Bergen Concrete

After going undefeated (6-0) in pool play, and dropping the first game of the final four (double elimination tournament), the Wood-Ridge/Moonachie Little Leagues 12 Year Old All Star team fought back and won four games in less than 48 hours including a double header sweep of Lyndhurst National in the Championship round on Sunday July 18, 2004 in Wallington. After dropping that opening game to Lyndhurst National by a score of 5-2 in extra innings on Thursday July15, 2004 the team was determined to get to the championship game and redeem themselves against the only team to blemish their record in District 5 play. The District 5 Championship is the leagues first since 1985 and sent the locals to Livingston NJ to represent the town, league and district in Sectional play against teams from West New York National, Milburn/Short Hills, Fort Lee, and the host town of Livingston American. On Friday July 16, 2004 the locals knocked off a feisty host team Wallington by a score of 9-5 eliminating Wallington. The game was scoreless until the top of the 4th inning when the locals struck for 6 runs to take the lead it never relinquished. The pitching dual was thrown a curve when our starting pitcher Shannon Sullivan’s back tightened up in the second inning and Tony Veltri had to be summoned from 1st base in relief. Veltri was a rock on the mound allowing only 3 earned runs on 5 hits and striking out 3. The defense put forth its usual stellar performance in helping Veltri notch his 4th pitching victory of the tournament. Hitting stars for the locals included Shannon Sullivan with a double and single good for 2 RBI’s, Tony Veltri’s 2 hits and 2 runs scored, Danny Connor’s double, run scored and RBI, and Robby Francis who reached base 3 times, scoring twice and knocking in a run. Alex Aitkens iced the game with a 2 run homer in the 6th inning. On Saturday July 17, 2004 the team sent Lyndhurst American home with a hard fought 12-9 victory. Knowing we needed to score a lot of runs due to a pitching shortage, the see-saw game that saw four lead changes was put out of reach when the locals scored 5 runs in the 4th inning. The team fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and had to climb back and did so with the following hitting stars: Alex Aitkens 3 hits (2 doubles) 3 runs scored and 4 RBI’s, Shannon Sullivan 2 hits, 1 run scored and 3 RBI’s, Eddie Lopez’s RBI single, Sean Code’s hit and run scored, Tommy Lacey’s 3 runs scored and Tony Veltri and Jennifer Keller with 2 runs scored each. Starting pitcher Danny Connor and relief pitcher Tommy Lacey left it all on the mound and gave everything they had scattering 9 hits, 9 walks, and striking out 4. Tommy Lacey pitched 4 heroic innings to ensure he and his teammates made it to the championship game the next day. On Sunday July 18, 2004 the tired but determined team needed 2 wins against Lyndhurst National to capture the District crown. The first game saw the local’s defeat Lyndhurst National 9-3. Winning pitcher Alex Aitkens improved his tournament record to 2-0 by allowing only 2 earned runs, surrendering 5 hits, 3 walks and striking out 4. He also contributed to the teams overall great defense with 5 assist including a remarkable barehanded stop on the mound. Second baseman Thomas Fugnitti also made an over the shoulder catch in short right field to take a hit away from a disappointed Lyndhurst National batter. Hitting stars were Aitkens with a double, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI’s, Tommy Lacey a hit and 2 runs scored, Sean Cody a hit, run scored and RBI, Tony Veltri with a hit and RBI, Danny Connor’s double and run scored, and Fugnitti with a hit and run scored. During this game the District Administrators advised the teams that if Wood-Ridge/Moonachie won the game there would be a second game for the championship due to scheduling deadlines and forecasted rain the next day. Although not expecting a second game and having already played 3 tough games in less than 48 hours the kids were up to the task. With rain approaching the locals beat Lyndhurst National 7-1 for the first District Championship in 19 years. The locals jumped on Lyndhurst National for 3 first inning runs with Nick Romero getting it all started by leading the game off with a base on balls. Winning pitcher Shannon Sullivan took a shutout into the 6th inning before surrendering the only run. She scattered 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. she alos helped herself with 2 hits one a double for a run scored and RBI. Other hitting stars were Danny Connor with 2 hits and an RBI, Robby Francis with a hit and 2 runs scored,Alex Aitkens 1 hit 1 run scored and 1 RBI, Tony Veltri 1 hit, 1 run scored and 1 RBI. The defense was very strong up the middle with infielders Aitkens and Tommy Lacey combining for 6 assists and 1 putout and centerfielder Danny Connor tracking down 2 long flyballs along the fence.