Dodgers Reach Tourney Semifinals

The Connecticut Dodgers 13U baseball team, based out of Newtown, played exceptional baseball in the Triple Crown Baseball Independence Day Shootout in North Branford, recently. The team reached the semifinal round against opponents from throughout the state.

In their opening game the Dodgers survived early scoring by the Connecticut Owls and rallied in the last inning to win 5-4. Geoff Santore looked sharp on the mound and Danny Pearson led the offense with three hits and two runs batted in. Matt Gerics, Dylan Tyrell, Matt Davis, Ryan Shaw, Jake Oliger, Jack Moulder, and Michael Capaldo all had quality at bats as well. 

In the second game, against the Connecticut Nationals, a second inning rally sparked an 11-3 win for the Dodgers. Shaw racked up five RB’s with two hits while Moulder looked sharp on the mound, allowing only one hit. Davis had three hits, while Moulder, Gerics, and Chris Blanco each contributed two hits. Oliger, Santore, and Jamie Cochrane also had hits for the Dodgers. Excellent defensive plays were made by Cochrane and Oliger.

Tyrell helped lead the Dodgers to their 2-1 victory over the Cheshire Reds with two hits and strong pitching over five innings. Santore pitched the final two innings, allowing no hits. At the plate, several players had solid at bats, including Blanco, Davis, Cochrane, and Capaldo. In the top of the fifth inning, Pearson doubled and was driven home by a perfectly-executed sacrifice bunt laid down by Moulder for difference.

In the Dodgers’ fourth contest of the weekend, they dropped an 8-0 decision to the Connecticut Pirates in the semifinal game. The Dodgers, who were seeded third among 11 teams, displayed great teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the entire tournament.