Milford erupts in extras to advance

The Milford Little League softball team erupted for six runs in extra innings Friday night to defeat Daniel Boone Little League of Columbia, S.C., in the Little League Softball World Series.

Milford, which scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning, defeated the Central Region champion 8-2 to advance. Milford was scheduled to play Saturday at 4 p.m. (ESPN2) against AsiaPacific for the right to advance to Sunday’s semifinal round.

Maddie Bonanno was placed on second to the start the ninth inning. She advanced to third on a bunt single from Maddie Deldin and scored on an error by the third baseman, which allowed Deldin to advance to second. A single by Norah Bove advanced Deldin to third. After Bove advanced to second on interference call, Ariella DiOrio followed with a two-run single and a 5-2 Milford lead.

Gabby Rodriguez drove in pinch-runner Riley Fagan-Davies when she ripped a triple to center field. Rodriguez scored on a hard ground out to short by Lily Stankevich for a 7-2 lead. Julia Scibek, who was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on the play, then scored on a passed ball for the final score.

Milford rallied from two runs down to force extra innings. Trailing 2-0 in the fourth, Chloe Capalbo singled to lead off the inning, then advanced on a Rodriguez sacrifice bunt.

Emily Speringo launched a single to center to score Capalbo to pull Milford to 2-1.

In the fifth, Scibek drilled a two-out double to left field, then scored on a single to right field by Stankevich.

Scibek led Milford with three hits and Speringo added two. Diorio and Stankevich each had two RBIs.

Maddie Bonanno picked up the win, striking out three and scattering four hits over the final seven innings.