Behind spectacular pitching, defense and timely hitting the Connecticut Tides 17U team emerged as champions in the Triple Crown Sports 3rd Annual “Don’t Boot the Loot Invitational.” This 16-team invite only tournament was open only to teams that have won a prior Triple Crown Sports event. In addition, the only way to be crowned champion was to have a perfect 4-0 record. The Tides beat the Merrimack Valley Thunder (8-0) and the Connecticut Hit Club (6-4) to advance to the semi-final round. In the semi’s, the Tides beat the Baseball U New England Royals by a score of 2-0. John Lauttenbach (Norwalk, ’11) recorded the win on the mound throwing an absolute masterpiece. He allowed only two hits while striking out ten Baseball U hitters. Eric Jones (Ridgefield ’12) homered and scored the other run for the Tides on a single by Kyle Ogren (John Jay Cross River ’12). In the finals, the Tides beat the Connecticut Cyclones by a score of 1-0. The score was 0-0 until the bottom of the seventh when Chris Holomakoff (Brien McMahon ’12) doubled and then scored on a Paul Merolla (Wilton ’12) single. Merolla and Jack Voigt (Brunswick ’12) combined for the shutout on the mound.