DARIEN, Conn. Darien's 12-year-old softball All-Stars are returning to the Section 1 Little League Tournament, and the girls are bringing an explosive offense with them.
Darien defended its District 1 title Sunday by pounding Ridgefield, 10-0, in a five-inning mercy rule win at McGuane Park. The victory sends Darien to the Section 1 Tournament beginning Thursday in Trumbull.
Cassidy Schiff slugged a two-run home run, Sami Aparicio smacked three hits and scored three runs and Lexi Lopiano allowed four hits in a complete-game shutout to lead Darien. Lopiano is the only player back from last year's team that won the District 1 title. Most of the girls were on the 10-year-old team that also won a District 1 title and won two games in sectional competition last year.
"These girls just love to play softball,'' coach Chris Lopiano said. "They can't wait to get out and play."
Darien rolled through the district, going 6-0 and outscoring opponents, 77-15. It beat Ridgefield, 15-3, earlier in the tournament.
Aparicio scored after a one-out double in the first. Schiff struck out but reached first on a dropped third strike. Aparicio scored on a throwing error on the same play. Darien tacked on three runs in the third on an RBI double by Cassie Lopiano, Aparicio's RBI single and Jess Carlo's groundout.
Schiff's two-run homer, her first of the season, highlighted a five-run fourth. Aparicio and Sophia Barbour also had RBIs in the inning. Barbour's RBI single in the fifth ended the game. Zazi Fee also had two hits for Darien, which had 11 for the game.
Lexi Lopiano pitched out of trouble in the first after two runners reached base. Left fielder Julia Ford made a nice catch in the second to start a double play to end the inning. Lopiano allowed just one hit the rest of the way.
Darien plays its first game in sectional play Thursday at Unity Park at 5:30 against Seymour, the champion from District 3.
What do you think of Darien's victory in the District 1 Little League tournament? Start the discussion below!
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