Mozzillo, Scheideman Lead Cherry Hill to Regional Win

Matt Mozzillo hit a two-RBI single and Ian Scheideman gave up just one earned run as the Cherry Hill Stealers beat Fairfield Post 143, 3-2, in the Junior American Legion Northeast Regional at Rotary Field in South Windsor, CT Saturday morning.

Mozzillo launched a bases-loaded shot to center field in the bottom of the fourth to score Mike Wurster and Ryan Stainrook, and Nick Falcone followed that up with an infield single to drive in the game-winning run.

The Stealers weathered a tough top of the seventh, as Fairfield came back and scored the team's only earned run and threatened with two outs, but with a full count on the game's final batter, Fairfield's Tommy Ryan got caught in a rundown between second and third for the third out.

Scheideman gave up seven hits and struck out two in what was a pitcher's duel, as Fairfield's Dillon Stimpson allowed only five hits, and none before the third inning.

Cherry Hill finally broke up that no-hitter when Mozzillo and Falcone blooped back-to-back singles to put a runner in scoring position, but the Stealers couldn't capitalize on that situation.

But an inning later, it was all Cherry Hill—Mike Wurster got on base on an error by the second baseman, Jake Thorndike lined a single to center and Stainrook hit into a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners.

After Sean McDonald was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Mozzillo got the Stealers on the scoreboard.

Cherry Hill will face Rhode Island in an afternoon game in South Windsor to determine which team will be in the regional championship game Sunday.