Fairfield American, Cumberland National Meet With Trip To LLWS On The Line

Fairfield American manager Chris Daley and John Brodeur - his counterpart from Cumberland National - rolled the dice by opting not to start their aces in the semifinals of the New England Regionals.

They might not publicly admit it, but clearly they were looking ahead to facing each other in the championship game.

The gamble nearly backfired for both of them, especially Cumberland National, which had to rally for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to post a 5-4 semifinal win over a 1-3 Vermont team.

As for Fairfield National, it held for a 10-8 victory over New Hampshire after surrendering four runs in the bottom of the sixth.

So, in the end, Daley and Brodeur got what they wanted by saving their aces until today's game (7 p.m., ESPN) with a berth in the Little League World Series on the line.

Barring some unforseen turn of events, Fairfield American's Nick Nardone will face Cumberland National's Tyler Calanro in a rematch of their duel eight days, when each allowed only three hits in the best game of the tournament.

Calabro actually got the win against Vermont with 1 1/3 perfect innings out of the bullpen, striking out all four batter he faced. But he only threw 18 pitches, meaning he has his full allotment of 85 available tonight.

 Cumberland National ended up handing Fairfield American its only defeat of the postseason, 2-0, on a two-run single by Dante Baldelli in the bottom of the fifth inning. Baldelli, the younger brother of former major leaguer Rocco Baldelli, had all three hits off Nardone.

Since then, however, Fairfield American's offense has come alive, banging out 25 hits in the last two games. Daley also has his pitching set up well, as he can also use Eddie Magi, who won Fairfield American's first two games in the  tournament, and Patrick O'Leary out of the bullpen.

Nardone had to come on in relief to close the door against New Hampshire, but he needed just eight pitches to record a pair of strikeouts to close out the win.

Fairfield American is looking to become the 15th team to represent Connecticut in the Little League World Series and the second since Trumbull National won it all in 1989. Shelton National went two years ago.

Other Fairfield County teams to advance to Williamsport include: Stamford American, 1983; Stamford Federal, 1981, Stratford Original, 1963; Darien, 1958; Stamford, 1957; Norwalk, 1952; Stamford, 1951, and Bridgeport, 1950.

Four teams squads from the Land of Steady Habits  have won the LLWS. The others are: Stamford, 1951; Norwalk, 1952; and Windsor Locks, 1965.

Karl Ravech and Bobby Valentine will broadcast Saturday's game for ESPN.