Fairfield American 10-Year-Old All-Stars Win Eastern Regional Invitational

The Fairfield American 10-year-old All-Stars completed a story-book summer by defeating Commack, New York, 5-3,  Saturday to win the inaugural Eastern Regional Invitational in Cranston, Rhode Island.

It wasn't easy, however, as New York nearly rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning. Will Lucas finally secured the win for Fairfield American by getting a grounder with the bases loaded for the final out.

"Games are always tough to close out," Connecticut manager Bill Meury told the Cranston Herald. "A ground ball in the sixth inning of an Eastern Region championship game is probably the toughest ground ball you're ever going to catch in  your life. But these guys play well under pressure. They know they don't have to be perfect. They just have to limit the number of mistakes they make."

Matt Kubel's two-run single highlighted a three-run third inning for Fairfield American, which tacked on single runs in the fourth and fifth.

Fairfield American starter Ryan Meury earned the win, surrendering just two hits through five scoreless innings. He was pulled in the sixth after allowing two runners and reaching his pitch limit.

Matt Clarkin took over for Meury and gave up three runs - two of which were charged to Meury - but Lucas nailed down the final two outs.

"It was a terrific summer, and the kids worked really hard," Meury added. "I suppose the lesson is when you work really hard, you've got a chance to achieve great things. In terms of 10-year-olds, this would be considered a great thing."

Fairfield American finished the year 19-1.