Stamford Junior Legion Rallies Into State Semis

STAMFORD, Conn. – The Stamford American Legion Junior division team rallied from a 4-0 deficit to stun Bethel, 5-4, and reach the semifinals of the state tournament Wednesday night in Bethel. Stamford will return to Bethel on Thursday to play West Hartford in the semifinals.

The championship game is scheduled for Saturday.

Stamford scored three runs in the sixth to take the lead, and Ryan Duggan closed out the victory by stranding two runners in the seventh.

“I was thinking (the coaching staff) might change pitchers, because they’re usually pretty aggressive with that,’’ Duggan said. “I’m glad I got to stay in and finish it off.”

A key Bethel error helped Stamford rally in the sixth. Ronnie Jackson doubled to start the inning, and, after a strikeout, Andrew Puccella’s single made it 4-3. Puccella was thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double on a close call. After Billy Murphy walked and Brian Pollack singled, Randy Polonia’s soft fly just behind second base fell out of the second baseman’s glove as Murphy scored the tying run. Kevin Stone followed with the game-winning hit, a line single to chase Pollack home with the deciding run.

“My first two at-bats I didn’t see the ball well at all,’’ Stone said. “Then it looked as big as a beach ball. I was just looking for something that I could get into the outfield and get the run home.”

Stamford (25-4) looked shaky early as Bethel scored unearned runs in each of the first two innings. Starting pitcher Andrew Martin left in the second inning having not allowed a hit, but having walked four and hit a batter. Peter Dawson relieved and allowed two runs in the third before Duggan came on in the fifth.

Duggan retired the first six batters he faced before Bethel threatened with a double and a single with two outs in the seventh. Duggan struck out Matt Liquori to end the game.

"We really want to do this,'' Stone said. "We know this team got to the state final last year. We we want to take it all the way this time."

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