The Mid-Monmouth Babe Ruth All-Stars did more than just win a state championship. The 16-year-olds helped give the league recognition when they defeated defending champion Iron Area, 2-1, in the Northern Babe Ruth state championship that was played in Jersey City on July 16.
"This was a big win for us," said George Rothweiler, president of the Mid-Monmouth Babe Ruth League, which is in its fifth year. "It puts us on the map."
That map will include a trip to Clinton, Md., this weekend for the Eastern Regional.
To win its first state title, the Mid-Monmouth All-Stars had to beat the Iron Area team, which has dominated the League not once, but twice.
Mid-Monmouth turned Iron Area (Morris County) back, 3-0, behind Steve Richter, on the way to placing first in the winner’s bracket. Iron Area would come back to win the loser’s bracket to get another shot at Mid-Monmouth. However, just as was the case the first time around, Mid-Monmouth’s pitching was too strong, according to manager J.P. Noval.
"We had very strong pitching," said Noval. "Iron Area is a very talented group. We out-pitched them and we out-played them. We just played good ball."
Steve Richter’s two-run home run staked Mid-Monmouth to a 2-0 lead and starter Steve Morreale made it stand up. He went six strong innings before Noval went to Richter to close it out in the seventh.
Pitching and defense is what got Mid-Monmouth through. They were deeper on the mound than anyone else, and they didn’t make mistakes behind their pitchers.
"We only made one error throughout the tournament," said Noval.
Mid-Monmouth was especially strong up the middle with shortstop Chris Coulson, center fielder Andy Lamboy and catcher Jordan Noval. Morreale, when he wasn’t hurling, played superbly at third.
Richter was the ace of a very strong pitching staff. He delivered a message to Iron Area in the opening game, when he shut the champions out. Mid-Monmouth took the momentum gained from that win and ran with it.
Joe Bartlinski won the second game, 4-3, over Hudson, with John Leszewski getting the save. Dave Heimell went four innings and got the win over Bergen County, 8-2, with Bill Franks getting the save with three strong innings of relief.
Morreale was great in the rematch against Iron Area, and Richter saved it. Richter’s home run was the only one hit by Mid-Monmouth throughout the tournament. Minus the long ball, Mid-Monmouth’s hitters seemed to do just enough in each game.
"When opportunity came, we took it," said Noval.
"As a whole, all of the kids played well," he added. "I had 15 players and everyone was an MVP."
With a deep pitching staff, Noval is confident his team can make its presence felt at the nine-team Eastern Regional. The Mid-Monmouth Stars will begin play on Saturday at 1 p.m. against the winner of the Maryland Babe Ruth title. The championship game will be Tuesday.
The Mid-Monmouth 16-year-old Babe Ruth All-Stars are: Jordan Noval, Bill Franks, Andy Lamboy and Craig Panella, Manalapan; Steve Morreale, Chris Coulson and Joe DiCaro, Freehold; Steve Richter and David Rada, Madison Park; Rob Ruhl and Tom Porricelli, North Howell; Mark Miglione, John Leszewski and Mike Plagianakos, Raritan; and Joe Bartlinski and Dan Heimall, South Amboy.
— Tim Morris