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FAIRFIELD, Conn. The Fairfield American All-Stars defeated Rhode Island Tuesday in the New England Region Little League Tournament, and they need to do it again Thursday to take the next step toward Williamsport.
Fairfield, which went 3-1 in pool play, finished as the No. 2 seed in New England. It meets Rhode Island Thursday at 3 p.m. in the semifinals. The victor advances to Saturday's championship game vs. the winner between top-seeded New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Fairfield's game Thursday will be televised by New England Sports Network.
Fairfield's hitting statistics through pool play were overwhelming. It hit 10 home runsthe other five teams in the region combined for 11and had a batting average of .434. The Americans scored 37 runs, 10 more than Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Fairfield pitchers had the best team ERA, 2.18, and allowed the fewest runs, 10.
Eddie Schwartz, who threw 35 pitches in Tuesday's win over Rhode Island, is expected to start Thursday. Jack Oricoli, who relieved Schwartz in Tuesday's victory, will be unavailable to pitch Thursday, manager Kevin Flynn said. Schwartz has struck out 10 batters in 5 1/3 innings in the tournament thus far, including five in 1 2/3 innings on Tuesday.
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