Little League: Albany LL Makes Run to Tournament of Champions Final

After winnings its league championship and advancing to the District 4 Tournament of Champions final, the magic finally ran out for the Albany Little League Cardinals.

The Cardinals fell 9-1 to Concord American in the championship game last week.

The Cardinals first three batters hit singles to load the bases in the top of the first inning. Clean-up hitter Nathan Greco was then awarded first base after the home plate umpire ruled that Concord catcher Dylan Parisi had interfered with Greco's at-bat, and leadoff hitter Josh Friedkin walked in from third base to score the team's only run of the game.

Sevrin Weiss then grounded into a fielder's choice and Theo Lewis hit into a five-two-three double play to end what seemed to be a promising inning.

"I would blame it all on not hitting the ball out of the infield early in the game and not taking advantage of the bases loaded at the very beginning when we scored our very first run," Albany coach Duane Greco said. Greco said that had Nathan, one of the team's best hitters, been allowed an at-bat, the complexion of the game might have changed.

"They're a good team, I don't take anything away from them," Greco said. "We were warned they had four home run hitters on their team."

Only two players hit home runs for the A's, but one standout's contribution was more than enough. Shortstop Mason Knight hit two first-pitch homers, one in the third and one in the fourth, and drove in three runs. Knight went back-to-back with Nolan Brekle in the third, and his second homer gave Concord a commanding 5-1 lead after four innings.

"I think the power was working through the whole series, but the team played well together, it was a team effort," A's coach Fred Brekle said. "The kids kept putting the ball in play and we played great defense."

Concord also got a stellar performance from southpaw Andrew Maes. The lefty pitched a complete game, allowing one unearned run over six hits and striking out four.

"You got to be deep in pitching but that kid pitched a good game," said Greco. "It looked like we should have hit him, but we didn't. And that's the ball game."

The Cardinals long run started in March. They beat out six teams in the Albany Little League Tournament to reach the District Championship. The team recorded a 14-3 record this season.

"It's baseball. You can't put the bats away until the game is over. If you knew who was going to win, you wouldn't have to play the game," said Greco.

Greco credited his entire team for its good play this season.

"Our player pool isn't that large compared to some of these other leagues. Fifteen leagues in our district, and we're one small league," Greco said. "To get this far is pretty good."

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