Norwalk Scores and Standings: June 30

The Daily Sports Digest is designed for you to add your best photo and/or video 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

Marco Pastore belted a grand slam and drove in five runs as Greenwich edged Norwalk 7-6 on Wednesday to force a deciding game in the District One 12-year-old Cal Ripken tournament.

The teams will meet again on Thursday at New Canaan's Saxe Middle School (5:30 p.m.) with the winner advancing to the state tournament.

Greenwich jumped on top in the top of the first, taking advantage of three walks and a hitbatsman to score two runs on only one hit, an RBI single by Pastore.

Norwalk answered in the bottom half, tying the contest on back-to-back homers by Nico Petridis and Mike Gonzalez, who added another solo shot in the third.

Greenwich responded with five runs in the top of the second to open a 7-2 lead that barely was enough.

After Joey Lanni's RBI double put Greenwich back ahead, Colin Kelly and Tim Mira drew walks to load the bases. Pastore followed with a drive over the left-field fence that gave his team a seemingly comfortable five-run cushion.

But Norwalk chipped away, pulling within 7-3 on Wady Almonte's RBI groundout in the second. Gonzalez's leadoff homer in the third ignited a three-run rally that pulled his team within 7-6.

Connor Langan, who replaced Kelly on the mound for Greenwich, gave up a bases-loaded walk to Chris Giardino and and an infield single to Ryan Searles that made it 7-6.

However, Langan slammed the door, holding Norwalk hitless over the final three innings. After working out of a second-and-third jam in the fourth, he retired the final six batters to set up Thursday's winner-take-all battle.

Mary Roman,a former Norwalk City Clerk, recently won gold medals in thein the hammer and shot put in the National Senior Games in Houston.  She also finished fourth in the high jump and eighth in the discus.

Roman will be leaving for Sacramento next week to compete in the World Masters Championships. More than 20 There will be 20 countries are expected to compete.

-- Norwalk opened play in the District One 12-year-old Little League tournament on Wednesday with  a 7-1 victory over Weston.

Norwalk will be back in action on Sunday against Ridgefield National at Ridgefield's Aldrich Field at 3 p.m.. It will play six games in its group as round robin play continues through July 10.

-- On Saturday, about 20 alums of Norwalk's high schools will participate in an Old Timers softball game that starts at 10 a.m at the  Tracy School in Norwalk.

Those expected to be in attendance include Michelle Palmer (Norwalk , All- FCIAC 1989); Andrea Ehrlinger (Central Catholic, McMahon, All-FCIAC 1992); Christy George (Norwalk, All-FCIAC 1990);  Jayme Kovacs (Norwalk, All-FCIAC 89-91); Mona Solano (Norwalk, All-FCIAC 1991); Noelle Richter (Norwalk, All-FCIAC 1991) and former Central Catholic stars Trina Tucci and Beth Miller.

Also expected to attend are former Central Catholic coach Jeff Vingo, former McMahon assistant coach Blake Billmeyer and former Norwalk coach Fred Petrini.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

Ridgefield Jr. vs. Norwalk Jr.

Norwalk Sr. 4, Fairfield Sr. 2

THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE

Fairfield Sr. vs. Norwalk Sr., 5:30 p.m., at Notre Dame of Fairfield High School

Wilton Jr. vs. Fairfield Jr., 5:45 p.m., at Wilton High School

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS