Go Wags Withstand Late Rally To Take Home Week 2 Championship
Dan Conklin

 

            Team Select’s upset bid fell short in the week 2 finale at Cooperstown Dreams Park as they lost a well-fought battle with Go Wags Select Baseball 5-3.  Despite an excellent pitching performance by Isaiah Hood, Team Select was undone by Go Wags’ timely hitting and lights out pitching by Matt Warrington.

The Week 2 Championship game commenced after the rainy weather, which plagued Cooperstown Dreams Park all week temporarily subsided.  The game was a textbook example of a pitchers’ duel.  Winning pitcher Matt Warrington tossed a complete game, allowing just three runs on two hits while striking out 13.  Team Select’s starting pitcher Isaiah Hood also tossed a complete game, but was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs on five hits and striking out 10.

Warrington struggled early on as he walked Isaiah Hood and Mason Gates, both of whom moved to second and third on a passed ball and defensive indifference, respectively.  Hood then scored on Sean Shambo’s sacrifice fly to give Team Select their only lead of the night.  Go Wags Select Baseball wasted no time taking the lead back in the bottom of the first on RBI singles by Matt Warrington and Velly Barto, which scored Kevin Karstetter and Donovan Ball to make the score 2-1.

Team Select would tie the game 2-2 in the top of the 3rd inning on Jason Toler’s solo shot, but Go Wags took the lead right back in the bottom frame on Donovan Ball’s lead-off out of the park solo blast, putting them up for good 3-2.  In the bottom of the 5th inning, Luke Wagner walked, setting up Kevin Karstetter’s two-run home run, effectively padding their lead late in the game 5-2.

When the top of the sixth inning arrived, it seemed as if the baseball gods had something in store for the thousands of devoted fans at Little Majors Stadium, as Team Select started a nail-biting rally.  Isaiah Hood led the inning off with a walk, and promptly stole second base before Tim Manning walked as well.  Mason Gates then hit a ground ball to third baseman Kevin Karstetter, who elected to take the ball to third for a fielder’s choice.  With two outs and runners now on 1st and 2nd, Chris Satcher hit a single into center field that plated Tim Manning and also brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the form of Brandon Ortiz.  However, Matt Warrington was able to settle down and strike out Ortiz for the final out making his team, the Cooperstown Dreams Park week 2 champions.

The second seed Go Wags Select Baseball from Pennsylvania, managed by Teed Wertz.  On their road to the championship, Go Wags defeated the 31 seed Vegas Vipers 8-2, the 15 seed Northstars 14-6, the 10 seed Cherokee Reds 19-3, and the 3 seed Tampa Mayhem 11-3.

The twentieth seed, Team Select from Florida, is managed by John Calabrese with the assistance of Steve Lica.  On their journey to the championship, they defeated the 45 seed South Wake Storm 9-7, the 13 seed CP select 4-3, the 29 seed Snipers Black, the 12 seed Santa Barbara Sharks 21-9, and the 9 seed Florida Stealth 10-7.

Mission City Tops Sacramento In Thrilling Week 3 Championship.
Dan Conklin

Fans, coaches, parents, and players will have a tough time forgetting the week 3 championship game that was played Thursday evening, as the Mission City Immortals held off a late-inning rally by the Sacramento Capitols to win 7-5.  Mission City’s Joshua Pakola picked up the win after pitching a complete game, allowing five runs on seven hits and striking out twelve batters.  Brock Rudy took the loss for Sacramento after allowing five runs over four innings.

Mission City kicked off the scoring early, with Elijah Ricks’ single to left that scored Matthias Haas.  Nicolas Regino followed with an RBI single of his own, scoring Ricks to give the Immortals an early 2-0 lead.

In the second inning, Mission City nearly broke the game open, with a home run by Geremy McCollough and walks by Gavin Napier and Matthias Haas.  However, Brock Rudy and the Capitols were able to stop the bleeding and escape being down only three runs.

After Josh Pakola’s monster home run for the Immortals in the top of the third, Sacramento came alive.  TJ Nichols hit a two-run home run down the left field line that brought home Shane White.  Tyler Soderstrom followed that up with a single into right field, and was eventually brought home on Brock Rudy’s single to left, closing the gap to 4-3.

In the next few innings, Mission City would extend their lead again, on home runs by Gavin Napier and Josh Pakola, and an RBI-single by Nathan Santos, making the score 7-3.

Sacramento mounted one final comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Pakola struck out two of the first three batters, yet the Capitols still managed to load the bases on a walk and two singles.  With two outs, the bases loaded, and down by four runs, Luke Williams stepped up to the plate, still without a hit in the game.  Williams ripped the ball into the right field gap for a single, scoring Dan Susac and Garrett Forrester.  However, Pakola would end Sacramento’s rally by striking out Vinnie Lamera, giving the Mission City Immortals the victory in the championship, and bringing an end to an exciting week here at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

The Mission City Immortals of California are managed by Will Chou and assisted by Romeo Baddo, Paul Rosa, and John Sladky.  On their journey to the top, they defeated the 25 seed Piedmont Spartans, the 24 seed Piranhas Baseball, the 16 seed Spring Branch Heat, and the 5 seed Marucci Sun Devils.

The Sacramento Capitols of California are managed by John Susac with assistance from Nick Susac and Dave Williams.  On their road to the championship game, they defeated the 31 seed North Charlotte Muckdogs,
the 18 seed Utah Horns, the 10 seed East Cobb Braves, and the 14 seed Elite Pro Baseball Academy.

Week #4 Champions - #2 Westlake Coyotes (CA)

Westlake Defeats San Diego In This Year’s First 1 vs. 2 Championship Matchup
Dan Conklin

 

The Week 4 Championship Game at Cooperstown Dreams Park pitted the top two seeds of the tournament against each other for the first time this summer, with the top seeded San Diego Stars losing to the two-seed Westlake Coyotes by a score of 7-5. Westlake starting pitcher Albert Hernandez earned the win after tossing a complete game, giving up five runs on five hits and striking out fourteen.  San Diego’s starter Kyle Kirkland also threw a complete game, but was saddled with the loss after letting up seven runs on five hits and striking out eight.

The game began with Kirkland striking out the first two Coyotes he faced to get to Hernandez, who crushed a monster homerun on the first pitch he saw to give the Coyotes an early 1-0 lead.  However, the Stars answered back in the bottom of the first with two runs on an RBI-single by Keoni Cavaco, and a groundout by Zavian Watson that scored Carlos Oquita, making it 2-1 Stars.

In the top of the second inning, Omar Gastelum was hit by a pitch, and eventually scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at two.  Shortly thereafter, Andrew Villalobos smacked a two-run shot down the right field line to make it 4-2 Coyotes.

The Stars would close the gap in the bottom of the third on Carlos Oquita’s line drive homerun to center, but the Coyotes answered in the fourth on a two-run homerun to right by Andrew Villalobos, followed immediately by Ernest Adendorff’s solo shot to straight-away center field, giving the Coyotes a 7-3 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Stars made it 7-5 on solo shots by Wyatt Lannom and Emilio Luna, but were silenced from then on, as Albert Hernandez struck out the final seven batters of the game, giving the Westlake Coyotes the Week 4 Title at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

The Week 4 Champion Westlake Coyotes are managed by Paul Noack, with assistance from Tom Costello and Jose Gastelum. On their road to the championship, Westlake defeated the 31st  seed CBC Riverhawks Black, the #15 seed Tampa Bay Arsenal 10-3, the #10 seed Northern VA Bandits 14-1, and the 11th seed HBR Maroons-Easton 12-0.

The San Diego Stars are managed by Lyle Gabriel with assistance from Tim Berroth, Randy Hart, Val Luna, and Rob Miller.  The Stars made their way to the final game by defeating the 33rd seed HITS Baseball 13-0, the #17 seed Team DiMarini 13-1, the #9 seed East Cobb Astros 5-4, and the 4th seed Santa Clarita Redhawks 15-5.

 

Week #5 Champions - #1 So Cal Outlaws (CA)

Huge Inning Propels So Cal Outlaws Past Ohio Bombers Red
Dan Conklin

 

For the second straight week here at Cooperstown Dreams Park, the two top-seeded teams of the tournament squared off for the Week 5 Championship.  The result of the 1-2 match up was a game full of high-powered offense and stellar fielding.  In the end, the top seed So Cal Outlaws defeated the second seed Ohio Bombers Red 9-3.

The bombers struck first, jumping out to a 2-0 lead off a solo homerun to left field by Malakai Roberts, and an RBI by Shea Simmer.  Following Simmer’s RBI, Outlaws starter Anthony Corrales walked the bases loaded with two outs, putting the Outlaws in a nail-biting situation.  However, Corrales was able to stop the early bleeding by striking out Zac Common.

In the bottom of the first, the Outlaws were able to tie the game at two after Cole McCollum led off with a single, setting up Henry Martinez’s two-run home run to straight away center field.

With neither team conceding an inch, the game seemed as if it would be neck and neck to the end.  The stalemate was not broken, until the bottom of the third inning, when the Outlaws erupted for six runs on seven hits.  Sean McLeod led off the inning with a single, hit just past the outstretched glove of Bombers’ shortstop Andrew Russell.  Henry Martinez then stepped to the plate and hit his second two-run homerun of the night, giving the Outlaws a 4-2 lead.  Anthony Corrales then hit a scorching single down the third baseline, followed by a nearly identical hit in the same spot by Dillon Swim to put runners on first and second.

At that point, Bomber’s coach Dave Watson called on Zac Common to take over on the mound with two runners on and one out.  The Outlaws were unaffected by the pitching change, as Ryan Torres, Manny Martinez, and Cole McCollum each drove in a run, making the score 8-2.

The remainder of the game saw a decline in offense and a surge in fielding and pitching.  Outlaws reliever Ryan Torres threw four shutout innings while striking out five and surrendering only four hits.  With the exception of Ryan Humphreys’ solo homerun to left in the fifth, Bombers’ reliever Cody Bauer was also lights-out, striking out two of the four batters he faced.

The Bombers attempted to mount a comeback in the sixth inning, as Simmer led off with a single and would eventually score, but in exchange for two outs on a 6-3 double play by the Outlaws.  Jordan Norris then struck out to end the game, giving the So Cal Outlaws a 9-3 victory and the Week 5 Crown at Cooperstown Dreams Park. 

The So Cal Outlaws are managed by Peter Zolferino, with assistance from Matt Humphreys, Manny Martinez, Scott McLeod, Phil Martinez, and Ryan McCollum.  On their road to the Week 5 Championship Title, the Outlaws defeated the 33rd seed Burnsville Thunder 11-0, the #17 seed Monarchs Baseball Club 6-5, the #9 seed Wolverines 14-2, and the #4 seed Carolina Havoc 10-7.

The Ohio Bombers Red are managed by Dave Watson, with assistance from Derek Common, Mike Russell, and Brian Thomas.  On their journey to the Championship Game, they defeated the 34th seed Colleyville Cougars 13-1, the #18 seed Sykesville Cyclones 19-7, the #10 seed Utah Socks 18-6, and the 11th seed Richmond Braves
5-4.

 

Week #6 Champions - #1 Motor City Hitdogs (MI)

Motor City Hitdogs Survive Late Inning Rally to Defeat Central Florida Pride

Dan Conklin

 

The sixth week at Cooperstown Dreams Park ended in dramatic fashion with the Motor City Hitdogs narrowly avoiding defeat at the hands of a sixth inning rally by the Central Florida Pride.  Hitdogs’ starter Ryan Steinhauer was perfect through the first three innings, but ran into trouble in the fifth and sixth innings, where he gave up five runs on three homeruns.  However, teammate Jacob Badal came on in relief to shut the door on Central Florida’s comeback hopes, securing the victory and the week 6 title by a score of 8-7.

The Hitdogs kicked off the scoring in the first inning with Hayden Jatczak’s three-run blast to left field, which brought home Aaron Dolney and Jacob Badal.  The scoring continued in the second inning, where Ryan Steinhauer and Brian Ross led off with a single apiece, setting up Kamron Arnold to hit a two-RBI single to right field.

In the third inning, Central Florida called on reliever Austin Cymerman to take over on the mound, replacing Christian Bernabe.  Although Cymerman was able to retire the first two batters he faced, Hayden Jatczak crushed a solo shot to straight away center field collecting his second homerun of the night.

Jeff Liquori led off the top of the fourth for the Central Florida Pride with a walk, ending Steinhauer’s perfect game bid.  The next batter, Zeik Anderson, hit a single  to break up the remaining no-hitter.  Two batters later, Tyrell Brewer’s RBI-single broke up the shutout.  Danny Del Otero followed with an RBI-single of his own, making the score 6-2.

The Hitdogs answered Central Florida’s two runs with two of their own in the bottom of the fourth.  Ryan Steinhauer reached on a throwing error by the opposing shortstop, and scored on a two-run homerun by Brian Ross, making the score 8-2.

Central Florida Pride cut the lead to four runs in the next inning on a two-run homerun by Zachary McAuley.  Tyrell Brewer then came to the mound in relief in the bottom of the fifth and shutdown the red-hot Hitdog bats.

With the score 8-4, Central Florida Pride went into the final inning of regulation with new life and a tiring Steinhauer on the mound.  After his lights-out relief appearance, Tyrell Brewer led off the inning with a solo homerun to make the score 8-5, bringing an end to Ryan Steinhauer’s brilliant pitching performance. 

The Hitdogs then called on Jacob Badal to shut down the Central Florida Pride, who retired Del Otero and Bernabe.  With Central Florida down to their final out, Dylan Crews stepped to the plate and battled for a walk, followed by Connor Lee’s two-run homerun, which put the Pride within one run of the Hitdogs.  However, Badal struck out Corey Robinson on a hard fastball to seal the victory, crowning the Motor City Hitdogs Week 6 Champions at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

The Motor City Hitdogs are managed by Rick Goff, with assistance from John Jatczak and Chris Stout.  On their road to the title, they defeated the 35th seed Lemont Indians 14-1, the #16 seed Powder Springs Indians 13-1, the #24 seed Terror Baseball Black 13-1, and the 5th seed Carolina Reds 11-4.

The Central Florida Pride are managed by Chad Lee, with assistance from Brian McAuley and Terry Robinson.  On their journey to the Championship Game, they defeated the 32nd seed Lemont Indians 14-1, the #14 seed Utah Bandits 11-0, the #11 seed West Hills Iron Pigs 9-5, and the 7th seed VSP So Cal Force 12-0.

 

Week #7 Champions - #2 LV Rebels (NV)

Eight-Run First Lifts LV Rebels Over Olney Pirates

Dan Conklin

 

The Olney Pirates struck first in the top of the first inning on Gunner Crawford’s two run double, scoring Aivias Natividad and Thomas Keehn; however, it was all LV Rebels from that point on as they captured the Week 7 Cooperstown Dreams Park Championship Title.  The Rebels defeated the Olney Pirates 15 -4 in stunning fashion, exploding for fifteen runs, eight of which came in the first inning. 

Paul Shawn Pasqualotto led the early Rebel rally with a two-run homerun, which brought home Salvador Rodriguez.   After a Dutch Landis walk and back-to-back singles by Oscar Favela and Jacob Bell, Jason Siri hit a two-run single up the middle, making it 4-2 Rebels.  Two batters later, Jaden Rock crushed a three-run homerun to right-center field to complete the eight-run rally.

In the bottom half of the second, Pasqualotto hit another homerun, this one off Pirates reliever Declan Hoverter making it 9-2.  Dutch Landis then followed with a hit-by-pitch and eventually scored puting the Rebels up 10-2.  In the bottom of the fourth, Rodriguez walked and scored on a beautifully executed hit and run by Pasqualotto, making the score 11-2.

The Pirates showed some life in the top of the fifth with homeruns by Jack Braun and Aivias Natividad, but the Rebels padded their lead on a sacrifice by Anthony Martinez and a three-run homerun by Jaden Rock, putting the Rebels up 15-4.  Salvador Rodriguez struck out the side in the sixth to finish his complete game and clinch the Week 7 Championship Title for the LV Rebels.  Rodriguez allowed four runs on four hits and struck out twelve.  Jaden Rock and Paul Shawn Pasqualotto combined for four homeruns on six hits and knocked in ten runs.

The champion Rebels were the second seed in the tournament and are managed by Brad Maloff with assistance from Shawn West.  On their road to Dreams Park glory, the Rebels defeated the 31st seed Somers Red Storm American (NY), the #15 seed Hekili (HI) 13-0, the #10 seed Dirtbags (NC) 13-7, and the 13th seed Mac-N-Seitz Royals (KS) 14-2.

The runners-up Olney Pirates were seeded ninth in the tournament and are managed by John Goodwin with assistance from Tony Helmick, Terry Hoverter, Tom Keehn, Mark Vick, and John Yore.  On their journey to the championship game, the Pirates defeated the 41st  seed Powermill Panhandle Stingers (FL) 15-0, the #8 seed California Golden Gaters (CA) 23-12, the top seeded Tidewater Drillers (VA) 10-3, and the #4 seed GBG Marucci Waves (CA) 12-9.

 

Week #8 Champions - Beaver Valley Red (PA)

Huge Fifth Inning Lifts Beaver Valley Red Over GBC-TA

Dan Conklin

 

Beaver Valley fans had reason to celebrate after their boys defeated GBC-TA in dominant fashion, as Beaver Valley Red won the Week 8 Championship 13-1.  Beaver Valley capitalized on a big fifth inning, as they scored six runs on six hits.  One of those six hits came in the form of a three-run home run by Greg Johnson.  Beaver Valley Red starter Devan Barnett earned the win after tossing two shutout innings and only allowing two hits while striking out three.  Reliever Sean Tanner also tossed a gem, giving up only one run on four hits.  GBC-TA starter Connor Johnson was saddled with the loss, despite giving up only four runs on five hits and striking out eight batters.

Beaver Valley led off the scoring in the top half of the first inning, when Devan Barnett hit a towering solo home run, helping out his own cause by putting his team ahead 1-0.  One inning later, John Salvitti followed suit; hitting a solo home run that was nearly robbed by GBC-TA right fielder Lukas Baker.

GBC-TA staged a rally in the bottom of the second inning, when Connor Cox reached first base on a John Salvitti error.  Dalton Beasley followed with a grounder back to Salvitti, who flipped to second base for the only out he could get.  Lukas Baker and Trey Cooper hit a single apiece to load the bases for leadoff man Matt Kemp, who promptly grounded into a fielder’s choice to retire the side.

Beaver Valley Red, having just escaped a sticky situation, doubled their lead in the top of the third.  After two strikeouts to lead off the inning, Tyler Casciato ripped a single into the gap in left-center field.  Then, Daniel Boehme hit a two-run home run, giving Beaver Valley Red a 4-0 lead.

The bottom of the fourth brought GBC-TA’s only run of the night, a moon shot home run off the bat of Connor Cox.  However, Beaver Valley pulled away for good in the top of the fifth.  Joey Pilewski led off the inning as a pinch hitter, smacking a single into right-center field.  Sean Tanner then laid down a bunt single, putting runners on first and second with nobody out.  Cole Dauson hit an infield fly and Tyler Casciato singled to right, which brought home Pilewski.  Daniel Boehme and Devan Barnett then joined the hit parade, both hitting RBI singles.  With the score 7-1, Greg Johnson hit a three-run home run, boosting the lead to 10-1. 

In the bottom of the fifth, GBC-TA loaded the bases with two outs on a hit-by-pitch and two singles from Nick Halo and Drew Needham, but Beaver Valley Red reliever Sean Tanner slammed the door by striking out
Jake Markle.

Beaver Valley expanded their lead by tacking on three more runs in the top of the sixth.  Devan Barnett’s two-run single was set up by a Dauson hit-by-pitch and a Casciato walk.  Finally, Daniel Boehme scored on an error at third base, ending the run with the score  13-1.  GBC-TA went down quietly in the bottom half of the sixth, giving Beaver Valley Red the Cooperstown Dreams Park Week 8 Title.

The fifth seed Beaver Valley Red (PA) was managed by Brian Smith, with assistance from Sean Tanner and Anthony Casciato.  On their road to Dreams Park glory, they defeated the 57th seed Extreme Velocity (CA) 7-4, the #28 seed VBA 61’s (VA) 12-0, the 4th seed Tolucca Thunder (CA) 21-5, and the top seed Milwaukee Angels (WI) 13-7.

The second seed GBC-TA (NC) was managed by Shawn Needham, with assistance from Champ Cooper and Brian Cox.  On their road to the Week 8 Championship Game, they defeated the 31st seed Carrollton Select (LA) 5-0, the #18 seed Saline Hornets (MI) 24-3, the 10th seed Santa Clarita Mules (CA) 11-1, and the #14 seed Gambrills War Dogs (MD) 8-7.

 

Week #9 Champions -#3 Vipers Baseball (TX)

Vipers Baseball Defeats Rock Solid I in Five Inning Slugfest

Dan Conklin

 

The Week 9 Championship Game at Cooperstown Dreams Park was one for the ages.  In 5 innings of play, both teams combined for twenty six runs and twelve home runs.  The game pitted the third seed Vipers Baseball against the 29th seed Rock Solid I.  Despite a very potent lineup, Rock Solid I was unable to complete their epic Cinderella run, as Vipers Baseball out slugged them 19-7.

Vipers’ starting pitcher Ocho Ibarra pitched a complete game for the win, giving up seven runs on seven hits and striking out five.  Despite leaving the mound without recording an out, Rock Solid starter RJ Hunt was saddled with the loss after giving up three runs on three straight hits to kick off the game.

Ibarra was caught in a bases loaded jam early in the first after giving up a single to Trent Easton and walking both Bradley Adams and Caleb Demers.  Ibarra forced RJ Hunt into a ground out to end the inning, stranding three Rock Solid runners.

Vipers Baseball kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the first when Carson Ogilvie’s lead-off single was followed by a two-run blast off of the bat of Kobe Keuchel.  Dillon Smith followed suit with a home run hit deep to left field.  After Ocho Ibarra popped out to second, Josh Doelitsch was hit by a pitch; Will Clements then launched a two run blast out of Little Majors Stadium, making it 5-0 through one inning of play.

Rock Solid answered back in the top of the second as Tommy Hawke lead off with a double.  Chase Nixon then drew a walk, putting runners on first and second with nobody out.  Rock Solid catcher Garrett Murray stepped to the plate in a clutch situation and delivered, sending a moon shot into straight away center field, making the
score 5-3.

Unfortunately for Rock Solid, their two run deficit was short-lived, as Vipers Baseball  rallied yet again in the bottom of the second.  Jamie Hitt sparked the fire by hitting a home run to straight away center field.  Carson Ogilvie was hit by a pitch, stole second base, and scored on a single off of the bat of Dillon Smith.  Next, Ocho Ibarra reached base on an error by the opposing shortstop and eventually scored on Josh Doelitsch’s RBI single.  Will Clements stepped to the plate and crushed his second two run home run in as many innings, making it
10-3 Vipers.

In the top of the third, Bradley Adams hit an infield single, setting up Caleb Demers’ two-run shot bringing Rock Solid within five runs.  Vipers Baseball got one back in the bottom half of the inning, then retired the side in the top of the fourth.  In the bottom of the inning, Vipers Baseball had Dillon Smith, Ocho Ibarra, and Josh Doelitsch swinging the pine, hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs.
Going into the top of the fifth down 15-5, Rock Solid refused to quit.  Shane Nolan led off with a hard hit single into right field, bringing Cade Anderson to the plate.  Anderson smacked a two-run blast, making it 15-7 Vipers.

Carson Oglivie started things off in the bottom of the fifth by getting hit by the pitch.  Kobe Keuchel then hit a two run shot into right to put the Vipers back up 17-7.  Dillon Smith and Ocho Ibarra then improved their on-base percentages thanks to an error in center field and a walk.  That brought up a 1 for 3 Jacob Haley, who ripped a walk-off single, giving Vipers Baseball the Week 9  Championship Title at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

Week Nine’s Runners-Up, the 29th seed Rock Solid I (NC), are managed by Pete Gilardo, with assistance from Ben Longton and Trot Nixon.  On their path to the Championship Game, they defeated the 4th seed City Baseball (WA) 10-7, the #13 seed Marlboro Dukes (NY) 23-9, the 5th seed Agawam Gators (MA) 19-1, and the top seeded XT Baseball Club (CA) 12-10.

Vipers Baseball Club (TX) entered the tournament as the 3rd seed and are managed by Thomas Keuchel, with assistance from Adam Berg and Jerry Hayley.  On their road to glory, they defeated the #66 seed Titans Baseball (FL) 11-0, the 14th seed Delaware Hurricanes (DE) 17-2, the #22 seed West Pines Cobras (FL) 21-3, and the second seed Hit & Run Highlanders (NY) 15-4.

 

Week #10 Champions - #1 BPA DeMarini (CA)

BPA DeMarini Battles Back To Swipe 
the Championship Title from Team Express 7-6
Dan Conklin

The Week 10 Championship Game will go down as one of the most exciting games played at The Dreams Park all summer. The game was a closely contested nail-biter, and the late-inning environment created a surreal, almost dreamlike, atmosphere out of an epic baseball movie.  BPA DeMarini starting pitcher Shane Roberson earned the win after allowing six runs on seven hits and striking out thirteen batters.  Team Express reliever Josh Valenzuela was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in the final inning.
Roberson started off strong on the mound, striking out three of the first four Express batters and only allowing only a bloop single to Diego Morales.  BPA struck first in the bottom of the opening frame on a Jack Allen sacrifice fly into left field that scored Blake Pivaroff.
Team Express then tied the game in the top of the second, after Gerardo Vargas singled and eventually scored on a batted ball by Logan Upchurch.  DeMarini quickly jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the next frame on Harry Owen’s solo home run to straight away center field.
DeMarini did not hold on to the lead for long, for in the top of the third, Team Express’ Justin Gottardi tied the game with what may have been the longest home run hit at Little Majors Stadium this year. Just when their fans thought it couldn’t get any better, Diego Morales gave his team the lead with a home run of his own, making it a 3-2 lead for Team Express.  After the back-to-back home runs, Shane Roberson then struck out three batters in a row to keep his team within one run after two and a half innings of play.
BPA continued the trend of constant lead changes in the bottom half of the third, when Blake Pivaroff hit a game-tying home run into right-center field.  Dutch Landis then made it to third base on an error in left field, and scored on an RBI single by Shane Roberson.  After Roberson was caught stealing, Jack Allen walked and moved to second on a single up the middle by Cameron Wheeler.  Allen would eventually score off the bat of Harry Owen, giving BPA a 5-3 lead.
Justin Gottardi would close the gap with a solo shot to right field in the top of the fifth, and in the top of the sixth, the thick fog rolled in.  Gerardo Vargas started the one out rally with a single that was mis-played by the right fielder, awarding Vargas second base.  Josh Valenzuela then stepped to the plate looking to leave a legacy here in Cooperstown.  With his team down by one run in the final inning of the Championship Game, Valenzuela hit a go-ahead two-run homerun into the left field bleachers, making it 6-5 Team Express, and shifting the pressure onto DeMarini’s shoulders.
Chase Walter led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a single.  Two batters later, Blake Pivaroff’s walk was followed by Dutch Landis beating out an infield single to load the bases with one out.  Shane Roberson then hit a fly ball into right field that was dropped by the fielder, allowing Walter to score the tying run. After the initial offering to the next batter, the next pitch managed to sneak by Team Express’ catcher, allowing Blake Pivaroff to score the game-winning run and giving BPA DeMarini the week 10 Championship Title at Cooperstown Dreams Park.
The third seeded Team Express (CA) was managed by Dave Brown, with assistance from David Grant, Dan Hascall, Jamar Lamar, Ricky Smith, and Kyle Upchurch.  On their journey to the Championship Game, they defeated the 66th seed Lincroft Panthers (NJ) 15-0, the #19 seed No Off Season (PA) 11-4, the 22nd seed Hard Power Premier (CA) 16-4, and the #2 seed NV Wildcats (NV) 21-12.

The top seeded BPA DeMarini (CA) was managed by Jared Sandler with assistance from Nick Pivaroff.  On their road to glory, they defeated the 32nd seed Lafayette Buckeyes (CA) 10-0, the #17 seed Kings Baseball (TX) 8-0, the 8th seed Pottsville Pythons (PA) 11-0, and the #4 seed Red Land Patriots (PA) 6-4.

 

Week #12 Champions -#1 Eastern Massachusetts All-Stars (MA)

Eastern Massachusetts All-Stars Out-Hit South Bay Surf 
to Capture Week 12 Dreams Park Title
Dan Conklin

 

The week 12 Championship game at Cooperstown Dreams Park was a show of offense, as the Eastern Mass All-Stars defeated the South Bay Surf 11-6.  Eastern Mass starting pitcher Connor Brown earned the win, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out four.  South Bay starter Kevin Olmos was saddled with the loss after giving up six runs on five hits over one and one thirds innings.

Eastern Mass kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the first when Sean Helfric led off with a single and later scored on Jordan Kjonikson’s RBI fielder’s choice, earning an early 1-0 lead.  They then looked to add to their lead in the second inning, when Connor Brown and John Mulready led off with back-to-back singles.  Alex Lane was then hit by a pitch to the load the bases for Tristan Latham, who singled in two runs for a 3-0 lead.  Two batters later, Eastern Mass doubled their lead on a three-run homerun by Lucas Garcia.  South Bay would eventually stop the bleeding, but not before walking Peter Messerny and giving up a two-run blast to Jordan Kjonikson for an 8-0 All-Star lead.

Being down 8-0 after two innings would demoralize most baseball teams, but the South Bay Surf is not like other teams.  Elijah Buries and Brett Wozniak sparked some energy into their teammates by leading off with back-to-back singles.  Then, Thomas McCaffrey crushed a three-run homerun, and the very next batter, Blake Christopher, hit a solo shot to cut the lead in half 8-4.

Eastern Mass would tack on another run in the bottom of the third on a solo shot by Alex Lane, but South Bay answered in the fifth on a two-run shot by Elijah Buries, making it 9-6, Eastern Mass. 

In the bottom half of the fifth, Connor Brown and Tristan Latham both hit solo shots to pad the lead 11-6, and reliever Peter Messerny would shut the door in the sixth, making the Eastern Massachusetts All-Stars the week 12 champions at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

The third seeded South Bay Surf (CA) was managed by Shane Shumaker, with assistance from Dominic Sutton and Joel Weeks.  On their journey to the championship game, they defeated the 30-seed Warrington Lumber Kings (PA) 9-8, the 14-seed Richmond Elite (VA) 8-7, the 6 seed No Yo’s (NJ) 15-0, and the 23 seed SCYB (CA) 15-8.

The top seed and champion Eastern Massachusetts All-Stars (MA) were managed by Adam Wnukowski, with assistance from Gary Leroy, Jeffrey Tocci, and Vinnie Wnukowski.  On their path to Cooperstown glory, they defeated the 33 seed Seacoast United Pirates (NH) 9-3, the 17 seed RBA West (VA) 26-14, the 9 seed On Deck Navy (NV) 14-11, and the 13 seed Audubon Big Blue (PA) 17-5.