Lightning Places Third In Jimmy Fund Tournament

The Newtown Lightning U15 baseball team split four games to finish in third place in the annual Jimmy Fund Tournament in Bethel last week. The Lightning close out the regular season this week and begin summer-league playoffs on Sunday. Jimmy Fund tourney results are as follows:

Danbury 9, Lightning 8: Trailing 9-2 in the sixth inning, the Lightning struck for six runs but fell short at Bethel High School Field. Newtown capitalized on five walks, an error, an infield single by  Ben Stoller and a bunt single by Nicky Sajovic to narrow the lead to 9-8 after six innings. The Lightning’s James Rebman walked and stole second with two outs in the final inning, but Danbury starting pitcher Ben Ghannam, who had returned to the mound to stop Newtown’s sixth-inning rally, struck out the final Lightning batter. Ghannam had struck out six Newtown hitters in 5 2/3 hitless innings, when the Lightning’s John Hampford singled to deep shortstop to break up the no-hitter. The game’s defensive highlight was a sliding catch in left center by left fielder Rebman with runners at second and third in the third inning.

Lightning 6, Bethel 5: With both teams facing elimination and the game tied 4-4 in extra innings, the Lightning’s Cole Baldino drilled a double down the left field line to score Ian Kirner with the winning run at Bethel Middle School Field. Kirner had reached first on an infield single and moved to second on Ryan O’Keefe’s sacrifice bunt. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Bethel had the potential winning runs on base — at first and third — with two outs. But Lightning closer Greg Frattaroli refused to bend, inducing a fly ball to center fielder John Hampford who reached over his head to squeeze the final out. It was the third of three shutout innings by reliever Frattaroli, who became the winning pitcher and also had two hits and an RBI. Baldino, who also singled and walked, was named the game’s outstanding player. O’Keefe finished the game with three RBIs, including a two-RBI bases-loaded single. Kirner had a big offensive game, smashing a double to deep right and scoring two runs, including the game-winner. Lightning starting pitcher Alex Saviano hurled five strong innings but was victimized by a slew of errors.

Lightning 13, Ridgefield 6: Trailing 2-0, the Lightning exploded for five first-inning runs and never looked back at Bethel Middle School Field. The win moved the Lightning into the Jimmy Fund semifinals. The big blow was Ian Kirner’s bases-loaded double over the right fielder’s head to drive in Cole Baldino and Greg Frattaroli. Ryan O’Keefe walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run during the inning. It was the first of four RBIs for O’Keefe, who was named the game’s outstanding player. O’Keefe drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning and knocked in another run with an infield grounder in the sixth inning. Kirner scored three runs, and James Rebman, Parker Lintz and Alex Saviano each scored twice for the Lightning. Frattaroli pitched four solid innings, and Nicky Sajovic got the save by getting out of a bases-loaded, seventh-inning jam without yielding a run. Lightning catcher Kyler Harmeling caught a strong game, preventing many wild pitches by stopping numerous balls in the dirt.

Danbury 16, Lightning 8: Trailing 7-3 after three innings, the Lightning battled back to take an 8-7 sixth-inning lead before collapsing at Bethel High School Field. Down 7-6 in the sixth inning, the Lightning pulled a double steal — with Cole Baldino pilfering second and Anthony Maki stealing the plate — to tie the game.

Greg Frattaroli followed by crushing an RBI double to left field to give Newtown the lead. But Danbury responded by slapping seven sixth-inning hits to put the game away. Maki scored three runs and knocked in another with a long double to right field for the Lightning. Baldino also doubled to drive in a run.

Connecticut Summer League Game:

Norwalk 19, Lightning 8: The Lightning scored four runs in the first inning, but Norwalk responded with five in the inning and went on to win the slugfest Sunday at Norwalk’s Town Hall Field. The Lightning’s Greg Frattaroli smacked a long double to score Cole Baldino and Anthony Maki for the Lightning’s first two runs. Ben Stoller drilled an RBI single to left field to plate Frattaroli. Stoller moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored when the third baseman couldn’t handle the catcher’s throw. Singles by Maki and Nick Sajovic produced two more runs, and teammate Ian Kirner reached on two singles.