Fairfield Stays Alive In 15-year-old Babe Ruth State Tourney

Fairfield stayed alive in the 15-year-old Babe Ruth state championship Tuesday with an 8-2 victory over Simsbury at Tunxis Hill Field.

Tommy Howell got things going with an RBI single in the top of the first, as Fairfield jumped out to a 6-1 lead after three innings.

The winners added three runs in the second on an RBI single by Matt Montani and a two-run double by Charlie Meder.

"For our team, it was important to get run support early," Fairfield coach Vic D'Ascenzo said. "It's hard for us to pick up when we are behind."

Fairfield, which has won two in a row since dropping its tournament opener to Ridgefield, 6-0, is back in action on Thursday at Kiwanis Field (5:45 p.m.) against the winner of Wednesday's contest between Ridgefield and Shelton.

After Simsbury got on the board in the second, Fairfield answered with a pair in the top of the third. Howell delivered another RBI single and the sixth run scored on an error.

 Victor D'Ascenzo, the coach's son, drove in the final run for Fairfield with a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth.

Andrew Kirkpatrick pitched five innings for the winners, allowing two runs -  one earned - and three hits. He walked four and struck out five.

"Andrew has a good pace," the elder D'Ascenzo said. "He is a thinker. The game comes to him and it slows the defense down. He has helped us out all year by going deep into games."

Paul Kern tossed the final two innings for Fairfield, working out of a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the sixth.