Tolland Juniors Are Section 2 Champions

The Tolland Junior All-Stars mercied Portland in the final game to determine the Section 2 Championship Monday night. Nick Paasch pitched the entire game, leading Tolland in rock-solid defense to hold the opposition. The final score was Tolland 12, Portland 1.

After an hour-long rain delay in the bottom of the first inning, the Tolland boys got three runs to take the lead.

In the fourth inning, Tolland scored an unbelievable nine runs, with hits from Paasch, Vinny Farrell, Andrew Clokey, Thomas Slane, Corey Domingos, Eric Gottier, and Jacob Simon. By the end of the inning, Tolland had the 12 runs they needed to mercy Portland in the fifth.

After two strikeouts in the top of the fifth inning, a Portland runner stole home, giving Portland one run. On their next hit, a quick play to second base ended the game, making Tolland the Section 2 Champions.

Relatives and fans crowded home plate to take pictures of the coaches and players. Said manager Steve Paasch, "I've never heard of a Tolland team getting this far."

Both teams received commemorative pins for being Section 2 Finalists, and the Tolland All-Stars were also given a championship banner.

Tolland will now move on to play in the states.  Their next game will be Saturday in Orange, CT.