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Every kid who plays baseball imagines being at the plate in the final inning with the bases loaded, two outs, the count full and a trip to the World Series on the line. Fairfield American had to survive the real thing Saturday and passed the test. Scintillating pitching, fantastic defense and one crucial run lifted Fairfield over Cumberland, R.I., to the New England regional championship and all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
Nick Nardone pitched the game of his young life, holding the potent Rhode Island offense to just one hit in 5 2/3 innings while striking out nine. After a disputed hit batsman call in the bottom of the sixth rattled Nardone, he walked the bases loaded, reached his pitch limit, and was taken out of the game.
Suddenly, Rhode Island had a chance to win the game on one swing. But Eddie Magi didn't let the national television audience faze him as he struck out the one batter he faced in relief, sending Fairfield into a frenzy.
"I was freaking out," said Nardone, who moved to shortstop for the last batter. "Eddie did great, though. He came in in a huge pressure situation and just shut them down. I just sprinted in and hugged all my teammates. It was awesome."
The only offense of the night came from the bat of shortstop Tommy Ryan, who just cleared the left field fence with a solo home run in the top of the third. After that, the few Cumberland batters who were not struck out by Nardone were victims of incredible Fairfield defensive plays. Chris Howell made a leaping catch in center to rob extra bases. Connor Daley nailed a key runner trying to steal second, and Ryan made an incredible backhanded stab on a grounder with the tying run at third.
"We beat an extremely good Rhode Island team," Fairfield manager Chris Daley said. "I am so proud of this team. These guys worked so hard and they definitely deserve this."
Fairfield will now try to become the first team from Connecticut to win the Little League World Series since Trumbull in 1989. They will take on the Northwest champion, Auburn, Wash., on Friday, Aug. 20, at 1 p.m. Click here for the game's box score.
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