Fairfield National Powers Way Past Fairfield American in District 2 Pool Play

Fairfield National's Nate Jackson delivers a pitch during the fifth inning

On the strength of two home runs, Fairfield National Little League defeated Fairfield American 6-3 in pool play of the District 2 tournament on Wednesday night at Blackham School in Bridgeport. 

Fairfield American got off to a strong start, scoring three runs in the first inning. Ian Moore led off the game with a single to center. Four batters later, with runners on first and second, Nate Swineford singled to center to bring in Moore. 

Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Cole Krollman singed to center to bring in Brennan Davis, who had walked, and Swineford to put American up 3-0. 

National came right back in the bottom half of the inning. Nick Garfalo singled with one out, the next batter, Jimmy Dobbs homered to right-center field to cut the American lead to 3-2. 

National would tie the game an inning later. Nate Jackson led off with an infield single to shortstop. After a strikeout, Jake Capola walked and Brady Takacs singled to right to load the bases. The next batter, Garfalo, worked a full-count walk to bring in Jackson and tie the game at three. 

After the three-run first inning, American would be shut down offensively for the remainder of the game, managing just two hits over the final five innings against three National pitchers. Garafolo picked up the win, throwing four innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while striking out six, walking two and hitting one. Jackson threw two-thirds of an inning, bridging the gap to Tommy Galvin, who picked up the save. 

National broke the scoreless tie in the fourth. Galvin reached on a lead-off walk. After back-to-back strikeouts, Garfalo, the left-handed batter, drove all ball to the opposite field that easily cleared the left-field fence and landed on the field on other main field in the complex. 

American had their chances, as they left eight men on base, including leaving the bases loaded in both the fifth and sixth innings. 

National improves to 1-0, American drops to 1-1 in District 2 Pool Play. 

Here's the broadcast as Rob Adams and I had the call on Robcasting Radio.