Mystic Softball Falls Short In State Finals

The declaration of "Wait 'Til Next Year" usually carries a hollow feeling in the world of sports.

The worn-out axiom signifies the fact that a team lost. It usually fails to soothe the pain of losing, especially if the setback occurs in playoff action.

Nevertheless, when Mystic's Little League 11-12 Softball All-Star Team uttered "Wait 'Til Next Year" after losing in the State Championship series to Fairfield American Sunday, the statement carried some promise.

Mystic will return potentially eight players to next year's All-Star Team. The nucleus of a squad that finished second in the state to Fairfield American in the 9-10 All-Star Finals last season helped Mystic play much more competitively in the upper Majors Division this year after losing 12-6 and 16-0 a year ago.

After falling 3-2 in the opener Saturday in Danbury, Mystic lost 6-2 in game two Sunday. Fairfield American advances to the East Regionals in Bristol after the two-game sweep that came much harder this time around.

"The exciting thing to remember is that this team had eight 11-year-olds on it," Mystic coach Tom Vignato said in an email to Patch. "Hopefully when they get into high school and more competitive sports, they'll look back on this summer and enjoy the memories. I smiled and told the Fairfield managers as we left the field tonight 'see you next year.' "

Fairfield scored two quick runs in the top of the first on two hits, a walk and a hit batter. The big inning was the 5th when they scored three runs on a bases loaded double. The story of the series was Fairfield delivering with runners in scoring position and Mystic failing to capitalize.

An RBI triple was the key hit in game one for Fairfield, which erased a 2-0 Mystic lead after one inning. Sunday, Mystic settled for one run in potential big innings. In the second, Mackenzie Aldridge singled, stole second and reached  third on a passed ball. She scored on a hit by Jayden Delaporta, who was left stranded on second.

In the 4th, down 3-1, Mystic started a rally. Taylor Kenyon singled andwas replaced at 1st by pinch runner Olivia Watts, who stole second. Olivia Knotts walked to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Susanna Mewha's sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third. Watts scored on a passed ball to make it 3-2, but a line out and groundout left the tying run on third.

Mystic never really made much noise with the bats, and Fairfield busted open the game in the 5th with its bases-loaded double.

Though Mystic missed opportunities, Vignato left Hatter Park with pride. Mystic won its first District 10 title in 11-12s since 2004, ending Waterford South's six-year run. Mystic won the State Sectional II in dramatic fashion on a no-hitter against Rocky Hill in the finals. With two straight state final berths in 9-10s and 11-12s, Mystic Little League softball is back on top.

"The experience with the incredible girls on this team is something I will never forget," Vignato said. "Although saddened by the end of their playing season, they should hold their heads up high. Second best team in the state is something they can cherish forever."