7/9/08--Matt Dinello smashed a three-run shot in the fifth inning to help Southington South beat (and eliminate) Berlin 5-2 and set up a rematch with McCabe-Waters in the District 5 championship game.

Justin Rose led off the game with a walk and later scored on an infield single by Zack Maxwell to give Southington South a quick 1-0 lead.

Chris Labbadia singled and Mitchel Williams hit a two-run homerun to give Berlin the 2-1 lead after one.

Southington South managed a fifth inning rally to put them up for good.  Keith Pomposi worked a leadoff walk.  Rose reached on a fielder’s choice and Bobby Coleman reached on an error.  That’s when Dinello made Berlin pay for their mistakes and crushed one out of the park to give Southington a 4-2 lead.

Southington added an insurance run in the sixth when Chris Bunko laced a single.  Joe Gambardella entered to pinch run and scored on a Corbin Garry single to make it 5-2.

Andrew Hoffman was outstanding on the mound for Southington to earn the win.  His off-speed pitch had Berlin batters leaning all day.  He allowed four hits, two walks (one intentional) and struck out ten in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

Brendan Butler and Scott McLeod added a hit each for Berlin.

Southington South looks to get revenge on McCabe-Waters tonight at Stanley Park in New Britain at 6pm.  McCabe-Waters already beat Southington, so Southington will have to win two games in a row to earn the District 5 title.

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