Vienna Advances to the Championship

 Logan Claybrook pitched a complete game and Jeff Cazenas and Kalib Ashcraft hit two runs homers, to guide the Senior League Vienna All Stars to the state championship, in Lawrenceville (Virginia), with a 10-4 victory over Northern Fairfax County (NFC) All Stars.

After a base on balls to the leadoff hitter Danny Delgado in the first inning, Cazenas hit a bomb between center and right field for his home run. Vienna added another run in that inning with a base on balls to Claybrook, an error and a ground ball RBI by Robbie Harris.

They scored their four run in the 4th inning with a base on balls to Sammy Criscitello, another base on balls to Delgado, and a ground ball RBI by Cazenas. The 5th run came in the fifth inning with a double from Matt Livingston, and an RBI single by Chris Anzilotti. Criscitello also singled in that inning.

NFC scored 2 runs in the top of the 4th with 2 hits and an error, and a third one in the 5th with a home run. But Vienna responded with 2 more in the bottom of the fifth with base on balls to Anzilotti and Criscitello, a hit from Joe Halligan, a ground ball error and a sacrifice fly from Jeffrey Cazenas.

Vienna expanded their lead in the bottom of the sixth with a base on balls to Livingston, the 2 run home run from Ashcraft, base on balls to Harris and Bradley Cazenas and an infield hit from Delgado.

Claybrook pitched 7 innings, spreading 10 hits and striking out 5.

With the bat, Cazenas was 2 for 4, with a home run and 4 RBIs; Ashcraft 1 for 4, with a home run and 2 RBIs; Livingston 2 for 3, with 2 runs; Anzilotti 1 for 2, with a run and an RBI; Criscitello 1 for 2, 2 runs and 2 base on balls; Halligan 1 for 3; and Delgado 1 for 3, with a run and 2 RBIs.

In Tuesday’s first semifinal game, Greater Fairfax came from behind to beat Vienna 17-13.

The game took around 24 hours, after being suspended Monday due to rain.

Greater Fairfax took the lead in the first inning but Vienna responded with 2 runs, including a hit from Jeff Cazenas and a double from Ashcraft.

Vienna scored 6 runs, after 2 outs, in the second inning, with a hit from Patrick Abrahamsen, a double from Danny Delgado, a hit by Cazenas, back to back home runs from Logan Claybrook and Matt Livingston, a double by Kalib Ashcraft and an RBI single by Robbie Harris.

The game was postponed by rain in the bottom of the third with Vienna winning 8-4 and Chris Anzilotti on base after an infield hit.

When the game restored, Sammy Criscitello got a base on balls and Delgado hit a double against the center right field fence to bring home 2 runs. Vienna was leading 11-4 in the top of the 4th, but with two hits and an error, Greater Fairfax scored 3. Greater Fairfax got a break in the fifth after 2 hits and 3 errors that closed the game 11-10.

Greater Fairfax exploded in the 6th with 8 hits and 7 runs, to take the lead 17-11.

Vienna threaten in the bottom of the seven after a hit from Criscitello, 2 base on balls, an RBI hits from Claybrook and Livingston. The game ended with a victory 17-13 for Greater Fairfax.

For Vienna, Ashcraft was 4 for 5, with 3 doubles; Delgado 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs; Cazenas 2 for 4, with 3 runs; Claybrook 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs; Livingston 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs; Harris 1 for 4 with and RBI; Abrahamsen 1 for 2, with an RBI: Anzilotti 1 for 4 with a run; and Criscitello 1 for 3, and 2 runs.

After Vienna (3-1) defeats NFC, the team will face Greater Fairfax (3-0) today at 1:00 p.m.. Because Greater Fairfax is undefeated, Vienna needs to win 2 to be the state champions. The winner of the state tournament will participate in the South East Regionals, hosted by NFC, in Chantilly.