While Brick National’s 10-year-old Little League all-stars went unbeaten in their district, 18, Brick American’s players bounced back from an opening-game loss as both advanced to the double-elimination bracket.
"The kids showed a lot of character coming back from that loss. And then they had a bad first inning in our third game, just like that first one, but came back this time," said Brick American manager Chuck McGinnis.
Brick National, which swept past Lakewood, Toms River East, American and Jackson, played Berkeley last night at 8 at Point Pleasant Beach. Brick American played Manchester at Point Pleasant Borough last night at 6. Brick American plays tonight at the Brick National field in a 6 p.m. game, depending upon whether it lost the night before, and in an 8 p.m. game if it won last night.
After losing its opener to Toms River East National, 8-0, in pool play, Brick American rolled over Toms River National, 10-0, and then rallied to beat Toms River American, 4-2, Sunday.
In Sunday’s game at Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River American scored its two runs in the top of the first inning. Brick American came back with a run in the bottom of the inning and went ahead in the third with the other three runs. John Valente and Brandon Heim drove in runs with singles, and Adam Harlan’s misplayed grounder delivered the first run.
Brick’s Mike Rytowski pitched a five-hitter with three strikeouts while his mates committed only one error in the field.
Nick Galeotafiore held Toms River National to two hits on Saturday on Brick’s home field. He had four strikeouts and no walks, and Chris Austin filled in superbly at the catcher’s spot for Galeotafiore, who normally starts behind the plate. Harlan drilled a bases-clearing double in the third inning for a 5-0 lead. Mike DiGuilme went 4-for-4 with three RBIs, and Vin Sabba chipped in two hits.
In the loss, Brick American came to bat first and loaded the bases with none out before Toms River East National pitcher Chris Pappalardo struck out the next three batters. Brick American never recovered as Toms River East National capitalized on errors to score four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Kevin Case had two of Brick American’s four hits, and Rytelowski took the loss.