Middletown Little League Aims To Clinch State Title

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This Saturday, July 13, the Middletown Intermediate All Stars (13u) will battle for the state title at Princeton Little League in a best-of-three showdown!

So far, Middletown has gone undefeated in both series, with a 7 and 0 record. They clinched both the district and sectional titles this season. On Saturday, they will face off against a Little League team from Nutley.

“We have a bunch of tough boys that continue to battle. The team is lead by three players from last year's Mid-Atlantic regional team, Dylan Briggs, Joey Wall and Al Delia," said team manager Gary Salerno. "These boys have been through some tough games and I look for them to be the leaders on this team. Our pitching and defense has been solid throughout the tournament, and if that continues, we will be tough to beat."

The coach was referring to three outstanding players from the 2018 Middletown 12u team, which won the state championship last year: Dylan Briggs, Alfred "Big Al" Delia and Joey Wall. You might recall "Big Al" Delia as the Middletown kid who hit nationwide sports fame last summer, with his famous "My name's Big Al and I hit dingers."

As Patch reported last year, this same group of boys (back when they were Middletown's 12u Little League) came incredibly close to competing in the Little League World Series in August 2018, but lost in one of the final elimination rounds.

If Middletown wins the state title, they will advance to the regional games in Commack, Long Island and compete for the Eastern Regional Title, played July 18 - July 25. The Intermediate World Series is played in Livermore, California July 28 - August 4.

The first pitch Saturday is at 11 a.m. and then again at 1:30 p.m. If necessary, there will be a game Sunday as well, at 11 a.m. The games will be played at Farmview Baseball Fields, 526 Great Rd Princeton, NJ. So come out and cheer on your local Middletown boys this weekend if you can!

Here is the all-star roster:

• Dylan Briggs
• Colin Byrne
• Derek Commander
• Alfred Delia
• Sebastian Hemenway
• Dominic Merker
• J.T. Mohlmann
• Gavin Sansone
• Justin Soto
• Joseph Wall
• Connor Walsh
• Aiden Winters
• Manager: Gary Salerno
• Coaches: Al Delia & David Commander

How are the boys handling the pressure and excitement?

"They are so 'Joe Cool' and just love to play baseball," said JoAnne Briggs, mother of Dylan Briggs. "We have a great bunch of parents and that reflects in their children. We're all so excited that our children have been given the opportunity to play for the Middletown All Stars."

Big Al Delia is a national celebrity: