BANGOR, Maine –The U.S. Southeast regional champion Dumfries District L.L. from Dumfries, Virginia, beat the U.S. East regional champion Clifton American/National L.L. from Clifton, New Jersey, 4-3, at Mansfield Stadium on Sunday in the second game of the 2016 Senior League World Series.
Dumfries District L.L. battled back from a one-run deficit in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on three hits to take a two run lead over Clifton American/National L.L.
Carson Arguin led off the inning with a walk before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Starting pitcher Anthony Stehlin drove a one out double to left field that scored Arguin. Stehlin advanced to third and scored the go-ahead run on an infield single from catcher Tristan Thorgersen.
“I wanted to get it low,” said Stehlin. “I hit a line drive and I was very happy with it.”
Third baseman Darien Porter batted in the third run of the inning for the Virginia team on a double that scored designated hitter Devin Logsdon. Porter also singled in the game.
Dumfries added a run in the fifth inning when left fielder Jack Dumoulin scored on a bunt from Daniel Hupart.
Clifton American/National L.L. got back two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two out double from Anthony Delgado that scored Brandon Pena and Ryan Boccafogli.
Pena had two doubles and one RBI in the game.
That was as close as the New Jersey team would come. Arguin came to the mound in the bottom of the seventh for Dumfries District L.L. to face the middle of the New Jersey order, striking out two in the save.
“I wasn’t really afraid of the middle of the order. I just wanted to put them out and end the game,” said Arguin.
Arguin was the fourth pitcher for the Virginia team. Stehlin allowed one hit and one run in three innings to begin the game. Hupart pitched one and two thirds innings and Blake Gatewood pitched one and a third inning in relief. The four pitchers gave up a combined seven hits.
“Usually, early in the tournament, we’re always looking at 30 to 45 pitches and that’s what I tried to aim at and we hit it,” said Stehlin.
The New Jersey team couldn’t take advantage of scoring opportunities, leaving 10 runners on base in the game, including bases loaded situations in the first and fourth innings.
“Twice bases loaded with less than two outs and we couldn’t push a run across,” said Clifton American/National L.L. coach Brian Valentine. “That hurts. It really does hurt.”
Joe Matos started on the mound for Clifton American/National L.L., allowing two hits and striking out three in three innings. David Torres allowed five hits and two walks in three innings, and Delgado allowed one hit and struck out one in the seventh inning.
Clifton American/National L.L. will play in an elimination game against U.S. Southwest regional champion Capitol Park L.L. of San Antonio, Texas, on Monday at 8 p.m. Capitol Park L.L. lost to Maine District 3 champion Bronco-Hermon L.L. on Monday, 9-8.
Dumfries District L.L. advances to play the U.S. West regional champion Central East Maui L.L. at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
