Caldwell 13U Baseball Shut Down in Championship

After winning the spring league, the Caldwell 13U baseball team had its eyes on the Essex County Suburban League championship Thursday at James Caldwell High School.

But West Essex pitcher Joe Bizub stood in the Chiefs' way.

As his team took advantage of some key two-out hits, Bizub shut down Caldwell through six innings. The Chiefs mounted a last-inning rally off reliever Gary Lombardi, but it wasn't enough in an 8-4 loss.

"I'm very happy with how the kids played this season and am proud of them," said Caldwell coach Craig Helfer, who was proud that all 14 players on his roster contributed during the team's 12-5 season. "I've known these kids for several years."

The Caldwell coach credited Bizub and his West Essex teammates for their effort in the championship game after the teams split the two regular-season encounters.

"He just threw strikes and I just have to give him credit for getting us out," Helfer said of Bizub, who scattered five hits and struck out two.

Bizub took the mound already with a 4-0 advantage as West Essex scored four times in the top of the first inning. The Knights added single runs in the third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings to extend the lead to 8-0.

The Chiefs did have chances to cut into the deficit. In the fourth inning, Caldwell loaded the bases on a Smith base hit, an infield hit off the bat of shortstop Tommy Guiliano and Jake Zimmerman reached on an outfield error.

But Caldwell first baseman Kyle Caufield grounded out to West Essex shortstop Luke Magliaro, who fired to his brother, Dom Magliaro, at the plate to get Smith at home. The catcher then threw to first base to get Caufield for the double play. With runners on second and third, Caldwell third baseman Ryan Boggio grounded out to short to end the inning with no runs scored.

However, Caldwell found success in the bottom of the seventh inning as Caufield led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Right fielder Steve Puzzo then smacked a base hit into left-center field that scored Zimmerman to finally break the shutout and make it 8-1.

After left fielder Nolan Smith struck out and designated hitter Jacob Charpentier popped out to first base, Caldwell took advantage of an error and the the glare from the sun.

Caldwell second baseman Kurt Senif grounded to short in what appeared would be the final out of the game. However, the shortstop's throw to first base was lost in the sun and the first baseman was unable to record the out. Puzzo and Boggio scored on the play to make it 8-3.

A couple of wild pitches eventually brought Senif home to make it 8-4. The inning continued as pinch-hitters John Mannion and Nick Betchler each walked to put runners on first and second with Hunter Smith coming to the plate.

However, Smith grounded back to Lombardi for the final out of the game.

It was a tough out for Smith, who finished 2-for-4 in the game and reached base three times.

"We came up a little bit short," he said, "but we always have next year."