Fairfield American Little League Baseball
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2009 11 District

Championship Games Recap

In Game 1 on Monday, Fairfield combined a four-run 1st inning outburst on hits from Tom Ryan, Chris Howell, Nick Nardone and Nate Klein with stellar pitching from Eddie Magi (4 hits and 7 strikeouts scattered over 5.2 innings) to cruise to a 7-0 victory. Other game highlights included a two-run homer by Chris Howell, a delayed steal of home by Nate Klein, a triple by Billy Mc Grath, stellar base running by Patrick O'Leary and an unbelievable 8-3 double play turned by Chris Howell to an outstretched Owen Mockler.

In Game 2 on Tuesday, Fairfield again jumped out to an early lead by scoring three times in the first inning. Tom Ryan (walk), Chris Howell (single) and Nick Nardone (walk) all reached base to start the game, with Patrick Calabrese also walking to drive in the initial run. Connor Daley then worked out another walk for an RBI, with Nate Klein hitting into a fielder's choice to push across the final run of the inning.

Nick Nardone retired Burlington in the first inning without a run, but Burlington tied the game with one run in the 2nd inning and two runs in the 3rd inning, despite an outstanding diving attempt by Brendan Mockler on a sinking line-drive single. The score remained 3-3 through the 4th inning as both teams displayed good defense and pitching, with Nardone striking out the side to end his day on the mound after four complete innings.

In the top of the 5th inning, Fairfield exploded for five runs as Chris Howell, Nick Nardone, Patrick Calabrese and Connor Daley all had consecutive base hits. Billy Mc Grath executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to drive in another run. Nate Klein was then hit by a pitch, while Owen Mockler and Tom Ryan followed with singles to close out the scoring.

After Chris Howell pitched a scoreless bottom of the 5th inning, Fairfield tallied their final run of the game in the top of the 6th inning when Nick Nardone singled, stole 2nd base, moved to 3rd base on a groundout by Patrick Calabrese and came home on a sacrifice fly by Connor Daley. Trailing 9-3 going into the bottom of the 6th inning, Burlington mounted a furious rally as they sent ten men to the plate. The highlight of the inning came with one out, the bases loaded and the score 9-6, as the Burlington batter launched a long fly ball towards the left-centerfield gap. Nick Nardone, playing center, immediately broke back and towards his right to make a leaping grab to protect Fairfield's lead.

The game ended two batters later when Chris Howell retired the final Burlington player on a swinging strikeout.

  Patrick Calabrese
  Connor Daley
  Chris Howell
  Nate Klein
  Eddie Magi
  Billy Mcgrath
  Brendan Mockler
  Owen Mockler
  Nick Nardone
  Patrick O'Leary
  Tom Ryan

  Manager - Chris Daley
                Work:   203.292.6616
                Mobile: 203.521.0027
                Home:   203.255.8617
                Email:  cddaley@aol.com

  Coaches - Larry Klein
                Work:   203.292.6546
                Mobile: 203.913.4988
                Home:   203.319.0192
                Email:  larrymklein@yahoo.com

             Brian Mcgrath
                Work:   203.708.6550
                Mobile: 203.505.1920
                Email:  bmcgrath@jefferies.com