By Steve Bigham

SOUTH MERIDEN – After capturing the Babe Ruth (Cal Ripken) District 4 title last week, Newtown’s 11-year-old all stars are now gearing up for play in this week’s state championship tournament in South Meriden.

This talented group – slated to begin play Wednesday night against Bolton – was expected to do well, especially after its fine performance so far this summer. Timely hitting, good defense and a boat load of pitching has been the benchmark of this team.

The locals advanced to the state tournament July 11 with a 9-5 victory over Danbury at Glander Field in Newtown. A total of two games were concluded that night as both Newtown and Danbury finished the game started July 10. That game had been suspended due to darkness in the 11th inning, tied 1-1. Danbury, needing to beat Newtown twice, returned the next day to win, 3-1, in 13 innings. The game lasted a total of four hours.

Despite the tough loss, Newtown regrouped, and after a short break, returned to the diamond and made quick work of Danbury in the second game. PJ Cochrane and Alex Magoulas both singled in the first inning and were promptly plated on Tony Gallucci’s mammoth three-run homer.

Newtown put the game away in the second inning when it scored four more runs. Jason Smith’s single with one out got things rolling. Bob Lapple walked and both runners then advanced on a wild pitch. From there, Stefan Toi singled in a run, Cochrane was hit by a pitch then stole second, and Magoulas singled in a run. Finally, Gallucci stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run double, giving him five RBI in just two innings.

The All Stars picked up two more runs in the fourth inning as pinch hitter Kurtis Liska doubled deep to left center, driving home Gallucci and Tyler Tarantino, who had both singled earlier in the inning.

Danbury tried to rally, but was stymied by the overpowering fastball of Newtown pitcher Joe Greenfield. Gallucci also pitched well in the win.

Bob Lapple, Pete Cochrane and Brian Rodden coach the 11-year-olds.