Marinello's Pizza won the AAA Division of the Norwalk Little League and finished the season 23-1 after defeating Mathews Restoration, 9-0, in the championship game. Joey Benicaso pitched six innings of one-hit ball in the final. He struck out eight and pitched to the minimum 18 batters as the defense turned two double plays.
Nick Covino led the offense by going 2-for-2, including a bases-loaded triple. Mike DiIorio had two hits and four RBIs. Chris Restaino and Benicaso added two hits apiece.
Marinello's won an epic 11-10 contest over Mathews earlier in the tournament, sending the game into extra innings with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Jack Smith's three-run hit in the sixth tied the game, and Mike DiIorio drove home the winning run in the seventh.
The team's only loss was a 5-4 setback to Rowayton Pizza in May. Rowayton Pizza scored two runs in the top of the sixth to earn the win.
Marinello's team includes Miles Andriopoulous, Joey Benicaso, Nathan Brenn, Nick Covino, Steven DeMarco, Michael DiIorio, Nick DiIorio, Nick Granata, Jack Letizia, Chris Restaino, Jack Smith, Will Smith and Ryan Wolfe. Mike DiIorio managed the team.
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