Cumberland National sticking with approach for states Squad headed to EG to face Coventry Saturday night
CUMBERLAND — In three of the last six summers the District 4 10-year-old champion has gone on to advance to the Eastern regional tournament in Cranston.
Following an impressive run through the District 4 tournament, including a pair of victories over a talented Burrillville squad, Cumberland National hopes to join that list, as the squad heads to East Greenwich’s Cragan Field Saturday night to begin the state tournament.
CNLL coach Gary Lamora said Friday afternoon that his approach to facing off against Coventry, Barrington and Cranston West is the same approach he took over the previous two weeks of district play.
“The approach is going to remain the same as it was in the district tournament,” Lamora said. “We’re focused on defensive execution with a good chunk of hitting. We’re continuing to preach mental toughness during the game. There are going to be errors, big hits and calls we don’t like, the team that can take away the noise is the team that will be successful.”
Lamora’s squad will open up state tournament play at 7 p.m. against a battle-tested Coventry team. Coventry cruised through the winners’ bracket in District 3 before suffering a 10-1 defeat to South Kingstown. Coventry came back to earn a 17-14 victory in the district final.
“With regards to Coventry, from what I understand, they have a very good pitching staff and they have a very deep lineup through out the batting order,” Lamora said. “And looking at Barrington’s scores, they look like they have a team that can put a lot of runs on the board.”
The biggest challenge, Lamora said, is developing pitching depth to potentially play five games in six days. Lamora started Matt Maher in the district championship game, while Kasin Rose came in to earn the save. Rose also started the winners’ bracket final victory over Burrillville.
Lamora added that infielder Ben Jahnz is his No. 3 pitcher. Lamora said practice this week has been about finding the next three pitchers who would be needed to throw in losers’ bracket games.
Offensively, Jahnz, Maher, Patrick Leonard, Marcus Gomes, Chase Bedrossian and Matt Lamora all performed well during district play.
“Nerves are going to be a part of it because they’re nineand 10-year-old young boys,” Lamora said. “What we try not to do is over coach them. Baseball is one of the most individual team sports there are, so we try not to over coach them. That stuff just adds to the nerves. Mental toughness is so important.”
If CNLL wins Saturday night, they will play for a spot in the state title game at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. A loss on Saturday and the squad is back at Cragan Field at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Even though the ultimate goal in Little League is to win the Major Division state title and go to Bristol, Conn. to compete for a spot in the World Series in Williamsport, Penn. Lamora and his squad are simply focused on what they can control – which is the next week in East Greenwich.
“We’re playing for now,” Laomra. ‘We don’t know what the next couple of years are going to bring. What kid is going to grow 10 inches over the next year? Who’s going to develop a nasty curveball? We’re here now and we’re playing for now.
“Obviously, there’s always an eye toward development with what we’re doing and the practices we put in place. My coaches and I look at it that if we put down the proper foundation, we should be successful for years to come.”