The Jackson 8 Year Old All Stars concluded their 2009 season with 16-5 win over top seeded and previously undefeated Cheesquake.  The final score was not indicative as to how close the game was through five innings. Clinging to a 6-4 lead heading into the sixth and final inning the Jackson 8’s exploded for 10 runs to put the game out of reach.

 
Jackson got out to an early 1-0 lead on a manufactured run ignited as usual by Jackson shortstop Dino Spinelli. Spinelli singled to start the inning, moved to second on an infield out by Christian Pellone, stole third and scored on an RBI ground out by Nate Nepsha.

 
“What wins Championships?” Manager Roy Spinelli asked his team before they took the field. “Defense” answered his players. It was an all around defensive effort that carried the night for Jackson. Cheesquake jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the first. Stephen (the Natural) Slusak provided the first defensive highlight settling under a blast just short of the fence to limit what could have been a bigger inning for the heavy hitting Cheesquake squad.

 

 

To provide good defense Jackson also came up with outstanding pitching.  After his first bout with control in the tournament, Jackson Ace, Ian Goldberg showed his toughness. Golberg came up with a big strike out to end the first then only allowed one run over the next two innings.  Over the course of the weekend “Easy Ian” pitched 9 + strong innings while striking out 16. Goldberg’s grit and perseverance was a key to Jackson’s Championship run.

 
In the bottom of the second Cheesquake added another run to take a 4-1 lead and threatened to make it a bigger lead but the Jackson defense again rose to the occasion. A key put out at first by Brandon Giuliano and a strike out by Goldberg were topped off by the second outstanding outfield play of the night this time by Christian Pellone. The youngest member of the Jackson team, Pellone’s baseball skill and instincts are far beyond his 7 years of age. The Pellone family baseball legacy is safe with number 11.

 
The defensive performance seemed to frustrate the Cheesquake team at the same time brought to life the over 200 Jackson fans in attendance. In the top of the third Spinelli again got the Jackson offense started with a one out walk. After a fielder’s choice left Jackson with one on and two out, Nasty Nate Nepsha delivered his second RBI of the game with a single to left center and the two out rally was on. Joey (Zeppi) Princiotta followed with another single. Mikey Schiazza came to the plate next and quickly found himself down in the count 1-2. Schiazza fought off two tough pitches and worked a walk to keep the inning alive.

 
Jackson catcher Zach Tunis who has excelled behind the plate all tournament  this time took center stage in front of the plate and delivered and RBI single to make the score 4-3. The Jackson crowd was now in full fanatic mode. Brandon Giuliano followed with another walk to tie the score at 4-4. The semi finals hitting hero Nick Tolmachewich, again blasted a base hit through the middle to give Jackson a 5-4 lead. Stephen Slusak followed with a bases loaded walk to cap the five run rally and give Jackson a 6-4 lead heading to the bottom of the third.

 
As the Jackson team headed out for the bottom of the frame, momentum had clearly shifted. Goldberg strode back to the mound and delivered another shutout inning but not without help. To start the inning, Cheesquake ripped a line drive to left. Mikey Schiazza attacked the ball and made a lunging catch across his body for the first out. Goldberg fanned the next batter looking. The inning was capped by yet another great defensive play. This time Spinelli raced in for a grounder and fired across to Nepsha who flashed his gold glove skills by scooping the ball off the turf for the final out.  The Jackson faithful were rocking.

 
Jackson threatened in the top of the fourth on walks by Liam Radeke and Jimmy Wendolek who both advance to second and third on stolen bases but were stranded to end the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth and two on, Manager Spinelli called on his closer Zeppi Princiotta to get the final 8 outs of the game. Ian Goldberg left the mound to a hero’s ovation for a weekend of pitching excellence and heart. Princiotta was able to get out of the inning quickly. A hard grounder to Tolmachewich got the second out on a force at third and then with the bases loaded Zeppi was able to get a grounder back to the mound which he calmly tossed to Nepsha to end the inning.
In the top of the fifth Jackson again was unable to cross the plate stranding Pellone and Princiotta on the bases. The score remained 6-4 and Jackson was six outs from the Championship. As the Jackson 8’s took the field Coach Al Golberg told the team “know your job and do your jobs out there and we will win this”. The Jackson 8’s did what the coach instructed and then some.

 
 Following a lead -off walk for Cheesquake the Cheesquake side of the field began to come to life. At this point the Jackson team turned in on back to back plays two of the best defensive plays of the tournament.  First, on a ripped shot headed for a single to center, Dino Spinelli laid out completely to his left to snag the would be base hit. Calmly and quickly he rose to his knees and flipped a strike to Giuliano at second for the force out. 

 
Cheesquake was not deterred with their cleanup hitter coming to the plate. On the second pitch of the at bat the ball was crushed heading to the fence in right field. Lucas Rother eased to his right and reached out to make a game saving catch. Rother immediately fired to first base and nearly pulled off the double play. Princiotta got the next batter to bounce back to the box and Jackson was only three outs away. The score remained 6-4 and Manger Spinelli urged his team to get some runs to put the game away.
Again the Jackson 8’s responded. Giuliano led off and was hit by a pitch. After stealing second and third he scored on an RBI ground out by Tolmachewich. Slusak was then also hit by a pitch forcing Cheesquake to change pitchers.  With two outs Liam Radeke and Jimmy Wendolek worked out walks to load the bases for Dino Spinelli. Spinelli and Pellone followed with walks and Nate Nepsha delivered a crushing RBI Single to give Jackson an 11-4 lead.  The Jackson 8’s added 5 more runs with RBI’s from Princiotta, Schiazza, Tunis and Giuliano to head to the final half inning with a 16-4 lead.

 
Princiotta struck out the first batter of the inning. Following back to back hits by Cheesquake, Spinelli and Giuliano recorded a force at second. The final out came in appropriate style with a pop out to catcher Tunis who has excelled behind the plate all tournament long.

 
The Jackson players, families and friends rushed the field in celebration. Manager Spinelli presented trophies to all players and commented on how far this group of kids and come and grown into a team in only 5 weeks. The celebration continued back in Jackson at Fans Pub well into the night.  The Jackson baseball tradition is in good hands with its’ newest group of All Stars. The only sad part of the evening was that there is no game today.

 

Congratulations to all the boys on an exciting Championship season. Thank you to all the families, friends and fans for the tremendous support.  See you all next season.