The final game of the 8th annual Carl Burdick Coach Pitch Tournament in Stratford was an all Milford affair.
On one side you had The Milford Blue Thunder/Gold squad and on the other side you had The Milford Red Machine. There was the feeling of family not just because both finalists were from Milford, but you had the true familial aspect with three sets of brothers playing on opposing sides.
Matthew Galligan, Matthew Stevens and Andre Peterson were all members of the Blue/Gold squad, while Christian Galligan, Nicholas Stevens and Major Peterson were on the Red squad. To add just a bit more intrigue all of the boys fathers were coaching in the game as well.
In the end, Milford Blue/Gold took home the title. Norwalk was able to edge out Bridgeport in the consolation game and take home third place.
Milford Red was able to jump out to a 1-0 lead, before Milford Blue/Gold went ahead 4-1 after an inning of play.
In what was a well-played game, the Blue/Gold squad was led by the stellar defensive play of Jake Stash and Declan Wywoda, who along with Cal Wrigley, Alex Rodriguez, Justin Gentallan, Louis Lozada, Matthew Stevens, Matthew Galligan, Ryan Giambra, Andre Peterson, Steve Witteman and Ben Britton, were able to stay a step ahead of the Red squad.
Key contributors for the Milford Red team were Jack Thomas, Jackson Gryzwacz and William LeCuyer, who along with Jack Beaupre, Major Peterson, Nicholas Stevens, Ethan Toledo, Devin Calvin, John Messore, Alexander Bludevich, Thomas Fawcett, Patrick Butler and Christian Galligan were able to push the Blue/ Gold squad.
The Milford Junior Major League would like to thank Papas Pizza, Total Lawn Care and More LLC and Napoli Deli for their sponsorship of the 8U Tournament team.
Semifinals vs Bridgeport
The Milford Blue Thunder took on the scrappy Bridgeport squad in the semifinals.
The first time around Bridgeport was able to take an early lead on the Milford contingent before being overtaken and left with a 17-11 loss.
The second time around was not as productive for the boys from the Park City. Milford was methodical both at the plate and in the field in a 11-1 mercy-rule shortened contest.
Jake Stash, Declan Wywoda, Cal Wrigley, Matthew Stevens, Mathew Galligan, Louis Lozada, Justin Gentallan, Steven Witteman, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Giambra, Andre Peterson and Ben Britton contributed both at the plate and in the field.
Semifinals vs Norwalk
Milford Red defeated two-time defending champion Norwalk to gain the final.
Norwalk had defeated Milford, 26-10, earlier in the tourney, but led by Patrick Butler at catcher and an infield of Jack Thomas, Major Peterson, Jackson Grzywacz, Thomas Fawcett, Devin Calvin, Nicholas Stevens and Christian Galligan, the Red team turned the result around.
Pacing Milford from the mound and the outfield were William LeCuyer, Alex Bludevich, Ethan Toledo, Jack Beaupre and John Messore.
The Milford Reds were up 6-5 going into the top half of the final inning, needing insurance and wanting to extend the lead the Milford bats came alive with two outs as LeCuyer ripped a double to drive in two runs.
When all was said and done, Milford went into the bottom half of the inning with a 10-5 advantage.
Norwalk was able to quickly cut the advantage to 10-7, before Thomas at first base and Grzywacz at shortstop put an end to the rally.