Back-To-Back — Blackhawks Defend Championship With Success

For the second consecutive year, the Newtown Blackhawks’ U11 baseball team went undefeated to win Bethel’s Al Leonard Jimmy Fund Tournament. Newtown defeated West Norwalk 5-0 this past Saturday to win the championship. The win raised the Blackhawks’ 2009 tournament record to 7-1. The tournament summary is as follows:

Newtown 6, Danbury 2: Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the third, Newtown erupted for four runs on consecutive hits by Jaret Devellis, Michael Parker, Dave Matthews (RBI double) and Tim Krapf (RBI double). Michael Doyle drove in the fourth run with a single. Newtown added two more in the fourth.

On the mound, Parker allowed only one run in four innings of work. Matthews struck out five in the last two innings to complete the victory. Devellis, Parker and Connor Miller each had two hits. Parker and Matthews scored twice, and Krapf had three RBI.

Newtown 10, West Norwalk 2: In their most complete game of the season, the Blackhawks scored early and often in beating last year’s runners-up. Krapf singled to lead off the second and was driven in by Matt Maturo. With one out, Griffin Davis pulled a 2-1 fastball down the left field line for a long two-run homer. Jack Proccaccini scored on a wild pitch to complete the scoring. In the third, Zac Aumueller drove in Krapf, and Doyle scored on a wild pitch. In the fourth, Krapf doubled in Matthews, who had singled. Newtown added three more in the fifth as Doyle, Alex Klang, and Proccaccini scored on RBI singles by Proccaccini and Parker.

Matthews picked up the win with three innings of no-hit ball. Luke Rustici pitched two strong innings, and Parker struck out two in his one inning of work.

Krapf went 3-for-3 and Parker added two hits. Doyle, Proccaccini and Krapf each scored twice, and Davis and Parker knocked in two apiece.

Newtown 5, New Canaan 4 (9 innings): In the most exciting game of the tournament, Newtown came from behind twice to avenge its 2008 state semifinal lose against the defending regional champs. Newtown got on the board in the second when Maturo singled and eventually scored when Miller worked a bases loaded walk. With two outs in the fifth and trailing 2-1, Matthews hit a slow roller to first for what looked like the third out. However, he streaked down the line and slid into first, avoiding the tag. On the next pitch, Krapf tripled to right to tie the game.

Newtown’s fielders helped keep the game tied over the next two innings, as catcher Krapf picked off a runner at first in the sixth, Klang made a nice catch in right field and Rustici snagged a line drive at third with two on and two out in the seventh.

In the top of the eighth, New Canaan broke through for two runs to take a 4-2 lead. Things could have been worse, but Krapf threw out a runner trying to stretch a double into a triple. In the bottom half, Newtown displayed its trademark resiliency. Maturo led off with a single and came around to score on a grounder by Rustici. With two outs and the game on the line, Proccaccini lined a single to score Doyle and tie the game. Rustici pitched a scoreless ninth to hold New Canaan. In the bottom half, Parker led off with a single and moved to third on two ground outs. He then scored the winning run on a wild pitch.

On the mound, Matthews gave up only one earned run in the first three innings and Parker held New Canaan scoreless during the middle four innings. Rustici picked up the victory in two innings of relief.

Proccaccini was 3-for-3 and Maturo added two hits and scored two runs.

Newtown 5, West Norwalk 0: Newtown’s pitching was dominant as Matthews (three innings), Aumueller (one) and Parker (two) combined on a three-hit, no-walk masterpiece in the title game. Matthews used his superior fastball, Parker his baffling change-up, and Aumueller a little bit of both as they kept a strong-hitting West Norwalk team off balance for the entire game.

Devellis manufactured a run in the first as he was hit by a pitch, move to third on two passed balls, and dashed home on a grounder to short. In the third, Parker singled and scored on a single by Krapf. The Blackhawks got some breathing room in the fourth as Maturo doubled, Doyle and Aumueller singled and Proccaccini hit a two-run double over the leftfielder. The final run scored on a double by Parker and a single by Rustici.

Krapf picked off another runner at first and Devellis made a diving catch in center (both in the fifth inning). Proccaccini (shortstop) and Doyle (second base) made several strong stops to help keep West Norwalk scoreless.

Parker and Matthews had two hits, with Parker scoring twice and Proccaccini knocking in two.

For the tournament, Newtown had a team earned run average of 2.00. Opponents batted .202 (just 21 hits in 27 innings). Parker gave up only one earned run in 11 innings of work. Matthews gave up only two earned runs over 11 innings. Newtown banged out 36 hits. Parker had seven, Krapf six and Proccaccini five. Proccaccini batted a sizzling .625 and Parker .583. Parker scored six runs and Doyle and Maturo four each. Krapf knocked in six and Proccaccini four. Parker was named tournament MVP.