The West Hartford Little League 10U team completed its summer season District 7 championship run with a win Saturday afternoon, and now move on to section competition.
West Hartford Little League 10U players celebrate with a lap around the field after winning the championship. Courtesy photo
Submitted by Dan Weiss, Coach
On Saturday afternoon, West Hartford Little League’s 10U District All Stars, comprised of 9- and 10-year old ball players, won the District 7 championship.
The team, known as “The Dirt Dawgs,” qualified for the district playoffs after compiling a 4-1 record in district play against other local towns. They reached the championship game after defeating a strong Cromwell team 9-3.
The Dirt Dawgs then faced the talented and undefeated Glastonbury American team in the district championship. These evenly matched teams had competed earlier in the week, with Glastonbury American winning 1-0 in a pitchers’ duel.
On Saturday, Glastonbury American took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning of the championship game, with the Dirt Dawgs battling back and holding on for a 7-3 win. After the game, the Dawgs ran with the district flag for a lap around the field, to a thundering ovation from their many proud supporters in attendance.
The Dirt Dawgs, the West Hartford Little League 10U team, celebrates after winning the District 7 championship with a win over Glastonbury. Courtesy photo
The team has worked hard since early June to prepare for this summer season. All players have put team goals ahead of individual goals, support each other as a family, and are having fun playing baseball together. The Dirt Dawgs play team baseball, which is exemplified by 13 players working together while striving towards the highest levels of competition and sportsmanship. All players have made significant contributions to the team’s overall success.
The Dirt Dawgs are the fourth team in West Hartford Little League’s history to achieve the milestone of a district title, following the path set by the 10U District All Star teams in 2014, 2015, and 2018.
Congratulations to all of the 10U District All Stars on their tremendous accomplishment: Will Caines, Desmond Cianflone, Jack Dawson, Nick Humiston, Jack Huttner, Collin Ivens, Sean Kavanagh, Quinn O’Neil, Evan Schuyler, Grady Waxkrell, Sammy Weiss, Silas Wills, and Johnny Wilmes.
The team is coached by Jeff Cianflone, Scott Ivens, Adam Schuyler, and Dan Weiss. The assistant coaches are Eric Caines, Seth Huttner, Chuck Kavanagh, Matt Wax-Krell, and Mike Wilmes. All coaches have been honored to work with such a fine group of young athletes.
The team is grateful for all of the support that they have received from current and former coaches, players, board members, family members, and friends. The Dirt Dawgs are proud to represent West Hartford Little League and our town and will continue to give their best effort in the upcoming sectional tournament against the all star teams from East Lyme Little League and Madison Little League.
The winner of this sectional tournament will advance to the state final four tournament. The Dirt Dawgs will play their first game of sectionals against the 10U East Lyme All Stars on Wednesday, July 21, at 7 p.m. at Volunteer Field in Newington (145 New Britain Ave., Newington).
The Dirt Dawgs on the sidelines before facing Glastonbury for the championship. Courtesy photo
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