State Champs! … Newtown 13s Capture District 4 Title

Members of the 13-year-old District 4 Newtown baseball team kept up their winning ways to capture first place in the Babe Ruth State Tournament, last week at Fairfield’s Kiwanis Field. Big Blue won Newtown’s first ever 13-year-old state championship. Newtown defeated Fairfield 6-3, West Haven 5-4, Suffield 8-2 and Mystic 16-0 in the final game.

The team played consistently well on defense and was led by catcher Matt Sabia, infielders Grant Ricketts, Garrison Buzzanca, Justin DeVellis, Bubba LeBlanc and outfielders Matt Mossbarger, Greg Horne and Matt Hoyt. The strong pitching of Mike Davis, Mike Daubert and Dean Demers kept their opponents off stride for the entire state tournament. On offense, Newtown kept the ball in play and everyone contributed with big hits during their games with Fairfield, West Haven, Suffield and Mystic. In the championship game against Mystic every Newtown player had at least one hit to help the team win the crown. Newtown travels to Leominster, Mass to compete in the Regional Championship starting on August 7.

Members of Newtown’s 13-year-old District 4 champions are, from left, front: Bat yoys CJ and Shane Demers; middle: Grant Ricketts, Bubba LeBlanc, Greg Horne, Mike Davis, Garrison Buzzanca, Matt Hoyt and Dean Demers; back: Bullpen Coach Gary Buzzanca, Justin DeVellis, Coach Mike Davis, Matt Sabia, Matt Mossbarger, Mike Daubert, Coach Bobby LeBlanc, Coach Greg Horne, Coach Joe DeVellis and Babe Ruth State Commissioner Frank Rocca.