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TR's coach throws his arms up in disgust over 12 year old batter's inability to drive in the winning run at third, in today's final strike out as Jackson beats previously undefeated TR 7-5
Jackson, NJ – Jackson Township’s 12 year old Little League All-Star team handed District 18’s favorites, Toms River Little League their first loss in the 2009 tournament today. Toms River came into the game on a high after defeating Jackson Tuesday night with a heartbreaking bottom of the 6th inning walk off grand slam, but all the heartbreak tonight belonged to the over confident Toms River squad.
There was a huge crowd on hand today, anchored by Jackson’s own bleacher creature cheering section who have been with these kids since day one. Mayor Mike Reina and Councilman Scott Martin were also in attendance to show their support for their town’s young all-stars and the Asbury Park Press finally showed up to cover the game. It’s a shame, when parents asked the press photographer politely to move because he was blocking their view, he told the parents “Do you want your kids’ pictures in the paper?” when told they just wanted to see the game he responded “Look, I don’t even want to be here today” and moved to the Toms River side of the field. Unfortunately they are freelance positions and not affected by last week’s cut backs.
Unfortunately, this was not the only pre-game drama, as the high strung Toms River coach instructed umpires to warn Jackson children in attendance not to make too much noise in the outfield, prompting the umpires to warn the kids that if they bang the signs, stomp the bleachers or bang the plastic fence railing, he will “clear the bleachers”. Not phased by the warning, the kids followed the umpire’s directions and still managed to heavily influence the home field advantage in the game with loud cheers, taunting, air horns, whistles and other noise makers. Hopefully on Tuesday, the Toms River coach realizes he is managing a baseball team, not golf or chess and the kids bring it again.
Danny Serreino pitches solid game and crosses the plate after belting out another long ball.
Jackson jumped to an early lead with a 3 run home run, stunning Toms River’s coaches, fans and players. The Toms River team, not used to playing from behind, once again had to play their whole game playing catch up with Jackson. Toms River tried to start their own early rally, but were held to just 1 run by strong pitching by Danny Serreino and solid fielding behind him.
Jackson added an insurance run on a base hit, extending their lead to 4-1.
Toms River came back with a monster 3 run home run that soared over the field house in center field, tying the game at 4-4.
Jackson responded and maintained their dominance over Toms River once again with a base hit RBI, taking a 5-4 lead into the 6th inning.
Charles "Chuck Wagon" Dimino gets read to come home with Steve "Lazer" Lazicki at the plate.
Toms River was handed a second life on a bad throw in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 6, but the Jackson kids stayed focused and held on to stop Toms River from capitalizing further on defensive mistakes. Matt Cunningham came on in relief and held Toms River at bay while he pitched a scoreless 7th inning to set up Jackson’s dramatic win.
In the bottom of the 7th, Toms River had runners in scoring position with nobody out, just 60 feet from a championship, but were once again stopped in their tracks by a Jackson team that dominated. It all went down hill for Toms River after having their winning run picked off at third base, then a strike out and fly ball ended the inning.
Top of the 8th, Kyle Missry singled to center with one out. Toms River retired the next batter and with two outs, Steve Lazicki stepped into the batters box. Steve Lazicki launched a bomb to left field to give Jackson a 7 – 5 lead.
In the bottom of the 8th, Carmine Pellone stepped onto the mound to close out the game for Jackson. After a miscue by Jackson and a walk, Toms River had 1st and 2nd with 0 outs. Pellone struck out the next batter and got a potential ground ball double play ground ball but another throwing error allowed one run to score and placed the tying run at 3rd with two outs. Pellone struck out the final batter on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
The District 18 Championship will be decided on Tuesday evening at 6:30 at the Holbrook Little League Complex as both squads have a loss in the double elimination tournament.
Thursday July 9: Toms River coach loses his mind against umpires in an incident in which he should have been eject. Followed up with today's "silencing of the creatures" in which he instructed umpires to shut those kids up! 9 At least he's wearing the right color shorts!
