Gracious in defeat
N.H. makes quick work of Cumberland American in New England opener
Cumberland American third baseman Charlie Tarara reaches out to congratulate New Hampshire’s Ryan Cote, who hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning — on the first pitch he saw, nonetheless — at Breen Field in Bristol, Conn., Sunday. New Hampshire would go on to the mercy-shortened, 13-0 victory in the New England Regional opener for both teams. Despite the loss, Cumberland is still very much alive in the tournament and is scheduled to play again Tuesday night (7) against Vermont champion Essex Junction.
BRISTOL, Conn. — In the Cumberland American Little League Major Division all-star team's two previous trips to New Englands, a loss in the opening game – no matter how lopsided – wouldn't have been cause for concern because there were still three pool play games left to play.
In order to book a third trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn., CALL must first run the table in order to emerge out of the losers' bracket. It’s a tall order, but one the Rhode Island Major Division champs are ready for.
New Hampshire champion Goffstown came into Sunday's regional opener at Breen Field on the A. Bartlett Giamatti Leadership Complex with an offense that knocked Concord into submission in the state final.
They did the same to CALL Sunday night.
Centerfielder Ryan Cote cracked a two-run home run in the opening inning to set the stage for an 11-run, 16-batter second inning which ended 11-year-old starter Jack LaRose's night much earlier than he had hoped. Cote finished the evening with three hits and five RBIs, while starting pitcher Aiden O'Connell threw 3.1 shutout innings and scored two runs in a 13-0 four-inning winners' bracket quarterfinal victory.
“That's a first for us,” said CALL coach Tony Tarara, whose side had lost just two games in the last two seasons. “I basically just told them that what we do next is what builds character. When you get knocked down, you have to build yourself back up. This is the first time for us really getting whipped like that. It doesn't happen to us.”
While Goffstown faces Massachusetts state champion Holden tonight at 7, CALL will have a day to lick their wounds and regroup before playing an elimination game tomorrow night at 7 against Vermont champion Essex Junction Little League at 7. Charlie Tarara, who is 3-1 in tournament play, will get the start for the kids from Garvin Field.
“We have to come out all guns blazing,” Tarara said. “We have to hit. We made a couple of mistakes in the field that could've made this game a little different. We just have to step up. We need to come out and we need to bring it to them.”
Sunday's game couldn't have started much better, as O'Connell issued a leadoff walk to Scotty Penney before Tarara cracked the first pitch her saw to left field. After Joey Cote moved both runners into scoring position, O'Connell struck out fellow lefties LaRose and Sanzi. At one point, the lefty set down eight straight CALL batters.
“That was a key momentum burner for us,” Tarara said. “The fact that we didn't plate a run in the first took the wind out of our sails at that point. When you have two guys on and you have Jack and J.J. up, you;re expecting a run to cross. They came up and hopped on the first pitch they saw and, I have to hand it to them, they took care of us.”
Goffstown scored the only runs they would need before LaRose could earn an out. After O'Connell laced a double to center, Ryan Cote crushed an inside fastball over the left-field fence.
LaRose set down the next three batters, but he found trouble again in the second. The first three batters reached base before the 11-yearold induced a comebacker from Ryan Strand. Sanzi made the out at home, but his throw to first hit Strand, allowing a run to score.
Tarara argued to the home plate umpire Mark Mori that Strand was out of the base line and he should've been out, but the call stood and the floodgates opened.
“Basically, the way the rule was explained to me, half way down the line you have to get to the right side and he never went to the right side,” Tarara said. “My argument was that if he was running when he should be running, that ball never hits him. The umpire said he was at the bag already, so he can come back to the bag.”
Following run-scoring hits from Ryan Cote, Nathan Innerfield, Jake Webber and Brayden Hollinrake, Strand delivered a two-run single off of reliever Andrew Mastin. Cote produced a two-run single to finish the 11-run inning.
Cumberland American had a chance to extend the game when they loaded the bases with two outs in the third inning. Following a catcher's interference with Tarara at the plate, Cote and LaRose delivered singles to right field. O'Connell struck out Sanzi to end the inning. He finished the evening with six strikeouts.
Tarara knows it's a trip to Saturday's regional final will involve winning three games in four days against the best teams in New England, but he's not worried about anything other than Tuesday night against Vermont.
“The captains have to step up,” Tarara said. “Joey, Charlie and Mastin have to say 'Hey, it's enough.’ Now we have to get back to work. We're focused on Tuesday only. We have to worry about that game and that's it. We did a good job with the pitching count. That's the only positive I can take away from this tonight.”
NOTES: For the third straight season, Dave Belisle is calling New England regional contests for ESPN. This season, however, is a little different. After calling Cranston Western's title run in 2015 and Warwick North's victory last season, Belisle's home league, Cumberland American, is back for the first time since Belisle led CALL to the 2014 title.
Belisle, who was at CALL's going-away event at Bentley Field, said he will do his best to remain neutral, but he's pulling for Tarara's crew to reach Williamsport.
“Oh God yes, this is different,” Belisle said. “I'm sure the guys at ESPN are going to be busting me about that, but this is a team I'm close with. I've seen them do this first hand. I still live in Cumberland and these kids are my neighbors. There is a special bond with these kids and I'm not going to be afraid to show it.”
Belisle said his allegiances won't change the enthusiasm he shows for the other five teams attempting to reach their dream of playing in the Little League World Series.
“There are five other teams that I'm just as proud of and just as proud to announce for,” Belisle added. “They've worked extremely hard and I'm not going to slight them. When they make a great play, I'm going to call it with the excitement I always do. I'm going to reflect on it the way a coach would reflect on it. Deep down I'm rooting for Cumberland.” Cumberland American 000 0–032 Goffstown, N.H. 2(11)0 x – 13 12 1 Jack LaRose, Andrew Mastin (2), Matt Gauvin and J.J. Sanzi; Aiden O'Connell, Ryan Cote (4) and Brayden Hollinrake. 2B – G, O'Connell, Jake Webber, Cote, Hollinrake, Jack Wilkinson; HR – G, Cote.