As the start of summer began, the Fairfield Little League baseball season was just coming to a close.
In the annual championship game between the Majors level teams of the Fairfield American and National Little Leagues, the Rays, representing the American side, defeated the Country Cow Deli A's of the National League, 14-4 on Sunday.
The game was ended following the fifth inning after the Rays took a 10-run lead, triggering the town league's mercy rule. The Rays finished an undefeated season with a record of 21-0-1.
Rays starting pitcher Nick Nardone hurled a gem, allowing just one hit in his four innings of work, while also hitting a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning. Nardone had 13 home runs this season. Teammate John Annuzzi also had a home run, driving in two runs in the same fifth inning, part of a Rays rally that the A's would not be able to overcome.
Drew Speckman, the A's starting pitcher, hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth off of Rays relief pitcher Nate Klein with his team trailing 14-1. But the A's could not get another run on the board, which would have sent the game into a sixth inning.
The Rays roster also consists of: Nick Conzelman, Connor Daley, Gabe Dumoulin, Harry Graham, Sean Gutierrez, Matt Kubel, Tommy Malone, Sam Nardone and Jack West.
Summer house league play, which will include players not chosen for the league's tournament and district teams, begins on June 28. Nick Nardone will be playing for the 12-year-old district tournament team, which will compete against area towns.
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