haskins, Jack Moulder, Paul Whitaker, Matthew Kretz, Nick Rohrbacher and Andy Hubina all had doubles to lead the Gorillas. Jake Oliger went 3-for-3 as Colin Patrick and Jonathan Paes collected two hits each to lead Newtown Real Estate.

Gas House Gorillas 7, Onex 2 – Patrick Conte homered as Matthew Kretz, Bobby Haskins and Jack Moulder doubled to lead the Gorillas. For Onex, Nicholas Genovese went 3-for-3 while Matthew Carino’s two-run triple plated the only runs. Derek Streck pitched well while Zachary Laros and Jimmy Stiles played well in the field.

Onex 13, VFW Post (#308) 8 – Eddie Henderson and Matthew Carino each had three hits to lead ONEX. Jeremy Spath, Joshua Headen and Daniel Pearson collected two hits each. For VFW, Charles Soto hit two singles and drove in two runs as Bryan Silk singled and scored. Nathan Sanchez hit a single and scored and Clayton Schneider hit two doubles and scored twice.

Flagpole Realty 12, Burrell & Winans 5 – Chris Blanco had three hits, including a deep home run into center field, to lead Flagpole to the win. Jack Riley and Calvin Savoia hit the ball hard and had key hits in the ballgame. Mike Liberante pitched a strong inning in relief.

Flagpole Realty 9, Burrell & Winans 2 – Austin Leblanc pitched well and played great defensive for Burrell & Winans. John Cagganello played two solid innings of defense behind the plate on the 90 degree day.

Fiorella Insurance 9, Addessi Jewelers 7 – Justin Hull went 3-for-4 with three runs scored to lead Fiorella. Peter Clifford had two strong innings on the mound while Justin Oelberg, Matthew Krasnickas and Justin Gillespie had base hits.

Burrell & Winans 7, Addessi Jewelers 5 – Matt Davis led the way for Burrell & Winans with a triple and two doubles while Brandon Hensel also banged out a triple.