Darien Softball Wins Fourth-Straight District 1 Title

DARIEN, Conn. – After winning its fourth straight District 1 Little League championship Monday, Darien’s softball team is poised to be a big factor in the upcoming Section 1 tournament.

Darien’s softball team scored a 10-0 victory over Redding-Easton at Middlebrook School in Wilton as Sophie Barbour pitched a one-hitter with five strikeouts. Darien finished the tournament 5-0, outscored opponents 70-9 and won every game by the mercy rule. Little League games end when a team gets 10 runs ahead.

Darien could get an early test in the Section 1 tournament when with a potential matchup against defending state champion Fairfield on Thursday in Shelton. Connecticut has two sections for Little League. The winners from each meet for the state title. Fairfield plays Black Rock for the District 2 title on Tuesday.

Manager Perry Pierce believes his team could play a huge role this year. “In the past our sectional results haven’t been that good,’’ Pierce said. “But we have a team that has experience. We think they’ll be able to hit and clearly the defense is there. As 10-year-olds, these girls won two games. I don’t see why we can’t make a run like that again.”

Barbour is the team’s ace, but Pierce has pitching depth behind her. Darien also played an error-free game Monday, with several sparkling plays by Cassidy Schiff at first base and Caleigh Morr at second base. The offense was balanced with seven hits, with RBIs from Leila Krishnan, Schiff and Zazi Fee.

Darien broke the game open with seven runs in the fourth. Redding-Easton committed two errors, while three walks, a hit batsman and two passed balls also proved costly. Darien had three hits in the inning and stole six bases.

Darien’s District 1 softball champions include Caleigh Morr, Zazi Fee, Kristen Picard, Cassidy Schiff, Emily Gianunzio, Emily Roberson, Sophie Barbour, Aislin Florio, Leela Krishnan, Julia Mazzotta, Brittany Pierce and Jessica Carla. Pierce is the manager, assisted by Bob Mazzotta and Keith Gianunzio.

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