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08/24/2019 12:00 AMThe Clinton Little League 10-U All-Star baseball team proved one of the best clubs in the state this summer by going on an impressive run that featured a district title and an appearance in the sectional final. Ultimately, Clinton finished as the sectional runner-up after losing a 6-5 contest against Waterford in the championship game of the Section 3 Tournament.
In sectionals, Clinton got started by defeating Newington by a 9-2 margin in their first game of a three-team playoff. In the second game, Clinton lost to Waterford by the score of 7-0. Newington earned a 4-0 win against Waterford in the next contest. Since each team went 1-1 in the playoffs, qualification for the Section 3 final was determined by which team had allowed the fewest runs. Newington allowed 13 total runs, while Clinton and Waterford allowed nine runs and four runs, respectively, thus advancing to the final.
In the final, Clinton and Waterford faced each other with a spot in the four-team State Tournament on the line. Clinton battled back from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game at 5-5 in the final inning. However, Waterford was able to push a run across the plate and get a 6-5 walk-off victory that ended Clinton’s run.
Clinton received offensive contributions from numerous players during the Section 3 Tournament, including Jack Henry Palazzo, who went 5-for-11 with a walk. Gavin Clow provided three singles and two walks, while Benjamin Brown added a pair of singles, one double, and three walks. Travis Aiken had three hits and walk to his credit. AJ Brown (two hits, four walks) and Trevor Powell (2 hits, 2 walks) also got on base for Clinton in key moments.
Trevor Powell played catcher for Clinton through the district and sectional tournaments, allowing zero stolen bases. Palazzo made a big impact on the mound, especially during the win over Newington, where he allowed just one run and struck out 11 batters.
Prior to sectional play, Clinton recorded several convincing victories in the District 9 Tournament on their way to taking title. Clinton defeated Old Saybrook (19-6), East Haddam (13-3), Middletown (17-3) and then East Haddam (15-5) again to move on to the district final. In the double-elimination matchup, Clinton took on Madison and swept the series by earning a 6-4 win and a 7-4 victory to advance to sectionals.
During the district tourney, Clow had four base hits, while Brown went 4-for-6 with a double and a walk. Aiken supplied a pair of hits, Palazzo had a hit with a sacrifice and a walk, and Ryan Guth hit a double.
The Clinton 10-U Little League All Star team’s roster included Travis Aiken, AJ Brown, Benjamin Brown, Jacoby Brown, Gavin Clow, Hayden Darr, Jacob Gilbert, Ryan Guth, Julian Larabee, Jack Henry Palazzo, Trevor Powell, Cameron Tortorici, and Zachary Viens.