The BVSA Angels captured the New Canaan Baseball Majors Championship with a hard-fought 5-1 victory over the CT Sandwich Company Orioles.
With a league-best regular season, top-seeded Orioles started lefty Matt Balkun, who showed great control shutting down the Angels in the top of the 1st. The Angels started ace Jack Ellis, equally in command as he fanned two Orioles batters for a 1-2-3 1st inning.
In the 2nd, the Angels were able to jump on top as Ryan Werneburg drove a double to deep left and was brought home by sharp singles from Andrew Rashad and Austin Platt. Balkun later snared a Charlie Mehos line drive to end the threat.
Seizing that momentum, the Orioles responded as Cameron Hill laced a lead-off single. Matt Benevento and Charlie von Oehsen would also reach base and Hill knotted the score as Will Besgen battled for a bases-loaded walk.
Front: Jackson LaSusa, Charlie Mehos, Zack Ramppen, Ryan Werneburg, Austin Platt, Andrew Rashad. Back: Chris LaSusa, Clete Wheeler, Jack Ellis, Mikey McDonnell, Cos DeFelice, Jack O’Donnell, Scott Werneburg, Ben Loomis. Missing: Steve Mehos. Photo Credit: Chris Ellis
Jack Sanders was outstanding in relief for the O’s, striking out six batters on the day, but in the 4th, Zack Ramppen ripped a single, Jack O’Donnell and Werneburg drew walks to load the bases. All three scored unearned runs in the game’s lone bit of loose defense, which would prove to be the difference.
Angels speed helped tack on an insurance run in the 6th as Clete Wheeler reached and stole two bases before Jackson LaSusa knocked him home, beating-out an infield single. Closer Ramppen shut the door with three straight Ks, securing the New Canaan title for the Angels.