Lawrence Little League: Game Highlights

Editor's Note: The following game highlights were submitted to Lawrenceville Patch by the coaches of the various teams.

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American Division:

Saturday, June 4 – Penlar Pharmacy vs. Lawrence PBA

Penlar Pharmacy defeated Lawrence PBA 12-2.

Daniel Nance’s walk-off hit scored Michael Streger from third base and sealed this first-round playoff victory for Penlar Pharmacy. Nicholas Ciuffreda struck out 10 batters in 4⅔ innings of work on the mound, and helped himself by going 3-for-3 with two triples. Liam Smith made two amazing plays in a row at second base to keep the PBA team at bay, and added a single, a triple, and a pair of RBIs to the offensive effort. Sean Hoffman went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and closed the game on the mound. Jared Featherston and Nolan Flynn added key RBIs to the team effort.

For Lawrence PBA, Colin D’Angelo had a strong outing on the mound and kept the game a pitcher’s duel through three innings. He also batted .500 for the day.  Will Vamos went 2-for-2 on the day – including a blast to left-center field for a double – and added a few stolen bases to keep the pressure on. Jack Ulman picked up two RBIs, and John Caccavale added a hit in Lawrence PBA’s effort.

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Atlantic Division:

Tuesday, June 7 – FOP Lodge #09 vs. Rider TKE

Behind southpaw Ameer Hasan’s seven-strikeout, three-shutout-inning performance, Rider TKE defeated FOP Lodge 209 11-1 and advanced to Saturday’s championship game of the Atlantic Division with a record of 15-1. Rider TEK’s offense was led by Will Kocsis who had a single, double and triple, while Sebastian Centeno and Ameer Hasan each contributed two doubles and a single. Strong defense was displayed by Connor Monaghan and Aidan Loughran in the field.

FOP Lodge 209 scored their run in the fourth inning on hard singles by Garret Maloney and Joseph Laitusis. Starter Max Crouthamel and Darius Mckay made good defensive plays.

Saturday, June 4 – Bossio’s Deli vs. Heavenly Ham

Nabil Hachicha smashed a home run and a double to lead Heavenly Ham to a comeback playoff victory over Bossio's Deli, 6-5 . Hachicha had a total of four RBIs and pitched two scoreless innings as teammates Hunter Rivera and David Ferdetta also contributed offensively with two hits each. Colby Davis and Jake Bennett had three hits and a run scored while Matt Carson and Matt Kildea had two hits and a run scored for Bossio's.

Wednesday, June 1 – Bossio’s Deli vs. FOP Lodge 209

Adam Levinsky and Matt Kildea had two hits and scored two runs apiece as they led Bossio's Deli to a 7-3 victory over FOP Lodge 209 . Matt Carson also singled and scored a run for Bossio's. Garrett Maloney, Ryan Springsteen and Zaki Hindash all singled and scored for FOP Lodge 209.

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National Division:

Thursday, June 2 – Ace Topsoil vs. Lawrenceville Fire Co.

Ace Topsoil defeated Lawrenceville Fire Co. 11-3.

In the first playoff game for the league, Andon Parascondo pitched an outstanding game for Ace Topsoil, striking out six in 3+ innings followed by reliever Tyler Hughes who struck out five.  Dylan Weisinger led the offense with three singles in four at-bats while Owen Cutaneo hit a single and earned three RBIs.  Logan Hillegas blasted a triple to left field knocking in one run for Ace Topsoil.

For Lawrenceville Fire Co., Matt DiTomasso struck out seven in 3+ innings pitched, and he led the offense with three singles.  Anthony Moore hit two singles, and Liam Carroll hit a double.

Thursday, June 2 – Lawrenceville Fuel vs. Ace Topsoil

Lawrenceville Fuel defeated Ace Topsoil 1-0.

Evan Cibelli threw a 71 pitch complete game for Lawrenceville Fuel, allowing only one hit and striking out 12 batters. He faced only 18 batters in the game – the absolute minimum –thanks to some great defense behind him. From centerfield, Bryce Cawley threw out a runner trying to score. Jake Ari and Kyle Jorgensen each threw out a runner trying to steal. Ari singled, stole a base and was driven in by Cawley for the only run of the game.

Tyler Hughes went the distance for Ace Topsoil on the mound. He threw 62 pitches and allowed only four hits to Lawrenceville Fuel batters. Hughes had the only hit for Ace Topsoil. Logan Hillegas played strong defense at shortstop to keep Ace Topsoil in the game.

Wednesday, June 1 – Lawrence Grill vs. Doherty Painting

Lawrence Grill defeated Doherty Painting 4-1.

Lawrence Grill won their first-round playoff game on a brilliant pitching performance by Daniel Lewis.  He allowed one run over 5⅓ innings, striking out eight and allowing only one walk.  Diego Montealegre scored two runs on aggressive base-running and Calvin Ankener added a hit and a run. Sean McLaughlin had two put-outs and two assists fielding while everything that came him his way.

For Doherty Painting, Tanner Adamczyk hit a triple, scored a run and pitched effectively in defeat. Ehren Doherty had two hits and Ritesh Dash scorched a double over the right fielder’s head but was left stranded on third when the game ended.  Thomas Competielle made an impressive running catch on a hard line drive to left robbing Noah Levinsky of a double.

Friday, May 27 – Lawrenceville Fuel vs. Lawrence Grill

Lawrenceville Fuel defeated Lawrence Grill 15-5.

For Lawrenceville Fuel, Evan Cibelli and Finn Lillis each had three hits. Cibelli scored three runs and also drove in two while Lillis scored two and drove in three. Bryce Cawley had two hits, scored two runs and drove in a run. Lillis, Cawley and Quincy Washington combined on the mound to hold Lawrence Grill to just two hits.

Calvin Ankener had one hit and scored two runs for Lawrence Grill. Daniel “Sally” Lewis doubled and drove in a run for Lawrence Grill.

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Girls Softball Majors:

Monday, June 6 - First Choice Bank vs. Rita's Water Ice

In an exciting finish to the season First Choice Bank nipped Rita's Water Ice 8-7 to win the championship playoff series two games to one.  First Choice scored four times in the fourth inning to overcome a three-run deficit. Melissa Rothenberg, Veda Wendall, Josie Crafford and Paige MacArthur all had key hits in the rally. Rothenberg pitched a complete game and made several important defensive plays that helped secure the win.

In the top of the fourth Rita Water Ice's had a six-run inning to jump ahead 7-4. Rita Thompson, Tierra Jones and Amirah Hutchinson all had singles and scored a run in the inning . Thompson also pitched a complete game and made solid plays off the mound to keep First Choice close.

Friday, June 3 – First Choice Bank vs. Rita’s Water Ice

First Choice Bank defeated Rita's Water Ice 7-6 as Melissa Rothenberg threw a complete game while striking out seven. Rothenberg, Katie Smith, Josie Crafford and Bella Monacchio all had key hits in a six-run fifth inning that made the difference. Rita Thompson provided a strong pitching performance with a complete game for Rita Water Ice. At the plate Thompson doubled and scored while teammates Jamie Franc and Alex Covello had two hits apiece. First Choice's win tied the best of three playoff series at 1-1.

Monday, May 23 – First Choice Bank vs. West End

Morgan McGahran, Hayley Davis, Josie Crafford, Eva Frank and Alex Forfare led First Choice Bank to a 24-3 victory over West End of Trenton. Each player had two hits and two runs scored for First Choice. Hannah White and Ally Bannon also had hits in the win. Lexi Cuyler, Imani Coley and India Anderson singled and scored a run for West End.

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District 12 Tournament of Champions      

Friday, June 3 – Lawrenceville Fuel (Lawrence Little League) vs. Rays (West Windsor-Plainsboro Little League)

Lawrenceville Fuel defeated the Rays 14-4.

Lawrenceville Fuel represented Lawrence Little League in District 12 Tournament of Champions action. Kyle Jorgensen was 2-for-2 and scored three runs, Jake Ari added two hits, scored two runs and collected two RBIs; Bryce Cawley had three hits and drove in four runs; and Finn Lillis added two hits. Lillis, Cawley, Jorgensen and Adam Zakaria handled the pitching for Lawrenceville Fuel.

Ben Burgdorf scored two runs and pitched three innings for the Rays. Brennan Froio also pitched, had one hit and scored a run.