Sports

Junior Legion Wins in Spectacular Fashion

The Naugatuck team scored three runs in the bottom of the last inning to pull out a first-round state tournament victory.

A strategic move backfired on the Stamford Junior American Legion baseball team Monday night in a state playoff game against Naugatuck

With the game tied at four in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, Stamford elected to intentionally walk Naugatuck's fourth and fifth batters to load the bases. With no outs and Jason Bradley at third - he previously hit a two-run triple in the inning - Stamford was hoping for a force out at home plate and a possible double play later in the inning.

But Ethan Mester, Naugy's number six batter, ripped a shot through the heart of that plan. He drilled a line drive to the left-center field gap, easily scoring Bradley. Naugatuck won 5-4 to advance to the state quarterfinals on Wednesday, while knocking off last year's state champion, Stamford.

"I was expecting them to try to load the bases," Mester said. "I knew that if I didn't get the job done, my teammates would. So I was just looking for a good pitch to get in the air and drive to the outfield."

Naugatuck had almost two weeks off because it won its district title and had a two-round bye in the state playoffs. The rust showed a bit on Monday; the team didn't score until the fifth inning.

"We gave up some cheap hits early and couldn't get it done at the plate for a while," Coach Matt D'Agnone said. "It's always tough to play down two in the seventh inning, but our guys stayed tough when they had their backs against the wall."

Bradley was three-for-four with three RBI, while Josh Aviles was two-for-three at the plate. Kyle Plasky walked to lead off the seventh inning, while Aviles hit safely. They scored on Bradley's triple. Stamford then walked Spencer Dreher and Evan Pelliccia.

Dreher, Naugatuck's ace, pitched a complete game for Naugy, striking out four and walking three. He improves to 7-0 on the mound this season. 

Naugatuck (18-2) will play Fairfield at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bethel High School, 300 Whittlesey Drive, Bethel. 


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