Little League 11s 2-1 In State Sectional Play

Berlin 13, Shelton National 4

Berlin's 11-year olds won Saturday versus Shelton National in a 10/11 Section 1 Connecticut tournament in Prospect.

Shelton jumped on top at the beginning of the first inning scoring three runs on two hits. Berlin started their comeback in the bottom of the second with a home run off Malachi Burby's bat and a two RBI double by Gianni Fanelli. Berlin then posted eight runs in the third with RBI's by David Biscoglio, Nick Carroll, Ryan Terlecky capped by a three run homer by first time clean up hitter Michael Giove.

Tyler Cop started pitching for Berlin. Biscoglio came in for relief in the second and shut down the Shelton club. He was taken out at 65 pitches and Dominic Lattarulo finished up the game pitching 1.2 innings allowing no hits. Biscoglio, Carroll and Burby all had two hits at the plate for the victors.

Berlin plays Darien National in Naugatuck Monday at 6 pm. The game determines Berlin's fate for the sectional tournament.

Berlin 6, Branford 1

Nick Carroll pitched a complete game for the Berlin 11's as they won against the Branford All Stars in Section 1 10/11 Tournament play. Carroll struck out nine while only walking one and giving up one run. David Biscoglio stayed hot at the plate (3-for-4, two RBI, two runs) for Berlin. Also hitting well were Holden Murphy (2-for-2, one RBI), Gianni Fanelli (2-for-3) and Carroll (2-for-4).

After the game the manager Vin Biscoglio said, "Due to injuries, we have had to shuffle kids into new positions. We found what worked tonight and were able to hit the ball and find ways to score runs. To lose two key players and figure out a defense that played exceptionally is great. I couldn't be prouder. And Nick Carroll threw an absolute gem tonight."

Fairfield National 13, Berlin 3

Berlin's 11-year old All Star team dropped the first game of the Section 1 CT Little League tournament to Fairfield National 13-3 on Thursday. Malachi Burby pitched very well for Berlin striking out three, walking only one and allowing six hits.

The flood gates opened in the fourth inning when Berlin manager Vin Biscoglio pulled Burby at 65 pitches and inserted David Biscoglio. Biscoglio walked two and let up a hit and was pulled on his 20th pitch. Nick Carroll entered the game and walked three and gave up a hit before being pulled at his twentieth pitch.  Tyler Cop entered the game and pitched until the Fairfield team scored their last two runs to run the score to plus ten to end the game.

When asked about the pitching changes, Biscoglio answered "It's tough when you have three games in a row. You need to have pitchers available and with the pitch counts allowed, it's just difficult to manage.

"Malachi pitched a great game for us and went further than expected due to his performance. It also didn't help losing another catcher to an injury (Andrew Pulcini) and that effects the makeup of the entire infield including who we pitch."  The other catcher Biscoglio referred to is Ryan Hyde who was injured in their District 5 championship game against Edgewood. He sustained a broken bone in his wrist and is in a cast. 

Berlin hadn't played since winning the District 5 banner July 8. "The layoff didn't help get us ready for this tournament. While other districts played all last week, we were idle and I think it showed."

Berlin was led at the plate by Biscoglio (2-for-3, HR, Double). Carroll and Sam Capodice had the other two RBI's for Berlin.

In District 5 play, Berlin went 9-0 scoring 130 runs while only letting 19 cross the plate defensively.