Sports

Wolverines Battle From Behind to Win Title

District 12 8U baseball team tops South Orange/Maplewood at home.

The Warren 8U boys baseball team won the Cal Ripken District 12 Championship Game last night in Warren.

The Warren Wolverines faced the Cougars of South Orange/Maplewood in a game where neither team made an error.

The Cougars jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after one inning of play. The Wolverines then got on the board in the top of the 2nd when C.J. Stout singled in Luca Cianfano to make it 2-1. The Cougars struck back in the bottom of the 2nd with a solo home run, taking a 2-run lead.

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In the top of the 3rd, Ajay H. Patel led off with a single and was driven home on Blake Kominsky’s tripleto deep centerfield. Later in the inning, Kaden Everly gave the Wolverines the lead with a 2-run double to left.

As the top of the 3rd inning drew to a close, the Wolverines were ahead 4-3. Luca Cianfano then took control of the game striking out six batters in the 3rd and 4th innings.

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The Wolverines tacked on a run in the 4th when Luke Malfetti singledup the middle, bringing home Ajay V. Patel. Luke Malfetti came in to pitch and madequick work in the 5th inning, recording three outs on only eight pitches.

The Wolverines went on to score three more runs in the 5th and 6th innings on a double from Justin Helbing and a single from Blake Kominsky making the score 8-3 going into the bottom of the 6th. Patrick Brennan’s 2-out walk in the 6th loaded the bases. With two outs in the bottom of the 6th, Kaden Everly fielded a ground ball at third base and fired across the diamond to Luca Cianfano for the final out.

The Wolverines' three pitchers, Vincent Lee, Luca Cianfano and Luke Malfetti combined to get the win striking out 13 batters. Dan Ittycheria scored two runs, while Shane Kelly kept the fielders at the ready from his shortstop position.

The Wolverines now advance to the Cal Ripken State Tournamentwhich starts July 20th and will be held in Bridgewater. Congratulations to the boys ontheir big win and the coaches, Kevin Everly (Head Coach), Walter Lee (Asst. Coach), Todd Kelly (Asst. Coach) and Jeff Malfetti (Asst. Coach).

Submitted by Todd Kelly


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