Diamond Notes: Renegades seal extra inning win in Al Leonard Tournament

Newtown Baseball Minors AA (9s)

In local division playoffs, Brewers and Drillers advance to championship game.

Newtown Renegades 8, New Fairfield 6

It took an extra inning for the Newtown Renegades to overcome New Fairfield in the 19th Annual Al Leonard Jimmy Fund Tournament on Saturday morning in Bethel. The Renegades were down 3 in the top of the 2nd when Josh Taylor hit a triple to score Matt Bradbury. In the top of the 5th, Dillon Robinson hit a 2-run single to tie the game at 3-3. CJ Giacin followed with an opposite field single to score Robinson and give the Renegades the 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the 5th, New Fairfield answered with 3 runs to take a 6-4 lead. In the top of the 6th, Thomas Tavar knocked a single to score Will Swift. Three batters later, John Godino hit a grounder to short that brought home Tavar, tying the game at 6-6. In the top of the 7th, Shane Luzietti led off with a single and Taylor followed with another triple to drive Luzietti home. Taylor then scored on a passed ball, giving the Renegades the 8-6 lead. On the mound, Godino and Taylor combined for 8 strikeouts, while Joey Rios held New Fairfield scoreless over the last 2 1/3 innings to seal the victory. The Renegades have now advanced to the next round of the tournament on Tuesday night at Mitchell Park in Bethel.  

McGuire's Ale House Brewers 9, Haywood Insurance Marines 4

Strong pitching and solid defense were the difference in the Brewers 9-4 win over the Marines on Saturday afternoon at Liberty Field. For the Brewers, Shane Luzietti, Jake Pare, and Brett Melchionno combined for 12 strikeouts over 6 innings. Aidan Finnegan led the offensive charge with a triple, 2 singles and 4 RBIs, while Kyle Reilly made a diving catch in right field to rob the Marines of an extra base hit. For the Marines, Connor Haywood, Thomas Tavar and Will Swift combined for 12 strikeouts. Haywood and Joey Rios each had 2 hits, while Tavar brought in 2 runs with a line drive single. The Brewers will face the Mobil 1 Express Drillers in the 9-year-old division championship game on Sunday morning at Sandy Hook School.