Bombers Beat Gold Rush In Title Game

The Newtown 8-year-old Blue Bombers edged out the Newtown Gold Rush, 16-12 in the championship game of the Friendship Tournament, hosted by the Beth-Wood Baseball League in Woodbridge, this past week.

The Newtown teams each won their respective divisions and went undefeated in tournament play to reach the final game on July 28.

“Fourteen teams from across the state entered this tournament, and the last two teams standing were from Newtown,” said Jim Robinson, manager of the Blue Bombers. “That’s a remarkable accomplishment not only for our players, but for Newtown Babe Ruth Baseball.”

The Blue Bombers took an early 7-0 lead with first inning RBIs off the bats of Anthony Dorazio and Will Swift. Josh Taylor doubled in the second to score Tristan Andrew, Connor Haywood followed with a double of his own to bring home Taylor, and Shaine Luzietti singled to bring in Haywood. The Blue Bombers added two in the top of the third with RBI singles from Thomas Armstrong and Aidan Finnegan.

In the bottom of the third with the score 7-0, the Gold Rush bats exploded for six runs. John Godino, Jake D’Andrea, Joey Rios, and Matt Bradbury each knocked in a run, and Tom Tavar cracked a double to bring home two runners.

The Blue Bombers added to their lead in the top of the fourth with another six runs. Dorazio and Armstrong each knocked in two runners, and Jake Pare and Brett Melchionno each had an RBI. In the top of the fifth, Luzietti added to the Blue Bombers’ lead by driving home two more runs.

The Gold Rush came back in the bottom of the fifth with another six runs. Rios shot a line drive to right field to bring in two, and Tavar, CJ Giacin, Liam Murphy, and Reagin Gallagher each delivered RBIs, bringing the score to 15-12.

Dillon Robinson started the sixth with a double for the Blue Bombers. He scored on a single by Finnegan. The Blue Bombers went on to hold the Gold Rush scoreless in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.

CJ Demers and Stephen Dooley each went 3-for-3 for the Gold Rush, and Andrew Cicciari and Eamon Doherty provided great defensive support.

The Blue Bombers were managed by Robinson who was assisted by Ted Hannan, Brian Pare, and Adam Taylor. The Gold Rush were managed by Rich Giacin who was assisted by Glenn Bradbury, Shannon Doherty and Joe Rios. Both teams ended the 2011 summer travel season with an impressive 10-1 record.