The Coaches Of Fairfield National Little League Outlast American

In the inaugural Fall Softball classic, a game that we hope will become an annual event, the coaches from Fairfield National Little League outlasted the coaches of Fairfield American 24-18 in 9 innings, winning $600 to be donated to Fairfield National Little League in support of their program. The affair started with a tribute to those who lost their lives 19 years ago on 9/11, with both National and American lining up on the first and third base lines for a 19-second moment of silence.

After first pitch, the game was back and forth throughout, in a tightly contested matchup that saw few errors but many great swings - save for one swinging strike out (no names will be leaked). Additionally, no one got hurt and everyone looked like they could still play ball!

After 3 innings, the score was tied at 5 apiece until Fairfield National dropped a 7-spot in the bottom of the fourth on doubles by Jeff Johnston and Chad Armstrong, singles by Gianni DiMeglio, Erik Marko, and Jack Manno, and a clutch triple by Bill Eller. Not to be outdone, Fairfield American put up 10 runs in their half of the fifth inning for a 15-12 lead. This would be the last time American would lead the game as National put up 4 runs in the 6th, 1 in the 7th and 7 in the 8th, with singles from Colin Gilbert, Dylan O'Connor, Jeff Johnston, Michael Lombardi, Jerry Tavella, Alan Webber, Jack Manno and Rob Pappa.

Defensively, both teams were nearly perfect, making the plays that we routinely tell our boys they must make. Bill Eller made a Brooks Robinson-esque bare-handed play at third, with an amazing tag at first by Michael Lombardi, that had the 2 ladies in attendance nearly in tears. It was magical! Rob Pappa and Chad Armstrong were excellent splitting time on the mound, with very few, if any, walks issued.

Fairfield National scored 24 runs on 26 hits, with Dylan O'Connor chipping in with 3 hits, Jeff Johnston with 3, Michael Lombardi with 3, Bill Eller with 3, Chad Armstrong with 2, Gianni DiMeglio with 2, Brain Pallozollo with 2, and Jack Manno with 2.

It was a great night, camaraderie was high, and the weather couldn't have been any better.

National is excited to defend their title in 2021, hopefully with a bit more fanfare, assuming COVID-19 is a distant memory.

Way to go Fairfield National coaches!