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WILTON, Conn. -- For the first five innings of Monday's Senior Legion tussle between Norwalk and Wilton, Leon Fleming stole the show. Norwalk's big righty was lights-out on the mound, not allowing a hit. Unfortunately for Fleming, Norwalk's bats could not back him up.
Wilton finally got to Fleming in the sixth, scoring twice after a controversial call at third that led to the ejection of Norwalk head coach Chris Brown. The two runs were all Wilton needed, as its starting pitcher Jack Palombo was equally dominant, shutting Norwalk down, 2-1.
"All they had was one inning. I was getting ahead and then I couldn't throw the first-pitch strikes," Fleming said. "That was my fault and they picked up on that."
The only offense Norwalk could muster all evening was an unearned run in the top of the first. After leading off the game with a single and a stolen base, Spencer Jacoby scored on an error by Wilton shortstop Brett Phillips.
Norwalk would not score again, though it had a pair of prime opportunities. Palombo snuck out of jams in the second and sixth innings with Norwalk runners in scoring position.
Palombo helped his own cause with an RBI single to left in the sixth, tying the game. Mike Dipilato put Wilton up for good with a single to left-center, plating Jimmy Sanzone. Phillips was thrown out at home on a very close play, but that would be all the offense Wilton needed.
Fleming was perfect through three innings, striking out six in six innings pitched. His only hiccup in the sixth inning ultimately cost the team, as Palombo sat Norwalk down 1-2-3 in its final at-bat.
"Our bats just have to get going. Our timing just wasn't there today," Fleming said. "We've played two really close games now and didn't win. I'm going to play my heart out the rest of the season to make sure we win."
Norwalk Senior Legion (7-3) falls to 2 1/2 games behind first place Greenwich in the Zone Four standings. Norwalk hosts Westport on Friday at 5:45 p.m. to kick off a four-game homestand.
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