Darien Scores and Standings, May 24

UPDATES

Girls Lacrosse: This year, Veteran Darien girls lacrosse coach Lisa Lindley put together a difficult early schedule — including a number of out-of-state national powers — with the hope that it would make her team stronger for the postseason.

The strategy appears to be working like a charm.

The Blue Wave put on a clinic in the FCIAC semifinals Monday night, routing top-seeded Staples 19-5 at New Canaan's Dunning Stadium.

Brynn Gasparino and Dillon Schoem each scored four goals for the Blue Wave (11-7), who will face Wilton in Friday's championship (4 p.m. at McMahon). The Warriors advanced with a 14-11 win over New Canaan in Monday's first semifinal.

Ellie Bullit added three goals and four assists for Darien, which extended its winning streak to seven games.

Lindley pointed to Emily Stein's ability to win faceoffs as one of the keys in the game. In the first half, it seemed the ball was constantly in Staples' end of the field

"I thought the key right from the get-go was the draw control, especially Emily Stein on my team," Lindley said. "She came out with the ball 90 percent of the time. We were able to capitalize when we had the ball in our offensive end. We got momentum and we built upon it."

Staples (16-2) played without leading scorer Meave Flaherty, who was suspended by the CIAC for trying out for the Under-Armour Under-19 New England Regional team last week.

Although Flaherty did not make that squad, she violated a CIAC rule which prevents participation in any non-sanctioned CIAC event during the season. Unless Staples wins an appeal, Flaherty also will not be eligible for the state tournament, which begins next week.

The Wreckers missed Flaherty's offense and her ability on faceoffs. Still, on this night, her presence might not have made a difference.

After surving a scare against Fairfield Ludlowe in the quarterfinals (11-9), the Blue Wave came out fired up Monday, racing to a 6-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest. They overwhelmed Staples in the first half, building a 13-4 cushion at halftime.

"Obviously [not having Flaherty] hurt them, but I have to say I think my team played the best 50 minutes they've played all year," Lindley said. "They passed the ball amazingly through the midfield, they finished on their shots. Defensively in the first half, we were pretty much flawless."

Jena Fritts scored three goals and Stein contributed a pair while Hollis Perticone, Taylor Hardison and Amanda Sommi each scored once for the Blue Wave.

"My girls were ready to play," Lindley added. "We had a tough game on Friday. We barely squeaked out of that. We were focusing on Staples. We didn't see Staples during the year, so we had a point to prove."

Darien Youth Baseball & Softball

• LL Baseball > Minor League > National: Mac McLaughlin's single scored Jared Lopiano with the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning as BMW rallied for an 8-7 win over Upper Crust Bakery on Sunday. BMW took a 6-2 lead in the second inning, but Upper Crust went ahead 7-6 in the top of the fifth. McLaughlin led the BMW offense with two hits and a run scored while Forrest Lazarra and Charlie Zuro also had hits and each scored a run. Christian Marchesi had three hits and scored twice to lead Upper Crust. Henri Pfeifle and Jimmy Fitzpatrick added two hits apiece.
• LL Baseball > Major League > American: Kevin Klarer smacked a game-winning three-run home run as St. Thomas More defeated Brown Thayer Shedd 14-12 on Sunday afternoon. Connor Gonzalez-Fall, who went 4-for-4, started the winning rally with a single. Henry Adiletta then doubled and Gonzalez-Fall followed with his first homer of the season. Casey Brown belted three homers for BTS and also finished 4-for-4.
• LL Baseball > JR Schoen AAA League > American: Despite having only eight players, Osherows Live Wires defeated IST Baseball 9-4 on Sunday afternoon. Jack Conti, Alex Tomasello, Trey Tucci and Ryan Mulliken led the offense for Osherows.
• LL Baseball > Major League > American: Charlie Sealy drove in six runs as the VFW Post 6933 defeated Darien Sport Shop 18-3 on Sunday afternoon. All six of Sealy's RBI came in the fifth inning, when VFW erupted for 13 runs. Sealy, who had a bases-loaded double and a bases-clearing triple in the frame, also pitched a two-hitter and struck out eight.
• LL Baseball > Minor League > American: Matthew Fiorita, AJ Aldredge, Peter Bredahl, Mac MacLean and Tommy Reilly combined on a shutout as Viking Global defeated Darien Doughnut 7-0 on Sunday.
• LL Baseball>Minor League>National: Gardeners Center defeated Grieb's Pharmacy 8-5. in a game played on Thursday. 

MONDAY'S RESULTS

• Softball: Fairfield Warde at Darien (FCIAC quarterfinals), ppnd to Tuesday, 4 p.m.
• Girls lacrosse: Darien 19, Staples 5

TUESDAY'S SCHEDULE

• Softball: Fairfield Warde at Darien, 4 p.m. (FCIAC quarterfinals)
• Boys lacrosse: Darien vs. Wilton at McMahon, 7 p.m.

STANDINGS

* = clinched playoff spot

• Baseball

• Softball

• Boys Lacrosse

• Girls Lacrosse

The Daily Sports Digest is designed for you to add your best photos and/or videos to share (instructions here). If you see anything in our scores, standings, or schedules that requires updating, please e-mail sports editor Bob Birge at bob.birge@hotmail.com