Redemption On Hold For Now

Waterford coach Joe Mariani and his 14-year-old Babe Ruth All-Star team want redemption. Looks like they’ll have to wait one more day.

The Waterford All-Stars were losing to Simsbury, 15-11, in the top of the sixth inning of the state final at Millstone Park in Waterford when the game was suspended due to darkness. The game will resume today at 11 a.m.

Even if Simsbury holds on, it will have to beat Waterford again today to win the title. Waterford is the only undefeated team left in the double-elimination tournament, so it must lose twice to be eliminated.

Last year, the team lost in the state final. This is its chance to make it right, Mariani said.

“We were disappointed to lose last time,” he said. “We want this.”

Roller-Coaster Game

The game could not have started worse for Waterford, as Simsbury scored seven runs in the top of the first inning. The crowd began to ask questions like “Is there a mercy rule?” and “When is the game tomorrow?”

However, Mariani rallied his troops. After scratching out three runs in the first two innings, Waterford exploded for eight runs in an error-filled third.

Waterford looked good from there with Justin Pandolfe on the mound. However, in the fifth inning Pandolfe tired, and was replaced by shortstop Jesse Coates.

In the sixth inning, the momentum shifted back to Simsbury. Coates had difficulty finding the plate, as Simsbury scored seven times.

Coates was eventually replaced by Joe Hajj. The game was called with the bases-loaded, one out in the top of the sixth inning, Waterford trailing 15-11, with Hajj on the mound.

Heroes So Far

With 11 runs, several Waterford players were having an outstanding game. Right fielder Kyle Chung is 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, with first baseman Adam Goss and center fielder Dylan Konakowitz also contributing two RBIs apiece. Second baseman Tom Pezzolesi has yet to make an out, going 1-for-1 and walking three times.

The play of the game so far was made by Konakowitz. The center fielder threw out a Simsbury runner at home to end the fourth inning.

Patch will attend the game (or games, depending on the outcome) today, and have the results as soon as they happen.

Shout Out To Waterford South

Waterford South’s 9-and-10-year-old All-Star team won the Section 2 championship Thursday, with a mercy rule win over previously undefeated Madison, 16-6.

The team will play today in Willimantic versus Edgewood in the state championship. It is the first game of a best-of-three series, running today, Sunday and Tuesday.