While several Hamilton Township Little League all-star teams were still battling in state and sectional tournaments in late July, the Nottingham 50/70 squad and the Sunnybrae 9-year-olds could look back with satisfaction on their summer of baseball.
Nottingham steamrolled its way to the District 12 championship, beating its three opponents by a combined score of 17-0. The Sunnybrae 9s went 9-0 while winning two tournaments.
Nottingham 50/70
Playing in their first district tournament with greater distances from the mound to the plate and between the bases, Nottingham opened with a 7-0 victory over Princeton as Elijah Spurlock allowed one hit with no walks and 15 strikeouts in six innings, while Austin Carroll fanned two in a hitless seventh.
“Elijah was at his best, hitting his spots, changing speeds and throwing gas,” manager Jonathan Spurlock said. “Austin came in to get some work because I knew he would start game two.”
Carroll both started and finished it, pitching a seven-inning no-hitter with three walks and four strikeouts in a 2-0 victory over West Windsor. The only threat of a hit came in the first inning, but left fielder Dom Elie ran down a tracer and caught it on the run.
“Austin kept the hitters off balance all game by changing speeds well and hitting the zone, which created soft contact,” Spurlock said. “From the point (of Elie’s catch), Austin continued to hit his spots, get soft contact and let the defense do their work.”
It was back to Spurlock in the title game, as he tossed a complete-game one-hitter with three walks and eight strikeouts.
“Elijah gave up a single in the second and the very next play we turned a double play,” Spurlock’s dad said. “Elijah did not allow another hit and struck out two in the seventh to complete the game.”
In allowing just two hits in the tournament, Nottingham’s pitchers received huge support from their defense, which committed just one error and turned two double plays.
The Sayen Gang’s starting lineup in the title game was Spurlock at pitcher, John Dymowski at catcher, Carroll at first base, Dom Loretucci at second base, Ethan Shanfield at third base, Elie in left field, Justin Snediker in center field and Alex Chucchiaro in right field.
The offensive leaders were Spurlock, who went 5-for-7 with a walk, an RBI, four runs and six stolen bases; Dymowski, who went 4-for-5 with three walks, three RBIs, four runs and four steals; Shanfield, who went 3-for-8 with four RBIs; Elie, who had a double and a home run; Carroll, who had a hit, two walks, four RBIs and three runs; and Schnorbus, who had a .500 on-base percentage.
Also contributing were Mason Guagliardo, Noah Cruz, who had a .500 on-base percentage, and Nolan Zurybida.
“Mason subbed in at second base and when his number was called to play defense he was read, making seven plays in districts,” Spurlock said. “Cruz subbed at first and did a great job and Nolan had a high OBP, took his walks and subbed in the outfield.”
The manager said the team’s philosophy was to have tough at-bats, as Nottingham frequently practiced a two-strike approach. It paid off in districts, as Nottingham had 17 plate appearances that lasted six or more pitches.
After Nottingham struck out 13 times against Princeton, seven of them looking, Spurlock said, “We challenged the boys to improve on this since we worked so hard in practice.”
They accepted the challenge, striking out just nine times in the final two games.
The Sayen Gang had a solid blend of power and speed, picking up several extra-base hits and stealing 15 bases in districts.
“The stolen bases had a significant impact on the team’s success,” Spurlock said. “Opposing pitchers had to have their heads on a swivel and therefore our hitters were able to have great at bats.”
Defensively, Schnorbus was part of four double plays in five games, while Loretucci, Shanfield, Carroll and Spurlock provided stellar infield play. Carroll and Spurlock also were strong in the outfield, and Dymowski caught every inning behind the plate.
After a strong district tournament, Nottingham ran into a tough Toms River team in the sectionals and was short-handed without Dymowski for both games and Elie for one. Nottingham fell to Toms River 9-0 and 3-0.
“After our first loss we knew we had to win three games in three days to win sections, so we had to adjust,” Spurlock said. “We turned to Elijah to try and win the loser bracket final and he pitched very well (four hits, three runs, 9 Ks in six innings) in a losing effort.
“It was tough but we fought hard and I am proud of how these kids played. Especially getting beat 9-0 and coming back and making it a close game in the second game.”
Helping the cause were assistants Bryan Schnorbus and Darren Carroll, and Spurlock added, “we had a great group of families.”
It was a history-making group, as this was the first Nottingham team to win a 50/70 district championship. HTRBA is the only other Hamilton league to win districts in the 13 years of the 50/70 tournament.
Sunnybrae 9-year-olds
The Brae opened its summer by going 4-0 in the West End District 12 local tournament, outscoring its opponents 43-6. The Yardville Gang beat both Nottingham entries and defeated West Windsor in the winners’ bracket final and championship game.
Although it technically was a District 12 tournament, the winner does not advance to sectionals or states as teams in other age groups do. With just three teams in the 12-year-old tournament, the turnout at this level was encouraging.
“What stood out most to me was seeing nine local teams representing District 12,” manager Danny Mattonelli said. “It was encouraging to see such strong participation at the nine-year-old level. It’s a testament to the continued strength of Little League in our area.
“I’m pleased to see youth baseball returning to its roots, with local communities coming together to compete, develop players, and build a love for the game.”
The team consisted of Luca Mattonelli, Bryce Ammirata, Bennett Woodrow, Joseph D’Andrea, Gino Diodati, Benjamin Ferens, Andrew Cowell, JJ Cavalier, Anthony Villanueva, Isaiah Otero, John Danley and Mark Pienciak.
Sunnybrae defeated the Falls, Pennsylvania, Little League team in preparation for the Make-A-Wish Foundation tournament in Monroe. The tournament was held to support its namesake, and Mattonelli called it “one of the best-run tournaments we’ve attended, with immaculate fields, excellent organization, and strong competition throughout.”
Sunnybrae played up to the level of the tournament, winning four straight games to capture the 9-A title.
It was not easy, however, as the winners’ bracket final required a memorable comeback.
With Sunnybrae trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth with two outs and nobody on, Diodati had an 0-2 count before singling. Ferens ripped one back to the pitcher and reached on an error, and JJ Cavalier worked a 10-pitch walk. Cowell then slammed one into the right-center-field gap for a two-run, walk-off hit.
“It was a game that perfectly showcased this team’s resilience, determination, and belief in one another,” Mattonelli said. “Our roster is incredibly versatile. Several of our boys are capable of playing multiple positions, and they do so at a high level, allowing us to move players around without missing a beat.”
They put some good glove work on display as infielders Cavalier, Ammirata, Ferens, D’Andrea, Otero and Cowell flashed some leather.
“Their consistency, athleticism and ability to make big plays in key moments were instrumental to our success, and they played some exceptional baseball all summer long,” Mattonelli said. “Our secret weapon were our outfielders. Mattonelli, Diodati, Villanueva, Danley and Pienciak formed an exceptional defensive unit that consistently changed games with their play.”
That defense aided a strong, deep core of pitchers that Mattonelli playfully labeled “The Sunny Stable.” All but one player pitched in meaningful situations, “giving us the flexibility to compete in every game. Arm care is a very important part of our focus so we try to develop new pitchers throughout the year.”
The offense was solid from one through 12, with Diodati setting the tone at leadoff and Ferens, Cavalier and Cowell coming up with big hits in the second through fourth spots. The rest of the lineup came through with timely situational at-bats.
“We were getting hits, moving runners, driving in runs and putting the ball where it needed to be,” Mattonelli said. “Their ability to execute in key moments was a major reason for our offensive success all summer long.”
The manager was assisted by Eric Ammirata, Eric Woodrow and newcomer Mark “Gandhi” Pienciak, the former Hamilton West varsity head coach.
“I’m surrounded by an incredible group of coaches with a wealth of baseball knowledge, and I find myself learning from them all the time,” Mattonelli said. “Their experience, dedication and commitment to our players make them the best coaching staff I could ask for, and they truly make my job look easy.”
The 8s were coming off a season in which they won the district title before losing in the sectionals. Mattonelli said, “they are chomping at the bit to compete for a district title next year. They are starting to understand what their goals are as a team and what they want to accomplish from year to year.”
Teams still playing
As of July 22, the Nottingham 11s were playing in the state tournament, while the Nottingham 8s and 12s and Sunnybrae 10s were playing in Section 3 tournaments. A review of their seasons will appear in the September issue of The Post.
