They’ll play in mid-July in Cooperstown tourney
The Hillsborough Heat won the 10-game Union Spring League, wrapping up the playoffs with two victories on Saturday, June 15.
The Heat defeated South Plainfield-Fanwood in the semifinals of the four-team playoffs and came back the same day to beat the previously undefeated top-seeded Union Storm, 7-6, in the championship game.
In the final, the Heat, a 12-and-under team, opened up a 6-0 lead in the second inning on a RBI ground out by Matt Popadiuk and RBI singles by Stephen Trampe, Michael Golankiewicz and Andrew Lagerman.
They pulled out to a 7-2 lead with a RBI single by Ryan Gemignani and held on in the sixth for a 7-6 victory behind pitching from starter Kyle Subers, Michael Golankiewicz and Nick Scerbo.
In the second inning, Scerbo also made a great catch from his centerfield position, tracking down a ball headed for the left center gap.
Earlier in the day, the Heat belted South Plainfield-Fanwood, 17-1, behind strong hitting up and down the lineup, including home runs from Joey Talamo, Kyle Subers and two by Vince Gambardella, and strong pitching from Chris Zickert and Erik Hesthag.
The Heat will play in a short summer league with neighboring-town teams, as well as tournaments, including a week-long tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y., starting July 20.