Fairfield Ousted from Little League World Series
Team loses elimination game to Petaluma, California
Wednesday, Aug 22, 2012 | Updated 12:01 PM EDT
AP
Fairfield, Conn., shortstop Will Lucas reacts after Petaluma, Calif.'s Hance Smith hit a three-run home run in the third inning of an elimination baseball game at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. Petaluma won 5-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
It wasn't to be for Fairfield American.
The team was eliminated from the Little League World Series Tuesday by the squad from Petaluma, California. Just one night after surviving an elimination game behind the no-hitter of Will Lucas, Fairfield was shut out by the California kids 5-0 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Fairfield's best chance came in the second when Michael Ghiorzi led off with a single, and an error made it runners on first and second with nobody out.
But third baseman Cole Tomei charged a bunt and started a 5-6-4 double play, and Gago got a strikeout to end the threat.
Ryan Meury led off the Connecticut sixth with a double, and Gago left after a groundout because he had reached his pitch limit. He got a hug from a teammate before heading to the dugout.
Reliever Andrew White closed it out, and the teams exchanged handshakes at the plate before the California kids returned calmly to their dugout while a marching band played in the stands.
Connecticut plans to stick around Williamsport for a little while so the players can finally enjoy some time with their families after three weeks of tournament play. Manage Bill Meury gathered a Fairfield all-star team that's played together for three summers for one final meeting in left field.
"You guys are like brothers. The (coaches) love you guys, and we've had a great three years together," Meury said in recounting the meeting. "You should walk off this field with your head held high because you gave Fairfield one of the best summers they've had in a little while."
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