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STAMFORD, Conn. North Stamford's Little League All-Stars closed out their Section 1 tournament Monday with an 11-3 thumping of North Haven. The team finished 2-2 in the tournament, tied with East Haven and Shelton National, and narrowly missed making the Section 1 championship game.
North Stamford needed to win by about 14 runs against East Haven to advance to the title contest. With three teams tied at 2-2, the difference came down to a mathematical formula involving runs allowed and defensive innings. North Stamford jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but couldn't pile up enough runs. "Fairfield helped us by beating Shelton,'' manager Dave Grafstein said. "We had a shot, and that's all we wanted. It's unrealistic to expect to win by that kind of margin."
Fairfield American (4-0) defeated North Stamford, 10-5, on Saturday. The Stamford team opened the tournament with a 6-5 win over Berlin, and then lost to Shelton National, 12-0, in its second game. That loss cost North Stamford a shot to play for the Section 1 title. "We had to come right back in 100 degree weather against a team that had a bye in the first game, and we had to face their ace,'' Grafstein said. "No excuses, but we looked flat and we played flat. That's the one game we wish we had back."
Alex Mella hit two home runs and Grant Stone slugged a grand slam during North Stamford's win Monday. Stone got the victory, with relief help from Hunter Semmel. Ryan Cahill also had an RBI single.
The game closed the books on a terrific two-year run for the North Stamford All-Stars, who also won the District 1 title in the 11-year-old tournament last year. The team battled its way to another District 1 title this year, beating National Lione in the championship game.
"We played our best ball when we had to,'' Grafstein said. "We didn't play great leading up to districts, and we played our best in the final two games to win that. We showed our character when it mattered the most."
Many of the same players will travel to play with the team in a tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y., next month.
What is your favorite memory of North Stamford's long run in Little League play? Start the discussion below!
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