Whalers prep for ECC tourney with a win

New London — Juan Otanez had three hits and three RBI as New London scored four runs in the sixth inning to pull away from Woodstock Academy on Monday, 6-3, in an Eastern Connecticut Conference interdivision game.

Elijah Martinez pitched six innings, allowing four hits and striking out three, to earn the win for Whalers (137) and Gabriel Cortorreal and Monte Johnson added two hits apiece.

The loss kept Woodstock (7-13) from qualifying for the ECC tournament, which begins with Tuesday's first round.

The schedule is: No. 9 Plainfield at No. 8 Griswold; No. 10 St. Bernard vs. No. 7 Norwich Free Academy at Dickenman Field, No. 11 Stonington at No. 6 New London, No. 12 Bacon Academy at No. 5 Fitch, and No. 13 Ledyard at No. 4 Lyman Memorial. All games start at 4 p.m. except Plainfield-Griswold (3 p.m.)

Top-seeded Waterford, No. 2 East Lyme and No. 3 Montville all received byes into the quarterfinals, which will be played Wednesday at Waterford and Fitch. Fitch will play host to the semifinals (Thursday) and championship game (Friday at 7 p.m.).

In other games:

• Dan Castelpoggi went 2-for-3, including a double, with two RBI and a run as Waterford beat North Kingstown, 6-1. Collin Bakken had a tworun single and scored, Jake Mangual had an RBI single and scored and Alex Petchark (4-0) was the winning pitcher for the Lancers (19-1), ranked second in the state. Mark Halloran, Chad Mansolillo and Mike Monti each went 2-for-3 for the Skippers (10-6).

• Third-seeded Valley Regional topped No. 6 Old Lyme, 3-0, in the Shoreline Conference quarterfinals. Cooper St. Germain had two hits, including a double, for Old Lyme (10-11) and Will Visgilio scattered seven hits with seven strikeouts and singled.