Dover 11s use big bats to knock out host, reach Cal Ripken New England regional final

Brandon Brown, Fosters Daily Democrat
·2 min read
Dover 11U's Rhett Reed tracks a fly ball down to make a catch in the outfield during a 14-8 win over host New Canaan, Connecticut, Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Cal Ripken New England regional tournament semifinals.
Dover 11U's Rhett Reed tracks a fly ball down to make a catch in the outfield during a 14-8 win over host New Canaan, Connecticut, Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Cal Ripken New England regional tournament semifinals.

NEW CANAAN, Connecticut — The Dover 11U Cal Ripken baseball team has faced the top two aces against Connecticut teams in the New England regional tournament, scoring 26 runs in those two games.

This includes Dover's win over tournament host New Canaan, 14-8, in the semifinals on Thursday.

"Not the way we typically draw them up. We don't play many 14-8 games historically," Dover coach Mike Lynch said. "I was telling some of the parents after the game that it never felt comfortable even as a six-run win, but we continued to put pressure on them, get on base and have really good at-bats."

Dover 11U's Camden Stowell slides into second base during a 14-8 win over host New Canaan, Connecticut, Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Cal Ripken New England regional tournament semifinals.
Dover 11U's Camden Stowell slides into second base during a 14-8 win over host New Canaan, Connecticut, Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Cal Ripken New England regional tournament semifinals.

Dover was set to play West Hartford Friday night in the championship round, seeking to avenge a 6-5 loss, its only setback of the tournament.

Dover led 3-0 against New Canaan after two innings, and scored 11 runs in innings four through six on Thursday.

In the first inning, it was Des Fennessy's two-out double to right field scored Connor Lynch and Owen Lovering for a 2-0 lead. Trey Longuil's RBI single scored Camden Stowell for Dover's third run.

In the fourth, Ben Cheek drew a bases-loaded walk, Lovering hit into a fielder's choice and Rhett Reed hit a RBI single to give Dover a 7-2 lead.

Previous round: Dover 11s advance to New England Cal Ripken baseball semifinals with 12-0 rout

More: Dover 11-year-olds earn big win in New England Cal Ripken tourney with dominant performance

Dover 11U's Brady Flynn on the mound during a 14-8 win over host New Canaan, Connecticut, Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Cal Ripken New England regional tournament semifinals.
Dover 11U's Brady Flynn on the mound during a 14-8 win over host New Canaan, Connecticut, Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Cal Ripken New England regional tournament semifinals.

New Canaan scored six of its runs in the final three innings.

Dover was hoping to make amends for Tuesday's loss to West Hartford.

"The message pregame is 'we've been here before, we were in this game last year and no matter what happens, win or lose, there's no tomorrow, so leave it all out there today'," Lynch said.

Dover won the New England championship as 10-year-olds, advancing to the Cal Ripken World Series, which was played in Florida. There is no World Series at the 11-year-old level.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover 11s reach Cal Ripken baseball New England regional final