Suffern beats Haverstraw for ARC Baseball Tourney Crown

The 2010 ARC All Star Invitational Baseball Tournament at Zukor Park in New City concluded with Suffern defeating Haverstraw, 4-0, to win the finals.

According to Suffern Manager Michael Bruton, the victory was bittersweet for his team.

"It's been a culmination of this group of kids playing together since they were 8," said Bruton Saturday.  "They came in second place in a lot of past tournaments, but this is the first championship they've won.  They lost to Haverstraw in the West Nyack tournament last year as 11 year olds, so it's a bittersweet victory here.  They finished 5-0 so it's a nice way to end their Little League careers."

The winning pitcher, #7 Jeffrey Alvarez, threw the entirety of the game for Suffern as he truly put on an all star performance in striking out 11 and walking only one while not letting up a single run.  The losing pitcher, #2 John Barna, pitched a solid game for Haverstraw as he struck out four, walked only one, and gave up one home run for his only run allowed in five innings pitched.  #16 Chris Dodrill relieved him in the fifth with some difficulty, as he walked two and allowed three runs in Haverstraw's final defensive inning.

The offensive player of the game was Suffern's #12 John Maddalena, who scored the winning run for his team off a solo homer in the bottom of the second.  #10 Christopher Gonzalez and #8 Louis Zambardino had solid offensive games as well, with a two RBI double for Gonzalez and an RBI double for Zambardino.

Excellent pitching and defense prevailed to begin the game as it went scoreless until the bottom of the second.  With two outs, Maddalena stepped up to the plate and swung away to slug the first pitch over the fence and put his team in the lead 1-0.  Excellent pitching and defense then continued to dominate, as neither team could score another run until the bottom of the fifth.

With two on and one out, Gonzalez hit a powerful shot to left field which fell in for a double and brought the two runners home.  The next batter flew out to bring up Zambardino.  After taking one ball, he slipped one past into right centerfield for an RBI double to firmly cement the Suffern lead.  Alvarez then secured their win with another fantastic 1-2-3 inning.

Great all around performances from the two talented teams made the finals a fitting conclusion for the exciting tournament.  Each year it attracts top competition from the county, and this year was no different.  "It went fine and the kids seemed to have a great time," said Tournament Director Ed Roth.  "We had some rain to contend with, but had two very good teams in the final.  It was a good turnout and a lot of fans came together."

Ed Roth and New City Little League did an excellent job at organizing the tournament this year.  With their unyielding dedication, they have successfully continued the tradition of the past 11 years in supporting a great cause with this tournament. Funds raised through the tournament benefit Rockland ARC.