Vermont Little League: Williston storms back for District I title
BURLINGTON – Down to their last inning and trailing by five runs the Williston 10-to-12-year-old all-stars tapped into some much-needed inspiration.
With championship aspirations on his mind, Theo Skapof remembered that the Williston all-stars had been in a worse situation three years earlier. Facing a seemingly insurmountable 10-run deficit to Addison County, the then 8-10-year-old team stormed back for the win.
And at Schifilliti Park on Tuesday, Williston roared back again, this time for a 13-9 championship win over Addison County in the District I finale.
“Theo talked about getting the rally cap going and it popped right back in our mind,” Williston coach Jeff Audette said of the inspiration behind the rally. “He told the story to the kids and they all started wearing the rally cap and it became true again.”
Williston’s winning sequence started with a walk, an infield single and a hit batter. Dash Bufano drove in Quinn Damato (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) on a fielder’s choice for the first run of the inning and cut the deficit to 9-5 with two outs. A second walk loaded the bases again and led to Brendan Connors’ RBI single.
“We always talk about commitment,” Audette said. “Everybody believes something but if you're committed to the team, that belief will come true. And your commitment to your teammates will make their beliefs come true.”
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A hit batter added another run, cutting the Addison County advantage to 9-7 and brought Luke Halverson (2-for-5, 3 RBIs) to the plate. Halverson’s line drive single to center field plated Skapof (4-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Connors to knot the game at nine.
Host Addison County went down in order in the bottom half of the frame. And in extra innings, Williston scored four runs including Brendan Hill’s RBI single that gave them their first lead of the game and Skapof’s two-run home run that capped the outburst.
For Addison County, starting pitcher Bryce Phelps allowed just three earned runs and four hits through four innings.
“We have a lot of respect for Bryce he is one of the best pitchers in the state,” Audette said. “We were just trying to get after him and he pitched a great game. Their defense played great. Our hats are off to them.”
Phelps was also 2-for-4 with two doubles and 3 RBIs at the plate. Zach Mandigo went 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs and Mason Forand was 2-for-2.
“You don't like seeing somebody lose and every time one team scored the other team scored,” Audette said. “And by that definition there were no losers today. It’s just unfortunately at the end of the game there has to be a winner or loser in the championship.”
Williston now advances to the state tournament which begins July 23.
Colchester snares 8- and 10-year-old title
A four-run fourth inning pushed the Colchester 8- and 10-year-old all-stars to a 10-5 victory over Burlington American in the District I baseball title game on Sunday.
Colchester held Burlington American scoreless after the third inning to control the championship bout.
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In the fourth frame Colchester, who lost 10-0 to Burlington American earlier in the tournament, was highlighted by Owen Brodie's double and run scored. In the sixth, Ethan Lamarch also doubled and scored. Over the last three innings Colchester had eight batters reach base.
"One thing about our team is they've been a resilient group," Colchester manager Sean Barewicz said. "We've been down in a lot of these games. We were down to Shelburne, we were down to Burlington American and we came back in all three games from a deficit."
Contact Jacob Rousseau at JRousseau@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter: @ByJacobRousseau.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont Little League: Williston storms back for District I title
