12 INTRO

Playing their first game ever on a 90-foot baseball field, the Newtown Reds defeated New Milford, 6-3, at Walnut Tree Field in Sandy Hook.

Five Reds pitchers – Richie Sandler, Jon Hull, Kyle Wilcox, John Lebinski and Nicky Sajovic – combined on a three-hitter to stifle New Milford’s offense.

The Reds are one of three Newtown teams playing in the fall league, which is comprised of seventh- and eighth-grade athletes.

After yielding an unearned run in the first inning, the Reds tied the score in the bottom half. Wilcox walked, moved to third on a passed ball and a groundout, and scored on an RBI groundout by Mike Allwein.

Newtown scored four more in the second inning. Lebinski and Mike Scharfenberg singled, and Sajovic walked to load the bases. Ryan Daignault and Kevin Shpunt walked to drive in runs; John Hampford slapped an RBI grounder, and Daignault scored from third when the New Milford catcher threw to first to complete a strikeout.

Sajovic scored Newtown’s final run on an RBI groundout by Shpunt.

Defensively, Newtown was outstanding. Daignault started two double plays, nailing two runners off base after catching a popup at second base in the second inning and a fly ball to centerfield in the fourth inning. In the seventh inning, right fielder Eric Terhaar fielded two groundballs through the infield and pegged to outstretched first baseman Ben Stoller for the final two outs.

In other games –

 

New Milford 6, Reds 3

New Milford rebounded from a 3-0 fourth-inning deficit to upend Newtown in New Milford.

Newtown broke up a scoreless game in the third inning. Kyle Wilcox walked, moved to second on a single by Richie Sandler, stole third and scored on a wild pitch. After Ben Stoller walked, John Hampford smacked an RBI single that scored Sandler and was booted by the New Milford left fielder. Stoller also scored on the miscue.

But New Milford rallied for three fourth-inning runs and three sixth-inning runs to walk away with a victory.

Newtown pitcher Jon Hull threw two no-hit, shutout innings. Sandler also hurled a scoreless inning, and John Lebinski came in to stop a New Milford rally, facing two batters without yielding a hit.

Ridgefield KBI 8, Reds 4

Down 8-2 in the last inning, the Reds battled back in their last at-bat but fell short in Ridgefield Sunday.

Ridgefield broke open a 3-2 game with five runs in the fifth inning. Ridgefield got just two singles in the inning but capitalized on walks, two fielding errors, wild pitches and a hit by pitch.

Newtown tried to battle back, loading the bases on walks to Jon Hull and Kyle Wilcox, and a single by Eric Terhaar. Richie Sandler and Mike Scharfenberg walked to drive in runs before Ridgefield quelled the uprising. In his previous at-bat in the fourth inning, Scharfenberg crushed a ball to right center but was robbed of a hit when the Ridgefield right fielder threw a strike to second base for a force out.

Defensively, the Reds made three stellar plays. Hull picked a runner off second base in the second inning, and second baseman Ryan Daignault snagged a pop fly and threw to first baseman Kevin Shpunt for a double play in the same inning. In the fifth inning, Scharfenberg dove to his right to snag a grounder and flipped to pitcher Nicky Sajovic for an out.

Sandler pitched two impressive innings, striking out four batters. He yielded a single run and one hit.

8/9

 

The Newtown Lightning defeated Southbury, 7-5, in a well played game at Liberty field.

The Lightning were led by the hitting of Trevor Palmer, Jamie Cochrane, Stephen Brittin and Matthew Stewart, who all had key hits. Declan Sullivan had two hits and Peter Clifford had a big double to ignite the offense. Matthew St. Jean stole home and Michael Ziluck also stole a key base.

Zach Aumueller pitched three strong innings and Matthew St. Jean and Declan Sullivan also pitched well.

In other games –

Lightning 8, Southbury 4

Jamie Cochrane hit a key two-run double and pitched two strong innings to lead Newtown to victory. Michael Parker, Stephen Brittin, Declan Sullivan and Zach Aumueller pitched well to limit the Southbury offense. Owen Samson, Matthew St. Jean, and Matthew Stewart all made nice defensive plays.

Gladiators 15, Southbury 3

Glen Damota went 4-for-4 and scored four runs to lead the Gladiator offense.  Alex Daignault collected two hits and knocked in four RBI while Austin Huffman reached base three times scoring each time to help pace the offense.

Defensively, Luke Rustici struck out six batters in two innings of work while Alex Klang pitched two innings of no run ball.  Spencer Johnson made two putouts while playing second base.

 

Gladiators 4, Southbury 1

Matt Hess had a hit and pulled off a perfect delayed steal of home plate while Alex Daignault hit a double, plating a run to lead the Gladiator offense in a low-scoring game.

Defensively, Luke Rustici struck out five batters in two innings of work while Glen Damota pitched two innings of no run ball.

Gladiators 3, Brookfield 2

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Dylan Tyrrell made a crucial play in the field to seal the win for Newtown. Paul Whitaker and Tyrrell each collected timely hits while Brian Kerins scored the winning run with key base running to pace the Gladiator offense.

Defensively, Alex Daignault and Matt Hess combined to throw out four Brookfield base runners at second and third base while Luke Rustici struck out five batters in three innings of work.