Fairfield pushed to brink with LLWS loss

In a matchup of undefeated teams, the kids from Fairfield, Conn., wound up on the wrong side of the final, going down 6-3 to Lufkin (Texas) at the Little League World Series on Sunday.

Representing the New England Region, the Fairfield American Little League team barely escaped with a win in its previous outing against Holbrook (N.J.) in the doubleelimination tournament, but could not get its offense going against the Southwest representatives.

“I told them, ‘Look at the score. That was a good game today,’ ” Fairfield coach Mike Randazzo told the Fairfield Citizen. “We played well, but I also told them we have another game [Monday].”

Aidan Rivera homered, and Ethan Righter and Leo Randazzo each drove in runs, but Fairfield was held to just four hits in being pushed to the brink of elimination.

Michael Iannazzo started for Fairfield and was roughed up for five runs on eight hits across four innings of work.

Lufkin drew first blood on an RBI single by Collin Ross in the first inning. Fairfield came back with three in the top of the second to take the lead but could not make that advantage hold up.

Christian Mumphery hit a two-run blast in the second to tie the game and added a solo shot in the fifth to pad the lead after Lufkin scored twice in the fourth.

Ross pitched a complete game to earn the win, striking out eight and allowing just one earned run.

Fairfield plays Walla Walla (Wash.) Valley on Monday in the losers bracket, needing a win to stay alive in the tournament. Holbrook also has a win-or-go-home game Monday against Santa Margarita (Calif.).

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