SHARE

Fairfield LL Blasts Back in Bristol

A third inning rally against Vermont kicked Fairfield American Little League's high-powered offense, led by Nick Nardone and Patrick O'Leary, back into gear in the New England Regional on Saturday night. Fairfield used that inning to spark a 7-4 victory in its second game (1-1). Fairfield’s 11-and 12-year-olds are representing Connecticut at Breen Field in Bristol. Nardone and O'Leary said after the game that the team was relaxed and loose in the third even though they were being no-hit, and had not scored yet in the tournament. Manager Chris Daley said staying loose is "never a problem," exemplified in the "Mohawk" hair-do's the team sports."We knew we had a whole half of the game left, we have scored like eight runs in a game before in one inning, so we had no worries. [We] just put the bat on the ball, stayed patient at the plate and it came through," said Nardone. Down 3-0 in the bottom of the third Fairfield scored four runs to overtake the Shelburne, Vermont Little League on just one hit. Tommy Ryan, Chris Howell and Nardone walked to start the inning. Starting pitcher Jack Quinn hit a hard groundball to second base, and the first Fairfield run scored on an error. Nate Klein then hit a RBI bunt single, Nardone scored on a wild pitch and Quinn scored on a groundout to give Fairfield the 4-3 lead.Quinn got into trouble in the next inning putting two on with one out, but Eddie Magi came in and kept the lead for Fairfield, forcing a groundout and then striking out Shea Ireland.Magi did allow Vermont to tie the score in the top of the fifth. But then it was O'Leary's turn to step up. After Billy McGrath reached on an error, O'Leary delivered the game-winning two-run home run. Ryan hit a home run in the next at bat for an insurance run to make it 7-4 and then O'Leary came in to close out the game in the sixth. He loaded the bases with one out, but worked out of trouble. "You never want to go down 0-2 in a short pool play," Daley said. "This was a big win for us, but it doesn't take the pressure off."Fairfield is off Sunday and then plays Monday against New Hampshire at 8 p.m. Fairfield lost 2-0 against Rhode Island on Friday. 

to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE