Mills Bakery

This year’s 9 year old team began their all star season competing in a very competitive Wayne PAL tournament. The boys finished with a 3-2 record making it to the semi-finals and only losing by 1 run in a game that was filled with poor umpiring calls. In any case, all of the boys played great and should be proud of their performance, especially considering that Wood-Ridge was the smallest town in the tournament. The team opened up against North Bergen rallying for 12 hits to win 10-1. Nicky La Testa (2 hits, 3 runs), James Potchoiba (3 hits, 1 run, 4 rbi), Anthony Montufar (2 hits) and Alex Prell (2 hits, 1 run) lead the offensive attack. On the mound, Alex Prell pitched 3 innings allowing only 1 hit on 3 strike outs and Nicky La Testa pitched 3 innings allowing only 1 hit on 5 strike outs. Defensively, John Janeczko and James Potchoiba made some great unassisted plays with James also throwing out a runner at 3rd base from centerfield. From the catcher’s position, Nicky La Testa paired up with Joe Azzolini and Anthony Montufar to throw out two attempted stealing base runners on 2nd and 3rd. The boys weren’t as fortunate in their second game, losing on a very hot July 4th to a strong Montville team 16-0. The only offensive production came from Joe Azzolini, Alex Prell, and Patrick Dimase who each had a hit. Michael Beckerman and Dan Sartori played a very good defensive game, but the Montville bats were too much to handle. The third game which was scheduled against Elmwood Park was won by forfeit, since Elmwood Park never showed up to play the game. The best game of the tournament was the fourth game against Millburn which Wood-Ridge won 7-5. In a very good defensive game, Wood-Ridge went ahead 2-0 in the 3rd inning on a 2 run double by Anthony Montufar. Defensively, Chris Menge and Michael Beckerman were solid in the field. Alex Prell pitched an excellent game striking out 11 and only giving up 5 hits, 3 of which came in the 5th inning when Millburn scored 5 runs to take the lead 5-2. Wood-Ridge came back in the bottom of the 5th scoring 5 runs of their own when a bases loaded walk scored Eric Puga, a sacrifice fly by Anthony Montufar scored Joe Azzolini, a 2 run double by Thomas Santoro scored Nicky La Testa and James Potchoiba, and a double by Michael Beckerman scored Thomas Santoro. Wood-Ridge lost a heartbreaker to Wyckoff 13-12 in the semi-final game. Wood-Ridge had a 12-7 lead in the 5th inning and was 1 out away from getting out of the inning when the home plate umpire did not call a Wyckoff runner out for running into our 1st baseman John Janeczko and interfering with him while he was in the process of catching a routine fly ball. After our coaches and fans exploded with the bad call, our boys lost the momentum they had and gave up 6 runs before the inning was over. Although it was a tough loss, we had some great individual efforts with Thomas Santoro going 3 for 4 with 6 rbi, Nicky La Testa going 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored, and Anthony Montufar going 1 for 4 with 2 rbi. John Janeczko, Patrick Dimase, and Eric Puga each got on base with a hit as well. All of the coaches are proud of the effort that everyone on the team gave throughout the tournament. The 9 year old team now will move on to defend the championship title of last year’s 9 year old team in the Lodi All-Star Tournament.