Quinn's Walk-Off Homer Rescues Fairfield American

Fairfield American continued its magical summer in dramatic fashion Saturday evening at Shelton's Nike Field.

Jack Quinn belted a game-winning,  two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth of inning, lifting Fairfield American to a 15-14 victory over Farmington in one of the wildest section one playoff games in recent memory.

Fairfield American appeared to be cruising with a seven-run lead after four innings, but its defense faltered late, as Farmington erased a 12-5 deficit with eight runs in the top of the fifth.

A critical error allowed three runs to score and keep alive the inning. Another miscue enabled Farmington to regain the lead in the top of the sixth.

But Fairfield American, which improved to 11-0 in the postseason, showed its mettle by twice erasing one-run deficits in a contest that featured eight home runs - four by each club.

Fairfield American, which banged out 19 hits, appeared to break open the contest in the second, when it erupted for seven runs to open an 8-1 lead.

Back-to-back two-run doubles by Nick Nardone and Quinn keyed the inning. Nardone, who also hit a solo homer in the first, finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBI.

Chris Howell added a two-run homer in the fourth, when Fairfield American tacked on four runs to make it 12-5 and seemingly put away the game.

But Farmington showed it also has a potent offense and charged back, tying the contest, 12-12, on Dominic Alfano's  three-run shot. Jeff Crook followed with a solo blast to shockingly put his team ahead.

However, Fairfield American quickly answered in the bottom half, pulling even on Connor Daley's leadoff homer. Daley also finished with three hits.

After Tommy Ryan walked to open the bottom of the sixth, Farmington pitcher Noah Gulino looked overpowering, recording a pair of strikeouts to leave Fairfield American one out away from a painful defeat.

But Quinn, who hit a grand slam in Friday's 10-2 win over Shelton American, came to the rescue, drilling a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence to end it.

The win improved Fairfield American to 3-0 in pool play, virtually clinching a spot in the sectional final, when a berth in the state championship would be on the line.

While it is possible for Fairfield American to finish third in a three-way tie at 3-1 due to a run differential tiebreaker, it is extremely unlikely.

Fairfield American concludes round robin play on Sunday at Nike Field against Stamford American.