Berlin 12 All-Stars Will Go To Crossover Round As Top Seed

Sunday's game between the Berlin 12-year-old All-Stars and McCabe-Waters of Bristol could be a preview of the championship game for the District 5 Championship. 

Both teams came into Sunday's game unbeaten in pool play and the Bristol team took a 4-0 lead to start the game but Berlin had too much power and improved to 5-0 in pool play with a 12-6 victory at Petit Field in Berlin. 

Berlin advanced to within one game of the state championship as 11-year-olds last year. The players seemed unfazed by the early deficit and struck back quickly to take an 8-4 lead.

"I was interested to see what we would do because that was the first time we have been behind in the tournament," said head coach Vin Biscoglio. "We have been ahead the whole tournament but it was business as usual. Nobody seemed worried and we just plugged away at it." 

With Berlin leading 8-4 in the fifth inning, the teams had to wait out a weather delay. The delay hampered pitcher Nick Carroll as he struggled with control. He threw enough strikes, however, to keep McCabe-Waters at bay. 

McCabe Waters closed the gap to 8-6 in the fifth when Carroll lost the strike zone but he worked out of it and stopped the damage there.

Berlin extended its lead to 12-6 in the bottom of the fifth when David Biscoglio hit his fifth home run of the tournament, this one a grand slam. Holden Murphy was hit by a pitch, Sam Capodice singled and Gianni Fanelli walked to load the bases. After an out, Biscoglio hit his home run the other way three quarters the way up the trees in right field. It was deep. 

"Yup, he started off slow but has started seeing it a little bit better,' Coach Biscoglio said. "Every game we have someone step up at the right time.  We have a good bunch of hitters on the team that can strike quickly." 

Berlin plays again at home Tuesday night at Petit Field against Plainville. After that the crossover games will start and it is likely the home team may see McCabe-Waters again. 

Follow the team on Berlin Patch.