North Wall 9-Year-Olds Win Again

The North Wall 9-year-old all-star team took another step in their quest for the District 11 championship. North Wall defeated Ocean National 10-2 on Thursday night at Howell Central Little League to advance to the winners bracket final.

North Wall faced a Ocean pitcher who had struck out 18 batters in their previous game.

North Wall took advantage of their own solid pitching as well as timely hitting to win it's third straight game. Ryan Napolitano went the first 2-2/3 innings striking out seven before Johnny Ohern came in and got the final out via strikeout leaving the score 2-2, at the end of three.

North Wall scratched out a run in the top of the 4th to take a 3-2 lead when Michael Caputo singled in Kyle Harms. In the bottom of the 4th, Ocean loaded the bases with no outs before Grant Shulman came in to strike out three straight to keep North Wall in the lead. Shulman would again strike out the side in the fifth.

In the top of the sixth, North Wall broke open the game with eight runs -- the big hit was a bases loaded double by Grant Shulman. Michael Caputo would close out the bottom of the 6th with two strike outs to end the game. Caputo would have a big day as he had two hits and drove in two, while Dale McNally had a long triple that scored two.

North Wall now plays on Saturday at 2PM vs Howell South at the Howell Central Little League Complex.