Foley wins Division 2 championship

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The Peter J. Foley 9-10 baseball all-stars won the Division 2 championship. -CONTRIBUTED
The Peter J. Foley 9-10 baseball all-stars won the Division 2 championship. -CONTRIBUTED

The Peter J. Foley 9-10 baseball all-stars proved that it isn’t over until it’s over.

Foley advanced to the state tournament “final four” with an improbable comeback to win the Division 2 championship.

Foley’s next game is against Fairfield-National Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Trumbulll at Unity Park. If they win, they advance to the state tournament best-of-three championship round.

Foley responded after losses to Avon (16-0) and Farmington (20-4) in the pool play format. Last weekend, Foley avenged those losses with a 7-6 win over Farmington and a 6-2 victory over Avon.

The victory over Farmington was come-from-behind fashion, Michael Clemente started and went 3 1/3 innings with six strikeouts while Matt Kilmer shut the door with 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

The win started in the bottom of the fifth inning with the team down 6-2. Foley scored three runs in the fifth and then two more in the sixth.

The sixth-inning rally was started by Thomas Barry, who beat out an infield single with no one on base. Mike Smith then laced a double over the left fielder’s head. Michael Clemente hit a single to set the stage for Kendall Allen, who hit a game-winning, one-hopper down the third base line that barely missed going foul.

Barry had three hits, Clemente had two hits (including a two-run homer) and Blake Stone had two hits, while Smith was on base two times including a game-tying double and scored two runs including the game-winning run.

Micah Campominosi added an RBI triple and Allen had two hits.

“This was truly one of the best games that I have ever took part in, coaching or playing,” Foley manager Christian Main said.

Allen started against Avon and pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up only two runs and struck out five.

Barry came in relief and closed out the win pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Barry had three hits, Smith had two hits, Stone had two hits, Campominosi was on base three times, and Kilmer was on base three times and scored two runs.

Rounding out the roster and making significant contributions on and off the field are Aaron Buxton, Jacob Guggino, Jack Healy, Ethan Jensen, and Jayson Main. Assistant coaches are Mike D’Agnone and Mike Doxsey.

“I have renamed this group of players to the name ‘The Cardiac Kids,’ as they have taken my heart along with every parent and fan on this wonderful journey,” Main said.