Connecticut hangs on at LL World Series

Unlike many little leaguers, Righter displayed no signs of frustration after allowing his first run in three games. He fought Cartnick for nine pitches before striking him out on a high fastball, something not many pitchers have been able to accomplish this year.

Fairfield, Connecticut, then built a five-run lead before hanging on for a 7-6 win.

“I was just trying to get them to put the ball in play and get outs,” said Righter, who gave up four hits and bounced on the mound when a couple of calls went against him. “I knew my defense would back me up.”

Righter settled into a groove after sitting Cartnick down. He struck out the side in the second inning and allowed only one run more in 3 2/3 innings before reaching the 85-pitch limit. He finished with seven strikeouts.

Just for perspective, Jackson averaged more than 10 runs in the MidAtlantic regional tournament and didn’t score fewer than eight in a single game.

Righter hovered around 66-68 mph with his fastball and mixed in a disappearing curveball about 15 mph slower to keep hitters guessing. If stifling a highpowered club on the biggest stage wasn’t enough, Righter also cracked two singles and scored two runs to help pace Fairfield’s offense.

Fairfield took a 7-2 lead into the sixth inning, but Cartnick wasn’t done. Delighted to see a different pitcher in the game, Cartnick crushed a two-run homer to left-center off Michael Iannazzo to spark a four-run rally. But Tyler Bauer subbed in as a reliever and closed out the game.

Fairfield will play again Sunday in the winner’s bracket, but Righter will not be able to pitch because he threw over 66 against Jackson.