The Championship Game on June 16, between the Navy Team and the Red Falcons, was one of the most exciting games of the season, with outstanding hitting, heads-up defense, and lots of emotion. The lead changed hands seven times, and the game was decided in extra innings. Navy came into the game undefeated, with six wins. The two teams finished first and second in the regular season, and each won its playoff game to advance to the Championship. The stands were packed, the kids were pumped, and the action was incredible!

The Falcons led off the game but went three up and three down, with Navy’s shortstop James Matten using his glove to keep the Falcons off the bases. In the bottom of the first, Navy sent seven batters to the plate and scored twice on hits by Nick "The Stick" Loveless and James Matten. The Falcons failed to score again in the top of the second.

With the score 2-0 in the bottom of the second, a Navy scoring threat was halted by some fancy defense from the Falcon’s Jacob Hogan. In the top of the third, the Falcons got two quick outs but then brought up the top of the order. The first three batters all singled which left the bases loaded for Jonah Bobo, who quickly cleaned them up with a grand slam home run to put the score at 4-2 Falcons.

Navy answered right back in the bottom of the third with four runs of their own, with the help of key hits from Joel Strickland and Jonathan Debranche. Entering the top of the fourth with Navy leading 6-4, the Falcons closed the gap to within one run on an RBI single by Alexander Enock. Pitcher Aren Marfey’s defensive play halted any more scoring and Navy went into the bottom of the fourth still leading 6-5. An outstanding outfield catch by Cameron Hogan (his first of two) prevented Navy from widening the lead and the Falcons came up in the top of the fifth still down by one. The Falcons sent 9 batters to the plate that inning, scoring three runs on a rally kept alive by hits from Gianluca Yong-Gonzalez and Sam Serfaty. Another incredible outfield catch, this time by Navy’s Alpha Bah, stopped the drive and Navy entered the bottom of the fifth down 8-6. Navy was all business, and the first four batters all got hits and came in to score, putting Navy back on top 10-8. Falcons needed at least two runs in their half of the sixth inning to stay alive. Esther Work started the scoring and, before the inning was over, four Falcons had crossed the plate. That put them on top 12-10 going into the bottom half of the sixth inning.

James Matten tied the game at 12 with a huge triple, but the inning ended with the game tied and extra innings about to begin. The Falcons scored five times in the top of the seventh inning on a rally that began with a single from Serica Samms and another single and RBI by Rocky Portuhunco. With the Falcons on top 17-12 in the bottom of the seventh, Navy threatened a comeback on hits and runs by Loveless and Strickland. But that’s all the scoring they could muster, and the game ended with the Falcons on top 17-14 and winners of this years Minor’s Championship.

All players received trophies after the game. Additional trophies were given to the following players from Navy: James Matten and John King (Most Valuable Players), Nick Loveless (Sportsmanship), and Aren Marfey (Gold Glove for Fielding). The Falcons awarded additional trophies to Jonah Bobo and Jacob Hogan (Most Valuable Players), Gianluca Yong-Gonzalez (Sportsmanship), and Cameron Hogan (Gold Glove for Fielding).

The Beacon and the Minor League would like to thank the following coaches for their time and effort to support the players this outstanding season: Maroon’s Steven Vordenberg, Green’s Charles Abdul, Black’s Jamal Perry, Navy’s Brian King, Lt. Blue’s Ed Lucas and Red’s Scot Bobo. Additionally, the umpiring crew of Steve, Brandon, and Enaldo were fantastic, as always.

The Minor League had an All-Star game last Saturday (June 23), and the top players from every team were invited to play. The unofficial game was attended by parents, players, and fans, and was an exciting match that featured big hits and flashy defense. Thanks to Brian King and Charles Abdul, the field was decorated with Red, White, and Blue banners, baseball memorabilia, and even a sound system. Karri Lucas led off the festivities with a beautiful and rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, while the players and fans all stood at attention. The kids set their lineup, set their defense, and even coached the bases themselves. Brian King called the play-by-play, and the sound system kept the fans jumping between innings with songs that made even the players want to stop and dance.

The highlight of the day may not have had anything to do with baseball: Thanks to the parents of player Jerry Machachek, an ice-cream truck pulled up to the diamond and gave all the kids free cones! It was a great day for the Roosevelt Island Little League, one that all the players should remember and look forward to for next year!