Wilton U-10 Blue Advances to Fairfield Tournament Semifinal game

Pitching, defense and timely hitting have been a winning baseball combination since Abner Doubleday invented the game way back in 1839, but to combine all three takes a degree of skill rarely found in nine year old baseball teams.  The Wilton U-10 Blue squad used all three elements to defeat Trumbull American 5-2 Tuesday night at Gould Field in Fairfield to advance to the semifinals of the Fairfield Nine Year Old All-Star Tournament.

The Warrior defense made itself known early.  Trumbull’s leadoff hitter opened the bottom of the first with a bunt single, but was gunned down trying to steal on the first pitch as catcher Sam Strazza threw a perfect strike to shortstop Everett Andersen who easily applied the tag.  Trumbull did not attempt another steal during the contest.

The Warriors struck first when in the top of the second Jimmy McKiernan led off with a single to center.  McKiernan stole second and when the ball skipped away from the Trumbull shortstop, took off for third, forcing an errant throw from the Trumbull centerfielder, which allowed McKiernan to score.

Starting pitcher Davis Wallon, who was very sharp, pitched two scoreless innings, helped by excellent fielding including two groundouts to short and two fly balls easily tucked away by his teammates.

Dante Filliponi was hit by a pitch to lead off the third.  Aidan Shannon then hit into a force play and while he advanced all the way to third during the inning, was stranded there with Wilton clinging to a 1-0 advantage.

Ryan Van Heyst came on to pitch a scoreless third, then with one out in the top of the fourth the Warriors rallied.  Ryan Sorbo singled to left and Andersen walked.  After a force play at second left runners at the corners with two out, Brian Cipri came through with a line single to left, plating Sorbo.  Wallon next delivered with a near identical hit to score McKiernan, extending the lead to 3-0.

Trumbull struck back for two in the bottom half to close the gap to 3-2.

Wilton went quietly in the fifth and then Andersen came on to pitch in the bottom half looking to close out the final two frames.  Trumbull managed two baserunners on walks, but a strikeout, pop up and snag of a soft liner by Cipri ended the threat.

The Warriors plated two insurance runs in the sixth.  After Jack Tinnen flied out deep to center, the speedy Strazza’s sharp grounder to second was not handled cleanly.  Strazza advanced to third on wild pitches and then Van Heyst, looking to put the ball in play, hit a fly deep to left.  Strazza tagged, and in a close play at the plate, knocked the ball loose from the catcher’s grasp to make it 4-2.  With two outs Sorbo singled for the third time and Andersen followed suit.  On a wild pitch Sorbo raced to third and then home when the catcher’s throw sailed into left field. 

Trumbull came to bat in the bottom of the sixth with the heart of their order, chasing three runs, but the Warriors were up to the task.  Andersen retired the side 1-2-3 with a swinging strikeout, and weak grounders back to the mound and to second base to earn the save in a 5-2 victory.

Wilton will play Fairfield National Blue in the semifinals on Saturday.