Stamford Scores and Standings: July 11

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Stamford left little doubt it was the best team in the 15-year-old District One Babe Ruth tournament.

Ryan Duggan, Sean Remondino and Ronnie Jackson each had three hits Sunday as Stamford routed Greenwich 12-1 at Cubeta Stadium to complete a two-game sweep of the finals.

Stamford advances to the state tournament, which begins on Friday in New Milford. It's approach has been simple -- put the ball in play and try to keep it on the ground.

"We just keep hitting and when we get runners in scoring position, we knock them in," said Duggan, who clubbed three doubles and drove in three runs.

"And if we don't knock them in, they force errors, so at least we're putting the ball hard on the ground. As long as we put it in play, something good will happen."

Stamford also won the 14-year-old tournament, but in a much closer game as JP Loughlan tossed a four-hitter in a 2-1 victory over Greenwich.

Stamford won all three games in the 15-year-old tournament against Greenwich by double figures. The first two -- 15-4 and 12-0 victories - were stopped early because of the mercy rule.

Greenwich can claim a small victory in that it at least extended Sunday's game to the full seven innings. Stamford didn't push its lead to double figures until scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning.

"They hit the ball," Greenwich coach Larry Jones said. "Everybody hits the ball on that team. "One to 15, they can all hit. I've never seen a team like that. Some teams have a weakness. This team has no weaknesses."

After committing six errors in Saturday's 12-0 loss, Greenwich's defense was much crisper Sunday as it made four outstanding plays in the field.

Through two innings, Greenwich limited Stamford to one run, an RBI double Duggan in the top of the first. But Stamford's offense proved too potent, banging out 16 hits.

The winners tacked on four runs in the second as Duggan delivered another RBI double and Matt Sciarretta and Jackson added run-scoring singles.

After Mike Palomba's RBI single made it 6-1 in the fourth, Jackson's run-scoring double ignited a three-run rally in the fifth.

"Everyone in our lineup, even the ones who don't start, can hit it," Duggan said. "Everyone has power. No one just hits singles. Everyone can put it in the gap. It's good to have."

Stamford starter Mike Szemenyei pitched the first five innings, allowing only two hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Greenwich scored its only run on Alex McMurray's RBI single in the fourth.

Like any pitcher, Szemenyei, who was making his first start in the tournament, enjoys working behind an offense that is going to get him a ton of runs.

"It makes the pitching a whole lot easier when you have an offense like that because usually when you go out there to pitch, you have a lead so you can have more confidence in your defense," Szemenyei said.

Stamford tacked on its final three runs in the seventh, the big hit in the inning being Matt Christensen's RBI single.

Still, Duggan anticipates the competition will be tougher when Stamford gets into the state tournament.

"Hopefully, not too much better," he said.

In the 13s, Darien defeated Stamford 10-2 Sunday to win the town's first Babe Ruth district title since 1969.

LIITTLE LEAGUE: National Lione defeated Northrop 18-0 Sunday to wrap up the top seed in pool A in the 12-year-old District One Little League tournament.

Lione finished in a three-way with North Stamford and Redding at 5-1, but won a tiebreaker. North Stamford claimed the second playoff spot in the pool and Redding was eliminated.

Darien American (6-0) and Wilton (5-1) are the top two seeds in pool B.

In the semifinals on Wednesday, Lione takes on Wilton at 5:30 at Springdale and Darien American faces North Stamford at 7;30 at Springdale.

Here are Sunday's results in the final day of pool play:

Darien American 11, Ridgefield National 10

Norwalk 7, Darien National 4

North Stamford 12, Ridgefield American 8

Redding 13, Stamford American 0

National Lione 18, Northrop 0

Wilton 10, Federal 4

Here are the final standings in pool play:

Pool A

National Lione 5-1

North Stamford 5-1

Redding 5-1

Ridgefield American 3-3

Stamford American 2-4

Springdale 1-5

Northrop 1-6

Pool B

Darien 6-0

Wilton 5-1

Norwalk 3-3

Darien National 2-4

Ridgefield National 2-4

Federal 1-5

North Stamford defeated Wilton 12-5 Sunday in the championship game of the 10-year-old District One baseball tournament.

North Stamford advances to the sectionals, which begin Wddnesday in Naugatuck. Its first opponent will be the district three champions.

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

SATURDAY'S RESULTS

Stamford Jr. 5, Darien/NC Jr. 3

Ridgefield Sr. 6, Stamford Sr. 0

SUNDAY'S RESULTS

Trumbull Jr. 24, Stamford Jr. 3

Stamford Sr. 6, Fairfield Sr. 4 (1)

Stamford Sr. 4, Fairfield 3 (2)

MONDAY'S SCHEDULE

Stamford Sr. vs. Bridgeport Sr, 5:30 p.m., at Cubeta Stadium (2)

 AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS