Waterford 15s win state Babe Ruth title

Simsbury - By today's standards, the Waterford Babe Ruth 15-year-old team's postgame celebration was pretty tame after it won the state championship Monday.

No spastic antics. No pig piles. Just lots of smiles and handslaps.

Winning state titles has become second-nature to Waterford. The District 6 champs won the 14-year-old state championship last summer, but fell short of winning the New England tournament.

Waterford gets a second chance at New Englands after it beat Simsbury, 7-4, at Memorial Park.

"We're the third-ever team (from Waterford) to do this, win two straight state (Babe Ruth) championships," winning pitcher Adam Goss said. "We're not done yet, though. Absolutely not. We're not happy yet."

The New England tournament begins Aug. 2 at Quincy, Mass.

"Last year after we won the state championship, we were just happy to be there (New Englands)," Goss said. "We said we weren't, but I feel like we were. This year, that experience is just going to help us tremendously and help us get to the next level.

"Last year we went up there and we weren't sure if we could compete with (the other teams). Now we're absolutely confident."

Goss did his part for Waterford. He pitched a six-hitter with five strikeouts, four walks and two earned runs.

"Adam Goss is an absolute winner," Waterford manager Kevin Irvine said. "I had no doubts in my mind that he was going to get the job done because he's incredible. He always has been. The last three years, any big game, we know he's got it in the bag."

Goss helped his cause with two doubles and two runs.

Connor Lewis had two hits, including an RBI double, and a run for the Waterford. Kyle Chung added two hits, including a two-run single, and Jesse Coates hit a two-run single.

"Connecticut is tough (to win)," Irvine said. "I'm very proud of these guys, the way they competed. I'm just so happy for them because those kids are the best and they deserve it."

Simsbury started the game with a walk and two singles to load the bases. Jack Nickles followed with an fielder's choice to score Jack Patrina.

Jake Pohl walked with two outs to load the bases again, but Goss got Jordan Whaley to ground out to end the threat.

Waterford struck fast with three runs in its half of the third. Griffen Archambault's RBI single scored Sam Stout with one out. With two outs, Coates hit a 2-2 pitch up the middle to give Waterford a 3-1 lead.

Justin Pandolfe scored in the bottom of the second on a two-out error to push Waterford ahead, 4-1.

Lewis singled and Coates walked to start the Waterford third. They both advanced on stolen bases. Chung followed with a two-run single down the third base line as Waterford increased its lead to 6-1.

Waterford led 6-3 with two outs in the fourth when Goss doubled on the first pitch he saw into centerfield. He scored on Lewis' double.

Waterford finished with 10 hits, three of which were doubles.

"If we keep hitting like this, not many teams can beat us," Goss said. "I strongly believe that.

"I think we have a good run in us."