Fairfield Cruises in Regional Opener

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Brittany Romero and Gabby Natoli combined on a no-hitter and Fairfield took advantage of seven errors by Swanton, Vt., to cruise to a four-inning, 16-0 victory in the first round of the Little League Eastern Regional Friday in Bristol.

Fairfield plays its second game Saturday at 4 p.m. against Massachusetts. The tournament continues through next week.

“It feels good when you get that first win in any tournament,’’ Romero said. “Whether it’s districts or states or regionals, you want to get that first win.”

Romero pitched two innings, struck out two and walked two. Natoli finished up, and struck out two and walked one. Vermont tested catcher Alice Nelson n the first inning, when the first two runners reached on walks. Both were caught stealing. “I’m not sure they thought I could throw it down there,’’ Nelson said. “I think I surprised them.” Nelson also picked a runner off of first in the second inning.

Fairfield scored one in the first on Sarah Cotto’s RBI single, and broke it open with five in the second. Eliza Elliot’s single led off the inning, which also featured singles by Romero and Cotto and walks to Natoli and Julia Wilson. Vermont also made three errors in the inning.

Fairfield added three in the third, with Romero smashing a two-run single and Natoli also hitting a run-scoring single. Nelson’s two-run double down the left field line highlighted a seven-run fourth that put the game out of reach. Nelson had three RBIs.

Fairfield had 11 hits for the game, with nearly every player on the roster making an offensive contribution. Romero had three hits, four RBIs and three runs scored, while Cotto had two hits and two RBIs. In its first Eastern Regional game, Fairfield showed it belongs. In a big way.

“We told them to keep doing what we’ve been doing,’’ manager Jarry Rasmussen said. “We were reminding them of the same three or four things that we talk about every game. I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted a game like this. I don’t think it was reflective of how even the game was.”

Are you surprised by Fairfield's rout in Game 1? Start the discussion below!

Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.