Daniele powers Norwalk

Nederland, Texas' Justin Ridgaway scores the game's first run as Norwalk, Conn., catcher Kevin Daniele can't quite grasp the ball on Tuesday at the Babe Ruth 14-year-old World Series at Adams Field in Quincy. Gary Higgins photo/The Patriot Ledger

By IAN SPENCER
The Patriot Ledger

QUINCY – If Kevin Daniele keeps hitting the way he has, by the time Sunday comes around the 14 year-old Norwalk, Conn., slugger might not want to leave.

Daniele once again plated the winning run for the New England region champions in a 2-1, nine-inning victory over Nederland, Texas, on Tuesday.

“It was my second time facing this pitcher.  I knew what he had,” said Daniele. “I ended up working the count and got a pitch over the middle of the plate.  I took it to the opposite field and it just kept rolling. And Alex (Petridis) with his speed ended up scoring.”

In his previous game, Daniele had a two-run homer and single in the winning run.  He also tied the Nederland contest with a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Bryan Daniello, the starting pitcher.

Daniello worked seven solid innings and escaped tight situations numerous times before giving way to Petridis.

Center fielder Gerran Freeman knocked in Nederland’s only run in the third inning.

Jacob Pitts pitched five innings in which he struck out nine for the Southwest champions. The performance earned him his team’s player of the game honors.

Nederland fell to 2-1 in pool play with the loss.

Norwalk, also 2-1, jumped into second place in the National Division pool standings with its second consecutive win.

Daniele said the experience has helped him evolve as a player.

 “It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s definitely making mature more as a player, being with a host family, and spending more time with the team.”
  
  

Ian Spencer may be reached at ispencer@ledger.com.