The Jersey Shore Thunder U10 Baseball Club won the USABL Championship Sunday, defeating the Middletown Warriors by a score of 2-1. The Thunder got on the board early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Ryan Grover was the star of the day, making several key catches in center field. In addition, Grover collected two hits and stole home for the Thunder’s first run. Joe Keane, Troy Baldwin and Jimmy Dengler combined for a five hitter. Dengler picked up his second save in two days with a game-ending strikeout, leaving the tying run on second base. To advance to the championship game, the team beat Wall in dramatic fashion on Saturday, 5-4. Steller defense by third baseman David Rosone, shortstop Blake Brandon and catcher Chris Lorenz throughout the playoffs kept the Thunder in every game.
The team members are Blake Brandon, Charlie Olman, Chris Lorenz, Collin Trettel, David Rosone, Frankie Juliano, Jimmy Dengler, Jimmy Schinnick, Joe Keane, Ryan Grover, Troy Baldwin, Willie Dengler and Zachery Marcin.
The Central Jersey Saints 14U baseball team is looking for a catcher for a Saturday and Sunday fall league. The team has already qualified for the 2005 national qualifying tournament in Delaware. Serions and dedicated players, with experience as a catcher, can call Bob Berardi at (732) 525-2917.
Young pro football fans will have the opportunity to exhibit their football skills when the Holmdel Football Association hosts the NFL Pepsi Pint, Pass & Kick competition. The competition is free and open to boys and girls ages 8-15. It will be held Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Satz School. For competition information, contact Rik Musiura at (121) 765-4800. Entry forms also are available from www.ppk-nflyouthfootball.com.
The competition allows youngsters to showcase their talents in punting, passing and kicking with scores based on distance and accuracy. Age classification is as of Dec. 31 of the current year. The top finishers from each of eight age groups at the local competition will advance to a sectional competition. The winners at the sectional competitions will have their scores compared with other sectional champs, with the top five scores from the pool of sectional champs advancing to the team championship, to be held at Giants Stadium.