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Yankees and Tigers Share the Little League Championship
For the second time in the past four seasons, the Philipstown Little League closed out its campaign with a tie for the title. For the first time in a very long time, three teams battled all season long for first place, creating one of the most competitive seasons in Philipstown Little League history.
Actually, the Tigers and Giants, either shared or were atop the standings almost all season long, both winning five or their first six contests. The Yankees meanwhile, won their first two, before dropping three games in a row. A title defense for the Yankees looked pretty dim, early on in the season.
Heading down the home stretch of the schedule, the Giants and Tigers were still deadlocked in first place, with just two losses apiece. The Yankees were still on the outside looking in with four losses. But the Yankees showed great resiliency by winning ten of their last eleven games to finish at 12 - 4.
The Yankees and Giants played four brilliant, memorable games, three of which were decided by one run. As one would expect, the top three teams were usually engaged in very competitive games.
Going into the final week of the season, the Yankees would finally draw even with their rivals by defeating the Tigers on consecutive days. The second game was a thrilling 1 - 0 victory by the Yankees.
Going into their last game of the season, the Yankees trailed the Giants 1 - 0 going into the bottom of the sixth. A loss would eliminate the Yankees. With the season on the line, one out in the bottom of the sixth, Jackson Zuvic slammed a game-tying, seasonsaving home run. An inning later the Yankees would tally another run on a game-winning double by Dan Kinnaird.
With a 12 - 4 record, and their season completed, the Yankees had played their way to at least a tie of they championship. The Giants and Tigers were both 9 - 4 and had three games remaining, the final game versus each other. After having shared the top spot all season long, the final game between the Tigers and Giants would eliminate one of them from the championship.
On June 20, the final night of the season and both the Giants and Tigers standing at 11 - 4, the two teams finally squared off for their share of the championship.
The Giants would strike first with a run in the top of the first. The score would remain 1 - 0 until Ian Thom hit a two run inside the park lone-run in the bottom of the fourth.
As had happened when these teams played all season, another outstanding pitching duel was taking place - this time between Truman Lorick of the Giants and Matt Tringali of the Tigers. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Truman allowed runners on second and third before tiring and being replaced on the mound. After an intentional walk to load the bases to create a force at any base, the Giants allowed a walk, then a bases clearing double by Will Simone. The Giants were now on the short end of a 6 - 1 score.
For the Giants, heartbreak followed the defeat. They had enjoyed a wonderful season, went "toe to toe" with both Yankees and Tiger, only to come up just a game short.
For the Tigers, who last season finished second, two games behind the Yankees, it was a great accomplishment, as their players really matured and played consistent championship baseball all season long.
For the Yankees, having only lost one player from last seasons' championship team, anything less than another title would have been disappointing. As they discovered early in the season, the Tigers and Giants would prove to be very formidable foes. The co-championship was the Yankees ninth league title in the past thirteen seasons.
Members of the co-championship Tigers include, TJ Brennan, Chris Delamater, Drew Ford, Henry Harms, Henry Heintzman, Jordan Panthen, Bailey Semple, Will Simone, Ian Thom, Matt Tringali, Ricky Valentine and Parker Walsh. The Tigers were managed by Paul Tringali, while Mike Heintzman and Kevin Walsh assisted the Tiger coaches.
Members of the Yankee squad were Andrew Balducci, Patrick Daponte, Matt Forlow, Spencer Hardy, Matt Hughes, Dan Kinnaird, Ryan Koval, Steven and Jack McCann, James Moss, James Olsen and Jackson Zuvic. The Yankees were coached by Damon Perpetua, Len Balducci and John Merante.
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