TORRINGTON – An undefeated Little League season for the Torrington Marlins culminated in one more win for the team at Abe Correa Field on Thursday, June 20, when the Marlins scored a 6-0 victory against the Cubs to capture the city championship and trophy.

Righty pitcher Owen Curry proved to be a formidable force on the mound for the Marlins, striking out 13 over five innings. The Marlins found their groove offensively in the fourth and fifth innings, climaxing in a triple by Chase Moeller that resulted in three RBI in the fifth.

The Marlins concluded their regular season with a perfect 12-0 record to clinch the No. 1 seed going into the city championships. Earning a bye in the semifinals, the Marlins defeated the Cardinals, 8-6, in the quarterfinals to advance to the title game against the Cubs.

The final tally on Thursday did not reflect a tenacious fight by the Cubs to reach the championship round. Demonstrating marked improvement over the course of the season, the Cubs rallied from a series of losses to go on a seven-game winning streak in June. The Cubs posted a solid overall record of 9-6.

Entering the city championship bracket as the No. 3 seed, the Cubs won the quarterfinals game against the Yankees by a 13-3 margin. Advancing to the semifinals, the Cubs pulled ahead of the Giants, 1-0, to secure a berth in the finals.

Championship game

The first inning between the Marlins and Cubs resulted in a scoreless stalemate. The Marlins quickly achieved three outs in the top of the first. Owen Curry struck out one and caught a pop out. Alarik Leo fielded a grounder for the third out.

Unfazed, the Cubs responded with three speedy outs in the bottom of the first. On the mound, Jax Bruch struck out two. Patrick Mortimore caught a fly ball for out No. 3.

The deadlock continued in the second inning with neither opponent tallying a run. Owen Curry promptly struck out three for the Marlins in the top of the second.

The Marlins reached bases in the bottom of the second with singles by Leo and Alex Chulski before the Cubs obtained three outs. Bruch struck out two while pitching for the Cubs and caught a foul.

The scoreboard remained tied, 0-0, through the third inning. Stepping up to the mound once again for the Marlins, Owen Curry struck out three in a row.

Hudson Hoffman drew a walk for the Marlins in the bottom of the third inning before the Cubs’ fielders closed ranks, culminating in a double play. Mortimore caught a grounder and passed the ball to Colby Yorges on first base for another out.

The Marlins offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning. Owen Curry opened with a triple. Leo followed up with a single, driving in Curry.

Chulski and Benton Foos both singled at bat. Foos drove in Leo as Chulski stole second base. Chulski reached home plate on a pitch.

Mortimore singled for the Cubs in the top of the fourth inning. The Cubs also loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning when Tripper Kosmicki and Jaxton Hatley both drew a walk and Cayson Gurney singled.

The Marlins offense pulled out all the stops in the bottom of the fifth inning. Garcia opened with a single. Reed Curry took his turn at bat and singled while Hoffman ground into a fielder’s choice and Owen Curry drew a walk.

Moeller stepped up to bat for the Marlins with the bases loaded. Swinging into the pitch, Moeller sent the ball flying far into right field for a triple that drove in Hudson, Reed Curry and Owen Curry.

The game entered the top of the sixth inning and Micah Shaddock collected a walk for the Cubs before the Marlins collected three outs. Reed Curry caught a fly ball in center field for the third out, sealing the Marlins’ victory.

Overall, the Marlins tallied 10 hits – two apiece by Owen Curry, Leo, Chulski and one each from Reed Curry, Moeller, Foos and Garcia. Moeller collected three RBI.

Owen Curry pitched five innings for the Marlins, striking out 13. Moeller played relief, striking out one.

The Cubs posted two hits against the Marlins, consisting of singles by Mortimore and Gurney.

On the mound, Bruch started for the Cubs, striking out eight, while Hatley played relief.