Ridgefield Junior Legion Falls to Norwalk

After a brief deluge threatened the start of Saturday's Junior American Legion game between Norwalk and Ridgefield, the skies cleared.

Ridgefield players and parents turned into groundskeepers by clearing standing water and laying down sand to dry the infield.

But once the contest got under way, the bats were quiet for the home team, as Ridgefield suffered a damaging 3-2 loss in a Zone Four contest at the old high school.

The defeat dropped Ridgefield to 9-11, pushing it closer to elimination. To make the state tournament in Zone Four, a record of at least 15-12 is required, which means Ridgefield has to win six of its last seven games.

The visitors scored all three runs off Ridgefield starter Chris McClellan in the top of the third inning. Meanwhile, Norwalk's Will Atkins kept the hitters off balance throughout the contest.

Ridgefield got on the board in the fourth inning as Bryce Maher singled in Joey Hannigan, who doubled.

The hosts pulled within 3-2 in the fifth, when McClellan's single plated Johnny Olszewski. McClellan moved from the mound to first base in the fourth.

Atkins went the distance for a struggling but talented Norwalk team, which improved to 6-11 and has had trouble fielding a full roster throughout the season.

"I just tried to throw strikes," Atkins said.

One positive for Ridgefield was the pitching of Phillip Sammon, who tossed four scoreless innings in his Legion debut.

"I felt comfortable on the mound," said Sammon, who pitched on Ridgefield's freshman team in the spring. "I just tried to keep the ball down."

Ridgefield is back in action Sunday, when its hosts Darien at the old high school at 3:30 p.m.