CLCF 12s Dominating in NE Regionals, 9s One Win from State Title

The amazing summer of baseball in Cranston continues for CLCF. 

The 12-year-olds are dominating in the New England Regionals and are now halfway home to a berth in the Cal Ripken World Series, said Steve Richard of CLCF.

"This is an amazing way for this group of 12 players to end their career in CLCF Baseball," Richard said in an e-mail. "All of CLCF Is so proud of their tremendous accomplishments and will be behind them as they continue forward in the New England Regionals. Manager Frank DiLanna and his assistants Mark DeSimone and Steve Minicucci have done a terrific job with the team."

The team won 3-1 on Saturday against Maine. In the 12-2 5-inning blowout against Connecticut, Logan Pacheco and John DeRouin both homered — their first homers — and Kensey Marte was "masterful on the mound," Richard said. Matt Beyer had the game-ending hit.

Meanwhile the 9-year-olds are a win away from taking the state title after beating Darlington on Sunday in a 14-0 romp.

The hits came from top to bottom in the lineup. Austin Serpa had a big double that sparked a large rally and all 12 players played a role in the game.

Dante DuRuosi and Jason Patalono combined on the one-hitter and DuRuosi collected 3 hits.

Richard said the team showed "errorless baseball, strong hitting and shut-out pitching."

The 9s play on Tuesday night against the winner of the Darlington-West Warwick game tonight.