H-NB 13s move within one win of World Series
SOMERS POINT » Ryan Boyd brought his best stuff to the mound, James Watson displayed some power at the plate and Nate Mains was impressive behind the plate and clutch with a bat in his hands.
The result of it all was an exciting win for the Hamilton-Northern Burlington 13-year old all-stars in the Middle Atlantic Regional.
Played in a light rain, the 3-1 win over the host Atlantic Shore team on Monday sends the H-NB team to the title game and just one win away from the 13-year old World Series in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
The Switlik Park Crew faces the winner of Bridgewater and Broomall-Newtown on Tuesday in Somers Point for the series berth. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Bridgewater was the second place finisher in H-NB’s division and lost 6-1 to the locals. Broomall-Newtown won the ‘A’ Division with a 4-0 record.
“It was a gut-wrenching game,” said H-NB manager Jim Petersohn. “They are a gutsy team. I’m very impressed the way we came out with a business like mentality and played the game.”
Petersohn managed the game with a heavy heart due to the sudden passing on Sunday of Harry DeBonis, a former manager in the Hamilton BRL and a mentor to Petersohn. DeBonis was also a long time Assistant District One Commissioner and this year he joined the Southern New Jersey State staff and the Middle Atlantic Regional staff.
Bill Pettit, the SNJ Commissioner and assistant regional commissioner and the staff at Atlantic Shore, led by league president Bill Rauzzino, delivered a beautiful tribute to DeBonis, who was known throughout Babe Ruth circles as well as Mercer County.
When it came down baseball, H-NB took quick advantage as Watson smacked a solo home run to left field in the first inning to stake it to a 1-0 lead.
Atlantic Shore tied it at 1-1 in the sixth and then H-NB sealed the win in the home sixth.
“The coach gave me the take sign on the first pitch and then I got a fastball right down the middle,” said Watson, of his homer. “I put my best swing on it and it travelled pretty well. We get settled in when we get the early lead.”
Then Boyd and Mains took over to protect and eventually add to the lead.
Boyd was near perfect on the mound as he yielded just three hits and one run through 6.2 innings.
“In the beginning I was doing very good and they I hit a little slump,” said Boyd. “I wasn’t tired just a little sore. I got a lot of support in the field, from Matteo (Mannino) at short, and Alex (Visalli) made some great catches. Altogether it was a great team win and it’s fun to be in the championship game.”
Mains solidified H-NB going to the title game with his arm and the bat.
The catcher threw out a runner trying to steal third in fifth inning with one out and then he was the catalyst for H-NB’s decisive sixth inning with a two-out double down the line in left to start the rally.
“I heard everyone yelling that he was going and Ryan (Boyd) gave me a good pitch to throw on,” said Mains of the play that took care of the AS rally. “It’s my job and what I’m supposed to do back there. Whatever I have to do to help the team I’m going to do it.”
A couple of misplayed flyballs off the bats of Chris Nodeland and Ryan Kochie in the sixth plated Mains and Nodeland for a 3-1 lead.
“I got a good pitch to hit and I put it where I should’ve, he was a great pitcher he just made a mistake,” said Mains of the double. “I was just up there looking to get on any way I can.” Atlantic Shore 000 001 0 — 1 H-NB 100002x—3 WP: Boyd. LP: Patten
2B; AS — Fury. HNB- Mains. HRL HNB — Watson