All-star Babe Ruth team earns championship title - By Jim Beers

The Windham 14-year-old All Star Babe Ruth team captured the State Championship title last Sunday afternoon. In needing to win one of two games, Windham beat Augusta 4-1 in the second game to secure the State Championship and advance to the regional tournament, in Westfield, Massachusetts.

“Stellar defense and great pitching," said coach Brett Turenne proudly about the title clinching game.

Windham opened the tournament in exciting fashion with a walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh inning, 11-10 over Augusta on Friday. After jumping out to a 3-1 first inning lead, Windham went up 7-3 after the second frame. Augusta battled back to take the lead 10-9 in the top of the sixth, setting up the walk-off win in the seventh. 

"Great comeback," said Turenne.

On Saturday Windham was right back at it, facing Apple Valley. Scoring two in the first, Windham added another in the sixth to hold on and win 3-1. 

“Great pitching duel," said Turenne.

On Sunday, Augusta was back and looking to beat Windham twice for its own State title. In the first game, Windham scored one in the first inning and another in the sixth, but couldn't put anything else together, and lost 4-2. 

"They played great defense and kept us off balance the whole game," said Turenne. "They took care of business in the second game. We as coaches are very proud of the boys," he added.

Windham will open the regional tournament in Massachusetts against Vermont, on Friday July 25th, at 10 a.m. A win will give them a 7 p.m. game on Saturday night, a loss will have them play at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Here are the members of the 14-year-old All-star Babe Ruth State champs: Nolan Anderson, Maxx Bell, Tanner Bernier, Mike Gilman, Cam McCartney, Wade Sansone, Luke Miller, Zach Skillings, AJ Eisenhart, Josiah Rottari, Gio Ruotolo, Evan Millett and Zack Mann.

"We had great pitching and defense all tournament long. Scoring in the first inning of every game really got us going, allowing us to put the pressure on the other teams early. We hope to stay on this roll going into the regionals," said Turenne.


PIC 1: The team after winning the state championship.