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Danbury Evens Up Cal Ripken World Series With Victory In Extra Innings

DANBURY, Conn. -- In the second day of pool play at the Cal Ripken World Series, Team New England from Danbury evened up its record in the tournament with a 5-4 win Sunday over Team Southwest. 

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/crwsaberdeen

The boys from Danbury topped the team from Little Rock, Ark., with a game-winning double in the seventh inning by Justin Solimine. The win went to Danbury pitcher Zach Demko, who was also the player of the game.

Team New England took an early 1-0 lead with a single off Patrick Iannetta to bring home Luke Shliger. Southwest’s bats started to heat up in the top of the third when John Vine got a hit into the outfield, which was good for a double. Zac White and Robert Bavon matched his double with back-to-back doubles, putting Southwest up 2-1.

Southwest held New England in the bottom of the inning, and then tacked on one more in the 4th inning to make it 3-1.

But New England fired back in the fifth, tying the game at three-all after a long double and a Southwest mishap on an attempted pick off. The game remained tied in the sixth, so play continued into extra innings.

Southwest fired first in the seventh, when Bavon’s double brought in White. New England found its stride, though. After walking the first batter, Southwest’s relief pitcher White overthrew his pick-off attempt, allowing New England’s Demko to advance to third. Javon Hernandez of New England brought Demko in with a double to tie the game and an RBI double by Solimine brought home Hernandez to secure the win for New England.

Demko had three singles and scored two runs to help lead his team to victory and got the win. Richard Werkle pitched relief for two innings, and threw five strikeouts in a total of 44 pitches. 

Danbury/New England will play Monday, Aug. 11, at 12:30 p.m. at Nationals Field against Pacific Northwest. The Danbury team lost its opener Saturday, falling in a close 3-2 game to Pacific Southwest. (Read more about the game here on the Daily Voice.)

Pool play continues in the tournament through Aug. 13.

The 15th annual Cal Ripken World Series, played at The Ripken Experience powered by Under Armour complex in Aberdeen, Md., features 11- and 12-year-old baseball players. 

The World Series unites the 10 best teams from across the United States and eight international teams, including newly added competition from New Zealand and Puerto Rico. Team Japan returns as the three-time defending CRWS Champions.

For scores and highlights, fans can follow its official social media pages, including Twitter and Instagram (@CRWSAberdeen), and at Facebook.com/CRWSAberdeen. For complete information on the tournament, visit www.ripkenbaseball.com/world_series.

Readers can support the Danbury team's trip by making a donation online

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