Sports: Groton/Mystic tops Waterford for District 10 Little League softball title
Waterford — After a tumultuous two days, Groton/Mystic emerged victorious over Waterford in the District 10 Little League softball championship (ages 11-12). The top two teams in District 10, both Groton/Mystic and Waterford dominated pool play, going 4- 0 and winning comfortably in each of their contests.
In a rematch from the last two year's district finals, Groton/ Mystic avenged their losses in dramatic fashion, hanging on to win 5-4.
“We've played Waterford the last two years and they beat us both times,” assistant coach Will Jenkins said. “Last year, they beat us up bad. So we really wanted to win this one.”
The early action was largely dominated by the pitching staffs, with Katie Touhy and Grace Jenkins leading the way for Groton/Mystic and Anna Dziencinny for Waterford.
Waterford struck first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. In the fourth inning, Groton/Mystic cut into the lead thanks to an RBI double from Angelica Tompkins.
The majority of the action, though, unfolded in the fifth inning.
Trailing 2-1, Groton/ Mystic's Sophie Ash, who had subbed in earlier, got the action started with a leadoff double to right field. Sydney Lyon singled and Charlotte Corhal gave Groton/Mystic the lead with a two-run triple to deep right field. The next batter, Grace Jenkins, also hit a triple to score Corhal, and scored herself on a sacrifice fly to put Groton/Mystic up 5-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, Waterford scored two runs to cut into the lead and many in attendance thought it had scored the tying run on the decisive play of the game. With Dziencinny on third base, Marina Colonis hit a fly ball to left field. In a bizarre sequence, the ball appeared to be caught and bobbled by the left fielder on the throw home. Dziencinny initially took off, but attempted to return to third to tag up and score the tying run. The umpire, however, ruled the play a catch and Dziencinny was ruled out on at third for not touching the base after the catch.
After some deliberation, the game continued and Groton/Mystic held on to the
lead and the narrow victory.
“Groton/Mystic has always been the toughest team we play,” said Waterford manager Sharon Dziencinny. “We knew going in it was going to be harder. Yesterday, we weren't ready for that. It seemed to surprise us, that's why we made all the errors. Today, we came out ready for it and starting hitting, but unfortunately, we got a bit deflated in that fifth.”
“We have a motto on this team, win every inning and just grind,” Jenkins said. “We have a good pitching staff and played good defense.
“We knew it was going to be a tight game and we're just going to have to grind it out.”
For Groton/ Mystic, it means a trip to the Connecticut Section 3 State tournament at Rocky Hill beginning on Thursday, July 5.
“This is unfamiliar ground for us, but we have a team that's been together for many years,” Jenkins said. “The girls are really tight. We have a lot of top notch pitchers, and we're expecting to make a run.”
— July 23-26 at East Lyme High School, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. For girls entering grades 3-8. Fee is $125 for residents, $175 for non-residents. Contact: Phil Schneider, phillip-schneider@ att.net, (860) 884-1980.
— Tuesdays and Thursday from June 26-July 26 (no games on July 5). At East Lyme High School from 7:30-9:30 p.m. For players in high school, college and post-collegiate players. Fee is $100 for residents, $125 for non-residents. Half-sessions (pick any 5) are $55 and $70. Contact: Phil Schneider, phillip-schneider@ att.net, (860) 884-1980.
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