Groton – The entire UConn-Avery Point baseball team collectively held its breath as a seemingly routine ground ball representing the crucial final out bounced toward shortstop Nick Landell.

Only nothing was routine during an exhausting final day of the NJCAA Division II East District baseball tournament on Sunday at Washington Park. Two fiercely competitive games against Monroe Community College saw just about everything happen.

"The way the day was going, I'm going, 'where is this ball going to find a hole?'" coach Roger Bidwell said.

With two runs already in and runners on second and third, the Pointers couldn't exhale until Landell's strong throw nestled safely in first baseman Garrett DeLotto's big glove to end the game.

"It was off the end of the bat," said reliever Pete Aldrich, who was on the mound for the pressure-packed situation. "I was shaking in my boots the whole time until finally the first baseman caught it. I couldn't believe it."

The Pointers flooded out of the dugout to celebrate a hard-fought 7-6 victory that sends them to the Division II World Series for the sixth time in program history and their fourth appearance since 2010. They open play against Madison College (Wisc.) on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Enid, Okla.

"Monroe didn't make it easy," Bidwell said. "This proves that you don't have to play perfect to win in baseball, because we weren't perfect.

"We made up for it with a lot of competitiveness and a will to win and we overcame some things. These guys showed their character."

Avery Point (34-11) had to scratch and claw its way past Monroe, which needed to win twice on Sunday to advance. Monroe scored two in the ninth to take the first game 11-10 to stay alive.

Both pitching staffs were depleted by the second game.

"Everybody just had to grind out whatever they had," Aldrich said.

On top of that, Bidwell learned between games that Andrew Hinckley, the starting catcher, No. 4 batter and regular in the rotation, would be unavailable. Hinckley suffered a concussion when he was hit in the batting helmet by a pitch in the first game.

The Pointers had to recover from a devastating defeat in game one. Two errors, a passed ball and a bases loaded walk fueled Monroe's game-winning, two-run rally in the ninth.

"We were all down after the first loss," DeLotto said. "Our coaches and team leaders, especially our seniors, really had to bring our spirits up just so we could get in the right mindset to play the game."

Avery Point received key contributions from numerous players in the tournament final. Freshman Nick Goglia pitched well in only his second start, allowing three runs in six-plus innings before departing with a 4-3 lead.

DeLotto, a sophomore from Southbury, earned tournament most valuable player honors. He contributed four hits, including a home run in game one, and seven RBI on Sunday. His two-out, two-run single broke a 4-4 tie during a three-run eighth inning in the clincher. The Pointers had loaded the bases on Landell's bunt single, Jordan Kowalski's walk and Kyle Hart's single.

Izzy Davila's fielder's choice upped the lead to 7-4.

Reliever John Russell, who pitched multiple innings in three games during the two-day tournament, battled his way through another solid relief appearance before tiring.

Then Bidwell called on Aldrich, who threw five innings in Saturday's 11-7 win over Monroe, with the Pointers clinging to a 7-6 lead with runners on first and third with out in the ninth.

Aldrich painted the corner to strike out David Vaccaro looking and retired Angel Diaz on a groundout to douse the fire. Bidwell gave Aldrich the game ball.

"I never thought that I'd be in that big of a game and that big of a spot as a freshman," Aldrich said. "It was awesome."

Bidwell's long day wasn't over with the final out. He had to figure out travel arrangements for the team and plan out the rest of the week.

He had his fill of baseball for now.

"I don't think I've ever been through a longer day or a more gut-wrenching day," Bidwell said. "Both teams wouldn't give up. It's a testament to both teams how competitive they are."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe