CLCF 12s Undefeated in NE Regionals

So far, the CLCF 12-year-old All Stars are undefeated after beating Danbury, Conn. 6-1 in game 1 and Exeter, N.H. 12-9 in game 2.

In game 1, Drew Spirito and Relief Pitcher Jamie Pacheco combined to keep Danbury off the bases. Spirito, along with LJ Felico both hit home runs and Spirito earned the game MVP.

In game 2, Nelvin Balnco, Ryan Reinsant and more excellent relief pitching from Pacheco limited Exeter to 9 runs, which isn't a small number, but it was less than CLCF's 12, and that's a win. Pacheco snubbed out a potential Exeter comeback when he struck out the top of their order with the bases loaded to end the game.

"In all, the team has played solid defense and has exploded offensively," said CLCF's Thomas Barbieri.

The team plays New Milford, Conn. tonight and the boys of CLCF hope to win, but no matter the outcome, they're already winners. Barbieri explains:

"There is a great story behind the attached picture - We found out that a 12 year old player for New Milford, Caleb Gaylord, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Their league linked with the Caleb Gaylord Family Foundation to raise monies for their family. Our team thought it was best to support Caleb. The picture contains our players with t-shirts that say "CG24" (Caleb Gaylord with his baseball shirt #.)"