Trumbull Babe Ruth won three of four games last week to finish tied for third place in the 15U Northeast Regional Tournament in Lynn (Mass.).
Trumbull, managed by Jeff John, who was assisted by Chris Masi, posted wins over Brattleboro, Vt. (7-3), North Providence, R.I. (7-6) and Somersworth, N.H. (22-5), before falling 6-1 to Lynn, Mass. in the semifinals on Monday. Lynn went on to defeat North Providence in the title game to advance to the World Series in Williston (N.D.) beginning Aug. 13.
“The season was a bit of a whirlwind,” John said. “It went from losing a 10-0 lead in the districts, which was all my fault, to winning four two-run games. There was adversity, but never any panic.
“Lynn is a very good team. You have to tip your cap to their quality swings. We had four or five hits in the first few innings, but their defense made some great plays. Their pitchers kept the ball low and threw good curveballs.”
Trumbull took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Jake Teixiera’s RBI single.
Lynn scored three times in the top of the third, before the locals loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame. The Lynn defense respond by turning a Teixiera liner into a double play and Evan Warner’s hard grounder to third base into the third out.
A key for Trumbull’s success was its team mindset.
“I’m proud of the way all our players handled playing on the big stage,” John said. “They did a nice job of slowing the game down, appreciating the moment, and then coming through for us as a team.”
Trumbull had to rally back and then hold off North Providence on Saturday.
North Providence, the visiting team, led 3-1 after one inning and 4-2 after two but Trumbull tied the game in the third. Trumbull added two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth for a 7-4 advantage. North Providence scored two in the seventh.
North Providence went on top behind two walks and a pair of singles, but Trumbull starter Stephen Ioli struck out the last two batters to end the inning.
Trumbull answered with one in the bottom of the first. Tim Seymour walked, stole second and scored on Warner’s single.
Andrew Koch came in to pitch for Trumbull in the second. Andre Solis singled, advanced to second on a balk, stole third and scored on a ground ball to third. Koch gave up one more single, but the next batter grounded out to end the inning. Koch them shut out North Providence for the next four innings.
Trumbull answered again with a run of its own. Koch walked. Ioli doubled and Koch scored on an overthrow from the outfield.
Trumbull scored two in the third to tie the game. Beau DeMelo walked and went to third on an errant pickoff attempt. After Seymour walked, DeMelo scored on a wild pitch. Teixeira walked for the second time in the game and a free pass to Zack Brace loaded the bases. Seymour scored on a wild pitch for a 4-4 tie.
Warner led off the fifth with a deep double. One out later he scored on Chaz Stolba’s RBI single. Koch then ripped a double for a 6-4 lead.
In the sixth, Teixiera singled and Warner’s second double of the game scored pinch-runner Alex Chopskie.
North Providence rallied back in the seventh.
After singles by A.J. Medoros and Solis, both advanced on a long fly ball out. J.C. Poiner then singled to left to score Medoros and Solis, before Warner made a diving catch at first base to end the game.
In the win over Brattleboro on Friday, Trumbull jumped on top with three runs in the third inning.
Seymour and Teixeira had back-to-back walks. Warner hit a hard liner just inside the third base bag for a single to score Seymour. Zack Brace walked, before Teixeira scored on a passed ball. Warner and Brace moved up a base and Stolba hit into a fielder’s choice to score Warner.
Thomas Krois led off the fourth with a walk and stole second. DeMelo moved Krois to third with a sacrifice bunt. Krois scored on Seymour’s bunt attempt for a base hit.
Brattleboro, aided by some sloppy defensive play, scored two runs without a hit in the fifth.
Trumbull answered with three runs in the sixth. DeMelo walked and stole two bases, before he scored on a balk. Seymour reached on an error, Luke Lamy was hit by pitch and they moved up a base with a double steal. Seymour scored on a wild pitch. After Anthony Cimmino walked, Brace scored Lamy with a sacrifice fly.
“It was a great opportunity for the town of Trumbull and Trumbull Babe Ruth,” John said. “It was a humbling experience and the kids approached it with an even-keel, a steady heart rate. They were never too high, or too low. They were excited and focused.”
Team members are Zach Brace, Jake Teixiera, Luke Lamy, Andrew Koch, Ryan Vawter, Thomas Krois, Tommy Lojko, Stephen Ioli, Anthony Cimmino, Timmy Seymour, Alex Chopskie, Chaz Stolba, Beau DeMelo, Evan Strausser and Evan Warner.