Local Sports Notebook: Middletown Comes Oh So Close

Middletown began the Little League 9/10 Softball Section 2 tournament game at Seamster Park in East Hampton on Thursday in need of a victory and a little help, too, if it was to advance to the championship game on Friday.

Winners of its first two games, the Middletown All-Stars had lost its last two, and Simsbury, with its 3-1 record, was next. That might be enough for some teams to fold up the tent and start thinking of a summer put on hold by their success.

If not, falling behind 6-0 in the first inning surely would. But not these girls.

Middletown fought back and tied the score 6-6 in the top of the fifth inning. Better yet, that help they needed? They got it. Waterford South had lost 10-0 in four innings to Norwich/Preston. A date in the championship game on Friday was there for the taking.

It just wasn’t meant to be. Simsbury scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth and went on to win, 11-7.

“All I ask from them is give an effort and they gave an effort,” coach Mark Tine said. “They played 13 games in a three-week span and they went 10-3. They won a District Championship. … They fought back the whole time.”

Thursday night was no different.

After Alexandra Marchand singled and came around to score in the second inning, Middletown added three more in the third. Mikayla Tine, Dominique Highsmith (two hits) and Marchand all walked and later scored to trim the deficit to 6-4.

While this was happening, word was spreading that Waterford was down big, and soon that game would end on the 10-run rule. It was now crystal clear that the winner between Middletown-Simsbury would live for another day.

With one out in the fifth, Arianna Scionti (two hits) singled and Michele Barbour was hit by a pitch. Both would score and the comeback was complete. The game was tied heading into the bottom of the fifth.

“They held them off,” Tine said of his girls. “They fought all the way back, tied the score.”

Despite not scoring for four innings, Simsbury, showed it still had something left, however. Four walks and a big double by Sydney Nuenke (two hits) led to five runs. Though Middletown tried to mount a rally in the sixth, they didn’t have another in them.

“Couldn’t be more proud. I had just a great bunch of girls,” said Tine, who was coaching his first All-Star team. “Simsbury has a good defensive team. They fielded the ball and made the plays.”

There was disappointment and a few tears afterward and why not. Winning is fun. Softball is fun, even when it means a group of 9- and 10-year-olds playing or practicing every day during their summer vacation.

“It’s a huge commitment,” Tine said. “They’ve played softball every single day. They’ve traveled to Guilford, Clinton, Coginchaug and East Hampton.”

It’s a road many teams don’t get to travel and the memories and what they’ve achieved will sooth that disappointment and dry those eyes in no time, if it hasn't already.

“Very, very talented players we had,” Tine said. “We were able to take it to the next level. I’m very proud of what they accomplished and I think they’re as proud.”

Simsbury will play Norwich/Preston on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Seamster Park, where the East Hampton Little League has hosted the tournament for the past week.

Middletown Little League 9/10 All-Star Roster

Mikayla Tine, Janelle Franklin, Dominique Highsmith, Alexandra Marchand, Breanna Saldivar, Arianna Scionti, Cheyenne Trinidad, Kaitlyn Newman, Elizabeth Joy, Michele Barbour, Amanda Perrotta, Carley Gessaro. Manager: Mark Tine. Coaches: Jim Perrotta and Jason Franklin.

Hall of Fame nominees sought: The East Hampton Athletic Hall of Fame is accepting nominations through Sept. 10 for the 2012 Hall of Fame inductions. Induction night is Friday, Nov. 2, at Blackledge Country Club. A nomination packet can be picked up at the East Hampton Library or you can request a packet by e-mailing ehahof@sbcglobal.net. A nominee can be a standout athlete, a coach or an athletic contributor. The Hall of Fame's goal is to recognize excellence in past athletics. The Hall of Fame has recognized athletes and contributors to athletics dating to the 1930s and has representatives from every decade through the 1990s. Please consider the past athlete's and contributors you know and complete the nomination process so they can be recognized.

East Haddam's season ends: East Haddam needed one more victory to qualify for the American Legion’s state tournament. They didn't get it. Tyler Shamus pitched a one-hitter to lead Westbrook to a 5-1 victory in Moodus on Tuesday. Finishing 13-12, East Haddam Post 176 was fourth in the Zone 3. They last made the tournament in 2009.

Softball in Florida? That's the hope of the East Hampton High School girls' softball team. The board of education would have to approve such a request since it would involve missing some school time, but the girls have started planning some fundraising activities in the event they get the green light. Athletic Director Shaun Russell said the trip, likely a Wednesday-Sunday scenario, would involve scrimmages and practices as well as some time for the girls to enjoy a bit of what the area has to offer. "At this point, they're just doing general softball fundraising, but certainly in their mind they are hopeful that fundraising would be put toward that type of trip," Russell said. The girls started their fundraising at Old Home Days and have run a list of funraisers by [Principal John] Fidler. According to Russell, the hope is the board will act on the request in August or September. "We support their hope at this point," Russell said. "If we can cross a couple more layers of hurdles it just might happen."

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