The 16U Ruffnecks “Blue” squad took the championship game in the Seadogs Select Six Tournament with a convincing 5-0 victory in the finals.  The team was led in the final game by an outstanding pitching performance from John Nicklas.  The four day tournament tested the team’s depth in the pitching department.  Dan Dymecki, Max Tishman, Eric Oberg, Trevor Holmes, and Tom Crispi all contributed strong outings during the hot weather. The 16s head to Philadelphia next week to participate in a tournament at Temple University, and then travel to the site of the former USA Baseball Training Complex outside of Memphis, Tennessee for the 17U CABA Wood Bat World Series.

13U Ruffnecks Reach Finals in Connecticut

Davis Wall makes a play

Meanwhile the 13U Ruffnecks found their way to their first tournament championship game with a strong three day effort at the Connecticut Bombers Invitational over the July 4th holiday weekend.  Although the team fell short by an 8-5 score in the trophy game, the journey to the finals was marked by some outstanding play by a team that has improved over 45 games.  Once again a strong pitching start by Derek Grubis in Game 1 set the tone.  The victory was an exciting 6-5 win punctuated by a game-ending double play with the infield in and the tying run on third.  A hard ground ball to Christian Reenstierna was cooly played into an out at first and a bang-bang throw from first baseman Mike Greco to catcher John Simourian who blocked the plate and put the tag on the runner from third.  Simourian had a very strong tournament at the plate with a triple and three doubles.  Mike Greco and Davis Wall also had a strong offensive tourney.  Reenstierna also pitched four strong innings for a 3-2 win in Game four.  The team looks to continue its winning ways in the final two tournaments of the year, in Fall River, Mass and Indianapolis, Indiana.

14U Ruffnecks 2010

The 14U Ruffnecks have begun a twelve day road trip that takes them to the 14U Perfect Game World Wood Bat Championships at East Cobb, Georgia, and then on to the Midwest Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This is the second year in a row that the program has sent our  14U team on a major road trip in June.  The team will also attend the CABA World Series in Nashville, Tennessee later in July.  The trip is certain to challenge Coach Novio’s 14U squad as they will run into some of the finest young teams in the country.

14s Split First Two Games

The first two games of the trip have been Pool Play contests at the 14U WWBA Championships in Georgia.  In the opener, the Ruffnecks could not hold onto a 6-4 lead against the East Cobb Longhorns, and dropped an 8-6 decision.  Kevin Cuneo pitched well enough to give the Ruffnecks a chance to win, but a late rally by the Longhorns decided the contest.  In the second game the Ruffnecks faced a strong Team Rawlings squad from Marietta, GA and came a way with a 4-3 decision.  Jack Porter and Mike Courtney combined to pitch the win.  The team faces a busy schedule in Georgia through Sunday, June 27th before they fly to Indianapolis for a non-tournament game on Tuesday and the start of the Midwest Championship Tournament July 1 -4.

13s Play Well at Cape Wood Bat Tourney

Derek Grubis came within one out of a no hitter in the first game 8-0 victory at the Cape Cod Wood Bat Tournament the weekend of June 19-20 and set the tone for a strong showing by an improved 13U Ruffnecks sqaud.  The team won their first two games while giving up only one run.  Noah Levine led the team in hitting all weekend.  Emmit Rojo turned in an outstanding performance on the mound in the team’s second game, a 3-1 victory.  A sloppy Game 3 cost the Ruffnecks a chance at the championship, but the team rebounded with a convincing 6-1 victory behind a gritty 6-inning outing by Matt Wesoloski in their fourth and final game of the tournament.  John Simourian and Connor Green continue to provide solid catching and timely hitting.  The 13U Ruffnecks look ahead to the Connecticut Bombers Invitaitional July Fourth Weekend followed by the ITZ Thunder Tournament and the CABA World Series in Westfield, Indiana at the end of July.