Hampstead Reds

Welcome to the website of the 2001 Hampstead Major League Reds! Visit our site often to keep up on the latest team news, game scores and highlights, and upcoming events.

The Hampstead Reds claimed the 3-foot high Quintown Major League trophy Saturday morning, June 30th, after defeating the Fremont Marlins 6 - 1 in Fremont. It had been 10 years since the Hampstead Reds had taken the top title. Manager Ed Riemitis distributed the individual trophies to his players after the game, citing short stories and his observations about each player. Mike Carace turned in a tremendous pitching performance, effectively neutralizing the Marlins’ top hitters, striking out 11 batters and giving up only six hits. The Reds struck early with two runs each in the second and third innings and added two AFLAC runs in the top of the 6th. Hot bats belonged to Jason Carace with three hits, Matt Willey and Jeff Manzick each with two hits, and Mike Carace, Mike Keenan, Matt Murrell, Scott Randall and Jay Riemitis each had a hit. Jeff Manzick’s first hit drove in the first two runs for the Reds and gave the team the spark that they needed. Scott Randall turned a heads-up double play by tagging the base runner heading to second and firing to first in time for the second out. The series nearly ended two days earlier with Fremont as victors when the Marlins took the field in the bottom of the 6th inning of game number two with a four run lead. The Reds rallied for five runs to force the series to game three. Coach Riemitis thanked his players, his coaches Pete Keenan, Vinnie Carace, Steve Clark and Doug Willey, and all of the parents. He shared with the players and their parents that he felt this was the best group of players he has coached in his nine years as coach, not because they won more games but for their attitude and behavior. The Reds plan to celebrate their title-winning season at an upcoming team party. Congratulations Hampstead Reds!!!

The Hampstead Reds rallied in the bottom of the 6th inning with 5 runs to defeat the Fremont Marlins in game two of the Quintown Major League Championship Series. The Marlins host the Reds on Saturday, June 30th at 9:00am for the deciding game. Mike Keenan threw a strong 6 innings, striking out 9 batters. He helped secure himself the win with two hits. Also contributing two hits were Mike Carace, Matt Murrell and John Fahadien. Additional hits were delivered by Matt Willey, Matt Novak, Jay Riemitis, and Scott Randall, who had the game winning run, driving in Mike Keenan for run number six. Game balls went to Mike Keenan for his fine pitching performance, and to Scott Randall for his excellent work behind the plate and his game winning hit.

The Reds are heading to the Championship Series after defeating the Chester White Sox 6 to 0 in the third and final game of the 2nd round playoffs on Saturday June 23rd in Hampstead. Mike Keenan gave a great performance on the mound, striking out nine batters and giving up only three hits. Matt Murrell had three hits, Matt Willey, Steve Clark, and John Fahadien each had two hits, and Mike Carace, Jay Riemitis and Scott Randal each delivered a hit. Matt Willey made a diving line drive grab at second, picking off the runner at first to make the double play. The Reds lost game one of the playoff series but came back strong in game two in Chester with 16 runs. The Reds face the Fremont Marlins on Monday, June 25th at 5:45 in Fremont for game one of the best-of-three series. Go Reds!!!

The Reds swept the first round of playoffs by beating the Brentwood Brewers on June 13th by a score of 12 to 1 in Brentwood. Matt Willey went the distance striking out 4 and allowing only 6 hits. Mike Keenan crushed a grandslam home run over the left field fence, one of his two hits on the night. Matt Murrell had three hits, and Steve Clark, Matt Willey and Jay Riemitis each had two hits. Steve Clark and Matt Willey each had a double in their hit counts. Also adding hits were John Fahadien with a single, Mike Novak with a double, and Mike Carace with a stand-up triple. The Reds infield turned a gorgeous 1-6-3 double play in the bottom of the 6th, with Matt Willey on the mound hitting Steve Clark at second and Matt Murrell making a great stretch catch at first. The dates for the second round of the playoffs have not yet been determined.