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Eastern Regionals are
next for All-Stars
By tim morris
Staff Writer
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY Freehold Township’s Ryan Cuneo shows off the form that has struck fear in the opposition throughout the summer during Saturday’s game against Hatsboro, Pa., at the Eastern Regional tournament in Tinton Falls.
There was nothing subtle about the way the Freehold Township Junior League won the state championship.
The All-Stars crushed everyone in their path en route to back-to-back titles.
Freehold Township picked up its second straight state crown on July 28 at the Howell Central Little League, crushing Roberto Clemente, Newark, 14-0 in five innings.
Township banged out three more home runs in victory led by Rodger Wilmot, who smashed a grand slam home run during a nine-run second inning.
Freehold Township’s Jason Nardi fires a pitch en route to the win on Saturday against Hatsboro, Pa.
Mike Kinsella started the scoring with a solo blast in the second, and Jason Baggitt added insult to injury with his three-run shot off the fieldhouse that was caught by none other than his mother, Karen Baggitt, in the third frame.
Ryan Cuneo, who has been "Captain Basher" of the 2003 Junior squad with 10 postseason home runs, didn’t need to go deep in this one. Instead, he contributed in another way, pitching a two-hitter. He struck out seven over five innings.
Freehold Township, champions of Section III and District 19, demolished its opposition at the Junior League Final Four, hosted by Howell Central. It won its three games by a total of 43-6 and never went the full seven innings in any of its wins.
Manager Charles Wilmot knew that he had a talented team prior to the state of the Junior League tournament back in early July, but it took the state tournament for him to realize just how potent a team he had.
Freehold’s A.J. Rusbarsky snares a ground ball during Saturday’s game in Tinton Falls.
Roberto Clemente has been a measuring stick for programs because of its consistent appearance in the state tournament. Now it is Freehold Township which has become that team with its consecutive state championships.
"I didn’t know how good we were playing," said Wilmot. "They have proven [themselves] to me. They have succeeded at a level I didn’t expect. Roberto Clemente is a very good, very competitive team. We saw them come back to win games. This makes our victory even more real."
Shortstop A.J. Rusbarsky is the only returner from last year’s Junior team that won the state title at the Lakewood BlueClaws stadium, FirstEnergy Park. The rare, two-time state champion, who was named the Defensive Player of the Game, didn’t hesitate, without disparaging the 2002 winners, to call the 2003 team better.
"Last year’s team was not as good as this year’s," he said. "Our offense is better and so is our pitching."
Anyone who saw Freehold Township’s hitters consistently clearing the fences during their ride to the state title, knows how dangerous and productive this team can be. The strength is in its depth.
"Look at Ryan Cuneo. He shut them (Roberto Clemente) down," said Wilmot. "It’s a luxury we have that he doesn’t have to do it with the bat every time. We have a lot of other players who can do it. Someone else can step up."
In the state final, it was Rodger Wilmot, Charles’ son, who did it, earning Player of the Game honors, highlighted by his grand slam in the second inning that all but sealed the win.
"I was ahead in the count and looking for my pitch, a fastball," Rodger said. "It was a fastball outside and I just went with it. I didn’t think it was going to be a home run. I thought it would be off the fence."
Instead, the ball traveled over the right field fence.
Baggitt smacked his home run in the fourth inning with two on, a shot over the right center field fence that hit the fieldhouse and bounced to his mother.
Cuneo, who has become accustomed to being pitched around, has been the team’s spark. Named Freehold Town-ship’s Final Four Most Valuable Player, his soaring home runs have ignited his teammates while demoralizing opponents.
"You have to be real disciplined at the plate and take advantage of your opportunities," he said. "I want to help my team in any way. It doesn’t have to be a home run."
Pitched around by Roberto Clemente, which saw him go deep in the first game between the squads, Cuneo still scored three times. While word of his home run power has spread to other teams, Cuneo doesn’t worry about living up to the reputation.
"I don’t feel a lot of pressure to hit a home run," he said. "I have a great team behind me. It’s been a team effort."
Freehold Township defeated West Deptford, 13-1, and Roberto Clemente, 16-5, to arrive at the state final undefeated. Roberto Clemente rallied to beat Wanaque to win the loser’s bracket and get a second shot at Freehold Township. It was of little avail as Township scored early and often, and Cuneo never let Roberto Clemente have a chance.
The Freehold Township Junior All-Stars are: Dominick Hayes, Steve Murphy, A.J. Rusbarsky, Ryan Cuneo, Jason Baggitt, Rodger Wilmot, Mike Kinsella, Jason Nardi, Chase Majewski, Brian Cooney and Steve Panarese.
The Junior All-Stars are playing in the Eastern Regional Tournament this week in Tinton Falls.