BETHEL - The Newtown Babe Ruth 12-year-old All Stars captured the Bethel Tournament championship for the second year in a row and had to do it in thrilling fashion - on a bases-loaded single by Steve Marks in the bottom of the sixth.
BETHEL â The Newtown Babe Ruth 12-year-old All Stars captured the Bethel Tournament championship for the second year in a row and had to do it in thrilling fashion â on a bases-loaded single by Steve Marks in the bottom of the sixth.
Newtown defeated South Meriden, 4-3.
Newtown opened up the scoring in the second inning when Tucker Kass hit a solo homerun over the left field fence. Newtown extended its lead in the fourth inning when Marks rapped a two-run singles, scoring Joe Devellis and Ryan McGrath.
South Meriden rallied in the bottom of the fourth with as series of run-producing singles and tied the score, 3-3. But Marks came back in the game to pitch and shut down the rally and the score remained tied until the sixth primarily due to Mike Tibbettsâ clutch-pitching.
Newtown rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning when both Kevin Cahalane and Joe Rahtelli reached base on singles. South Meriden then chose to intentionally walk McGrath to load the bases with two outs and pitch to Marks, who had been hitting the ball well. South Meriden brought in its ace â who had been out for four weeks because of a broken wrist â and Marks roped a 2-1 pitch into left.
The All-Stars will open up District play on Saturday against New Milford in Bethel.