By Andy Hutchinson

Kai Nee, in action late this spring, pitched Staples into the second round of the state playoffs with a dominant performance against Ridgefield. Andy Hutchison photo

The No. 9 seed Staples baseball team won its Class LL State Tournament opener, defeating visiting and No. 24 Ridgefield 4-1 in the first round on Monday.
Kai Nee pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and a trio of walks while striking out eight batters. He pitched a shutout into the seventh inning.
Cooper Brundige provided the power with a home run. Brundige also walked, drove in two runs and scored twice. Cole Landgraf and Bruce Schlegelmilch also delivered hits and runs batted in. Jules Cicero had a hit and run scored. Staples scored single runs in each of the first three frames as well as in the fifth.
The Wreckers advance to visit No. 8 Southington in the second round on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.
(Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.)
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