Middletown squad falls short in District 19 finals

By Warren Rappleyea

One of the enigmas of baseball, that players at all levels learn at some point during their playing days, is that somewhere along the line you’re going to meet a team you just can’t seem to beat.

The Middletown Youth Athletic Association’s 12-year-old all-star baseball team faced just that scenario recently, making it all the way to the finals of the Little League District 19 tournament before bowing to a team from Freehold Township for the second time.

The Middletown club went 4-2 in the double-elimination tourney, losing both times to Freehold Township, which now moves on to the Little League regionals. However, before being eliminated by the strong team from Freehold, Coach Pete Young’s team defeated opponents from Freehold Borough, Sandy Hook, Long Branch and Tinton Falls.

In the Freehold Borough game, Dan Lang went the distance, striking out 15 in a 1-0 victory. He also helped himself at the plate by driving home the game’s lone run with a sacrifice fly to score Russell Young, who had tripled.

Lang also earned the win against Long Branch and belted a pair of doubles in the Tinton Falls game.

Brendan Casey was on the mound for the Tinton Falls victory and Luis Obregon picked up the win against Sandy Hook.

Throughout the tournament, Brandon Leniart, Young, Lang, Obregon and catcher Matt Girard, who belted six home runs during the regular season, all hit well. Girard also had a pair of doubles against Tinton Falls.

According to Coach Young, he told his team that they should be proud of the way they played, pointing to the quality of the team that beat them as a testament to their efforts.

"We had a good run," Coach Young explained. "The team played well and we were up against some strong competition. Overall, we did well and I think the players had some fun."

The coach said that Lang will receive the team’s Most Valuable Player award for his consistently strong play throughout the tournament.

"While this was a team effort, Dan did an awful lot for us in the tournament," the coach said. "He pitched well, winning two games; he hit well and he played great at shortstop. He did everything he was asked to do."

Other members of the Middletown club are pitcher/first baseman Robert Stenger, infielders John Ringer and Ryan O’Mara, and outfielders Frank Sullivan, Jim DiMaiollo and Mike Mastriano. DiMaiollo also plays the infield.