Staples second baseman Jules Cicero makes a defensive play early in Wednesday’s playoff victory over New Milford. / Photos by Mark Sikorski

By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — No. 19 Staples defeated No. 30 New Milford 5-3 in the Class LL State baseball tournament’s second round at home Wednesday.

With the win, the Wreckers advance to the quarterfinals and will host one of New Milford’s South-West Conference foes, No. 27 Newtown, at 1 p.m. Saturday.

In game against New Milford, Staples fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but rallied for two runs in the bottom of the opening frame and added two in the fourth for a 4-1 lead.

Mason Tobias was the Wreckers’ starting pitcher Wednesday.

Luke Oakley had a hit, walk and two runs batted in. Jack Farnen had two hits, including a booming double off the outfield wall, walked, drove in a run and scored three times. Cooper Brundige and Andrew Oppenheimer both had hits and drove in runs.

Mason Tobias pitched 4.2 innings and allowed one run on three hits while striking out two. Ben Cukier went one inning and allowed two runs on two hits. Kai Nee pitched 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit and struck out three.

 (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest updates.)  

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.

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