Waterford South 11-12s Cruise To District 10 Championship

It isn’t everyday that somebody hits a game-winning, walk-off, three-run homer when their team is already up 7-0. But Michael Burrows found a way.

“As soon as he hit that ball, I put my hands up, I knew it was over,” father and Waterford South 11-12-year-old all-star team head coach Tom Burrows said. “Michael has been stroking the ball, and that’s why he is my third batter.”

The all-star team dominated Stonington-Mystic, winning 10-0 with the game being stopped following Michael Burrows’ home run in the fourth inning because of the mercy rule. The victory gave Waterford South the Connecticut District 10 championship.

“It feels great,” Michael Burrows said after the game. “I had a feeling we were going to win the game.”

The Game

Almost every player on Waterford’s roster contributed to the lopsided victory. Walker Sutman, who along with Burrows was named MVP of the tournament, pitched a four-inning shutout, only giving up one hit and striking out six.

The only real trouble Sutman got into was from his own making in the top of the third inning. Sutman gave up his only hit of the game, and then later would hit two batters to load the bases. But with two outs, he got Stonington-Mystic’s Josh Georgetti to ground out to end the inning.

“It is not surprising to me at all,” said Tom Burrows when asked about Sutman’s performance. “(Sutman and Michael Burrows) are very strong pitchers.”

On the offensive, there were too many heroes to list. After going down in order in the first, Waterford scored three runs in the second inning, three runs in the third and another four in the fourth.

Dylan Bosco went 2 for 2 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Michael Burrows went 2 for 3 with a double, the aforementioned game-winning home run and four RBIs. Kiernon Waldron, Chris Persi, Trevor Yeomans and Sutman all drove in runs for Waterford as well.

The players have been playing together for several years, including together on an AAU team where they traveled across the eastern seaboard, Tom Burrows said. That synergy paid off, he said.

“They are like a family,” Burrows said. “You can’t get any closer than these guys, there is no way.”

Waterford South 10-11

There was a chance for two champions to be crowned on Waterford South’s fields Friday night. However, the Waterford South 10-11-year-old all-star team lost to Stonington-Mystic, 4-0, with a chance to win the Connecticut District 10 Championship.

But because Waterford was undefeated and Stonington-Mystic had already lost one game, Stonington-Mystic has to beat Waterford again to take the prize. On Monday, the two teams will play in Stonington to decide who is the District 10 champion.

Roster of Waterford South 11-12 All Stars

A list of the champions

• Eric Pinch
• Walker Sutman
• Michael Burrows
• Dylan Bosco
• Glen Faber
• Kevin Grandieri
• Trevor Yeomans
• Kiernan Waldron
• Chris Persi
• Liam Spellman
• Max Mazzella
• Alex Donohue

Manager: Tom Burrows

Coaches: Pam Pinch, Chris Yeomans