Milford tops North Haven to earn berth in sectionals

MILFORD — Lou Gehrig Little League of Milford manager Rob Hansen knew he needed a new game plan against Max Sinoway entering the teams’ matchup in the District 4 Little League championship game on Saturday, especially since the team from North Haven beat his team 9-0 in pool play.

This time around Hansen wanted his team to be aggressive at the plate and on the bases. The plan, coupled with the team’s solid defense and pitching, paid off.

Competing against Max Sinoway at home at Ralph Clarkson Field this time around didn’t hurt, either.

Hunter Hoxie and Zach Worzel combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed two hits, and Kasen Lanese and Chase Bryant each had RBI singles to lead Lou Gehrig to a 3-1 win over Max Sinoway for the District 4 championship. Lou Gehrig advances to the first round of the sectional tournament and will play in Darien on Thursday against an opponent to be determined.

“Max Sinoway is a great team and they hit the ball well to all parts of the field,” Hansen said. “When we lost to them we weren’t playing aggressive, especially at the plate. We took 90 percent of the first pitches in that game. Today, I wanted them to be more aggressive and put the ball in play.

“It all came together for us today. We were aggressive at the plate, our base running was aggressive (five infield hits) and our defense played well. I can’t say enough about our pitchers. Hunter keep them off balance early in the game and Zach did an outstanding job in relief. Zach has been our workhorse in relief all season.”

Hoxie pitched 21⁄3 innings,

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Lou Gehrig players mob pitcher Zach Worzel, center, after defeating North Haven’s Max Sinoway squad in the District 4 title game.