The Oxford 12-year-old All-Stars are going to Maine!
The boys beat Danbury 3 – 1 Tuesday in the Cal Ripken 12U 40/60 state championship.
Manager Greg Baktis said the boys are ready for Saturday’s New England Regional, where they’ll play against Vermont.
“They are probably the most grounded kids I know,” Baktis said. ​“They’re good natured. They are a really good group of kids — and that says a lot about their parents.”
Those in the picture include: (front, from left) Gunnar Fay, Justin Pavlik, Adam Baktis, Matt Morelli, Owen Diaz (back, from left) Manager Greg Baktis, Coach Brian Shortell, Preston Shortell, Tim Stordy, Jeff Sutay, Coach Bob Sutay, Dale Keller, Alex Rushworth, Coach Darren Pavlik
Here’s the press release from the team:
The Oxford 12-year-old All-Stars won the Cal Ripken 12 U 40/60 state championship Tuesday night in Bethel against Danbury, 3 – 1.
Danbury had two hits in the top of the first inning to score 1.
Oxford loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on an error and two walks.
After two outs, Danbury walked the next batter for the tieing run and then Tim Stordy hit a two run single to go up 3 – 1.
The rest of the game was a defensive battle with Danbury pitcher, Dean Kohanek, striking out 12 and Oxford putting up key defensive plays.
Gunnar Fay had a relay from center field to shortstop Dale Keller to throw out a runner at second stretching a base hit in the first inning.
Catcher Adam Baktis and 3rd Baseman Preston Shortell connected to throw out a runner stealing 3rd to end the 4th inning.
With 2 on in the 5th, Baktis’ throw down to second on a steal was intercepted by Keller who threw back to Baktis to get the runner stealing home out at the plate.
Oxford pitcher Matt Morelli pitched 5 innings with 6 K’s and gets the win. Dale Keller came in to close out the 6th with 3 quick outs to the in field.
To get to the championship game, Oxford was undefeated, beating New Fairfield in a close battle 10 – 9 before beating Newtown 9 – 0 and Brookfield 10 – 0 in 5 innings.
This is Oxford’s first state tournament win at any age level and their first trip to a regional tournament.
They will start in the New England Regional in Harrison, Maine against Vermont on Saturday, July 24.
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