BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer
VINELAND — It was quite a summer for the Jackson 10-year-old all-stars. Memories from the past six weeks will stay with team members for many years.
Jackson completed its spectacular run through the state tournament by posting a dramatic 6-4 come-from-behind victory over a scrappy West Milford squad last Thursday night in the championship game at the South Vineland Little league complex.
In winning the state tournament, the 10-year-old all-stars become the first team in Jackson history to capture a state crown.
"The whole tournament, this team kept fighting to the end," Jackson coach Matt Petrizzo said. "There were a number of times during the past few weeks when we needed to dig down and rally from behind for a win. We kept our composure and focused on what we needed to do. All of the coaches are very proud of what this group of ballplayers has accomplished. We knew that we had a very talented team when we started back in districts. To finish up like this is just a great feeling."
Indeed, the 10-year-old all-stars remained calm as they trailed as late as the fifth inning. With just six outs left, Jackson trailed 4-3. But as it has on numerous occasions, Jackson’s offense came alive when it needed to most.
"We know that we have a number of very good hitters on this team," Petrizzo said. "In fact, every kid on this team has contributed in a big spot somewhere along the line. We told the kids to stay positive and be aggressive at the plate."
Mike Folk led off the fifth with a single, and Jake Nerwinski came in to pinch run for him. Spencer Young followed with a single, and Keith Jennings’ sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out.
Adam King drove in the tying run with an infield single. Nerwinski then gave Jackson the cushion it needed by smacking a two-run single for a 6-4 lead.
"This team has never given up at any time during these games," Matt Petrizzo said. "They have a quiet confidence about them that knows they can get the job done when the chips are down. We certainly showed composure in that fifth inning."
Nerwinski finished the game with two hits and two RBIs. Folk had a pair of hits, including an RBI single in the third. Young and King each delivered two hits, while teammate Joe Ogren added an RBI triple in the third as Jackson built a 2-1 lead. Matt Thaiss contributed a hit and an RBI. Jennings, Jim Sapio and Eric Hanson each poked a single, while Brandon Holup scored a run and Nick Petrizzo made a fine defensive play in right field to end the game.
"We played a pretty good defensive game," Matt Petrizzo said. "Each kid played an important role in winning this championship."
Folk started and lasted 4 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs and allowed eight hits, while striking out three. Young came on in relief and shut the door on a solid-hitting West Milford club.
Young gave up just one hit and struck out two en route to earning the win.
"All year our pitching has been solid," Matt Petrizzo said. "We have a number of kids on this team who can really get it done on the mound. Again, in this game, our pitching was spectacular against a very good hitting team."
In the semifinals, Jackson got a stellar pitching effort from Ogren to beat West Milford, 3-1. Ogren scattered four hits and struck out four in going the distance. It was his sixth postseason victory.
"He had great stuff," assistant coach Ray King said. "He gave us a huge effort."
Jackson scored singled runs in the second, third and fourth innings. Jackson took a 1-0 lead in the second, courtesy of Nerwinski’s RBI walk that plated Jennings. King added a single in the frame, and Jason Carmichael used patience to load the bases with a walk.
In the third, Nick Petrizzo singled leading off and moved to second on a wild pitch. Petrizzo scored on Folk’s RBI single.
Matt Thaiss gave Jackson an insurance run when he blasted a home run over the left center-field fence.
Petrizzo and Nerwinski each made running catches in the outfield to secure Jackson’s lead. The Jackson infield produced eight ground-ball outs.
"We have solid fielders," Matt Petrizzo said. "They work hard to be as good as they are. Our defense is one of the main reasons for our success."