Cardinals Claim Youth Majors Title

The following story was submitted by Paul Migliore:

“Worst to First” was the battle cry for the Cardinals since opening day back in April.  On Saturday at Gatchells Park, the Cardinals made good with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the top-seeded Braves 7-6. Fans were treated with a game for the ages, as both teams left it all on the field and battled back and forth until the final out.

This was not the first come-from-behind victory for the Cardinals, as they put together back-to-back come from behind victories over the Dodgers and Tigers to reach the championship game.

The Cardinals opened the playoffs with a hard fought 5-4 victory over the Dodgers buoyed by a walk-off 2-run double by James McCarthy in the bottom of the 6^th inning.

The Cardinals again worked their magic in the 2^nd round of the playoffs by scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 5^th inning when McCarthy again connected on a 3-run home run to secure a 5-3 victory over the Tigers.

In the championship game, the Cardinals raced off to an early 3-0 lead as Jamie Marden, Ryan McNeil, James McCarthy and Jake Fitzgerald delivered key hits to ignite the Cardinals offense including a gutsy call by the Cardinals coaches who had McCarthy steal home. For the first time it appeared that perhaps the "Cardiac Kids" wouldn't need late game heroics to win the game.

But Manager Lissa Millett's Braves had something to say as they demonstrated why they were the regular season champs and came storming back in the 3rd inning with 6 runs of their own, led by the hitting of Sam Thorne, Bo Millett, Brayden Haley, Christian Henniger and Ben McCarthy. After 3 innings, the Braves had recaptured the lead 6-3.

The Cardinals went down in order in the 4th and things didn't look good as the Braves had runners on 2nd and 3rd when Cole Garaventi made a sliding catch in right field to keep the game within reach at 6-3. The "catch" would prove to be a pivotal point in the game as the Cardinals came up to bat in the 5th.

After a strikeout to start the 5th, the Cardinals put together 3 straight hits by Marden, Tim Kalinowski and Hayden Rockett. Rockett's hit drove in Marden and closed the lead to 6-4. James McCarthy drew a walk that loaded the bases and Ryan McNeil's sacrifice scored Kalinowski to move another run closer to the Braves. At 6-5 and with 2 outs and 2 strikes, DJ Migliore delivered a base hit to left field that scored Rockett and McCarthy and the Cardiac Kids did it again and took a 7-6 lead going into the 6th inning.

Braden Haley of the Braves hit what appeared to be a game tying home run to lead off the sixth only to find a streaking Jamie Marden come out of nowhere and make a leaping catch at the fence to rob the Braves of the tying run. The "catch" again would prove to be the difference as closer Hayden Rockett retired the side and the Cardinal celebration began.

The 2011 Cardinals played inspired baseball all season as a team and bought into the total team concept. Cam Knight and Nick DiGiovanni anchored the infield along with Jake Fitzgerald, Hayden Rockett, and DJ Migliore. Brett Lipski provided solid outfield support to Jamie Marden, Tim "TK" Kalinowski,and Cole Garaventi.  Rookie Pitcher Mitchell Godes worked with a deep pitching staff led by McNeil, Migliore, Rockett and Marden. James McCarthy was the heart and soul of the team as the Cardinals version of Jason Veritek at catcher. Manager Paul Migliore was supported by Coaches Bob McNeil, Bill Rockett and Ed McCarthy.