Berlin Little League 12s Stay Alive, Play Sunday In Hopes Of Forcing Final Game

The Berlin All Star 12s defeated New Britain 12-2 Saturday in a District 5 elimination game at Petit Field.  

Gianni Fanelli started for Berlin and it looked to be the right call by manager Vin Biscoglio.  

"Gianni came in yesterday to finish the game against Edgewood for us," Biscoglio said. "His breaking pitches looked very good and he gave me confidence to put him in a crucial situation. To be put in that situation with limited time on the mound since the post-season, what can I say, the kid stepped up and is a gamer."

There was no score going into the second inning until Berlin's bats woke up in the bottom of the second. Tyler Cop started the inning with a single, Mike Giove beat out a dropped third strike and Sam Capodice was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nick Carroll singled in a run, David Biscoglio doubled in two more and Malachi Burby singled in two more runs. Berlin led 5-0.  

In the third Josh Ladd reached first and Fanelli hit his second home run in two days.  In the fifth inning Carroll hit a solo home run. Burby singled and it set the scene for Ryan Hyde's fourth home run of the tournament which proved to be the game winner in five innings.

Berlin will play Edgewood Little League Sunday at 1 pm at Southington's Rec Park.

"I told Coach Fradette from Edgewood and a few of his players last week that Berlin and Edgewood would play this week," Biscoglio said. "We have had three years of great games against each other for the District 5 Championship. I'm looking forward to getting out there right away and playing them again. It's the two best teams from the District and it's the way it should be. I hope the kids get to play their last game on Petit Field." 

Berlin needs to beat Edgewood on Sunday and again on Monday to win the District 5 championship. The Monday game, if needed, will be at Petit Field on Monday