West Hartford Travel B Baseball Wins Cal Ripken U12 District Championship

The Express, managed by Joe Ciccarello, carved their name in West Hartford history by becoming first team from the West Hartford Youth Baseball League to win the Cal Ripken U12 District Championship. Members of the team are: Brendan Begley, Michael Ciccarello, Ryan Cova, Ryan DeLutrie, Avi Ehrlich, Michael Giungi, Javi Jerez, Colby Jones, Alex Lim, Max Main, Kyle Milhomens, Jack Moore, Ryan Orlowski, Manager Joe Ciccarello, Coach Tony Cova, Coach Tom Moore and Scorekeeper Joe DeLutrie.

West Hartford Express 13, South Meriden 12 (June 29)
District Championship Series, Game 1 (best of 3)

The West Harford Express squared off against South Meriden in a best of 3 series in the Cal Ripken U12 District 2 Tournament at Habershon Field in S.Meriden, CT. The Express came out of the gate early, scoring 2 runs in the top of the 1st inning behind the hitting of Avi Ehrlich, who had an RBI double then came around to score the second run. South Meriden struck back quickly, tying the score at 2-2 after one inning of play. The Express didn’t waste any time of their own in pulling ahead in the top of the 2nd inning, as they sent 12 batters to the plate and scored 7 runs, chasing the South Meriden ace pitcher from the game. Highlights from the inning included RBI hits from Colby Jones, Ryan DeLutrie and Ryan Orlowski. The Express increased their lead to 10-2 in the top of the 3rd inning on an RBI single by Max Main. In the top of the 4thinning, Javi Jerez, Michael Ciccarello and Jack Moore each had hits and the Express led 13-4 after 3½ innings of play. 

South Meriden didn’t give up and roared back with 8 runs of their own to pull within 1 run, 13-12 after 4 innings of play. West Hartford was set down quietly in the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 5th inning, South Meriden had the tying run at 3B with 1 out. Orlowski struck out the South Meriden batter and retired the next batter on a groundout to end the inning with the Express holding a 13-12. The tying run reached base for South Meriden in the bottom of the 6th inning and advanced to 2B with no outs. The next batter singled to RF – right fielder Ryan Cova charged the ball and quickly threw to relay man 1B Moore who fired a strike to catcher Ehrlich to get the runner out on a close play at the plate.  South Meriden once again had the tying run on 2B. After a pop out to 2B, the leadoff hitter came to the plate with 2 outs (and Devyn “Chainsaw” McCarty on deck) – the runner on 2B attempted to steal 3B and was thrown out to end the game. 

The West Hartford Express led the best of 3 Championship series 1-0.

West Hartford Express 14, South Meriden 6 (June 30)
District Championship Series, Game 2 (best of 3)

The West Harford Express, leading the best of 3 Championship series 1-0 in the Cal Ripken U12 District 2 Tournament, faced off against South Meriden at Habershon Field in S .Meriden, CT. 

South Meriden jumped out to a 1-0 lead after a half inning of play on a HR by Devyn “Chainsaw” McCarty (his 6th vs. the Express in the tournament). West Hartford was not phased by being down early, as could be seen by the fire in their eyes, the chatter on the bench and the smiles on their faces throughout the inning, and they sent 14 batters to the plate. Michael Ciccarello got the Express on the board with an RBI single to LF, scoring leadoff hitter Ryan DeLutrie. Avi Ehrlich quickly singled (one of his 4 hits in the game). The Express batters then showed patience, compiling several walks before DeLutrie laced an RBI double to the gap in right CF. Ciccarello followed with his second RBI single of the inning. Ehrlich then had his second hit of the inning. Colby Jones followed with the fourth consecutive hit for the Express, an RBI single, to put the Express up 9-1 after 1 inning. South Meriden had the bases loaded in the 2nd inning with Chainsaw McCarty at the plate, but managed to score only 1 run. Starting pitcher Max Main struck out the last 2 batters of the inning. West Hartford led 9-2 after 2 innings. With a runner on 1B in the 3rd inning, RF Ryan Cova made a nice play by throwing the runner out on 2B on what appeared to be a hit for South Meriden. South Meriden added 3 runs in the inning to cut West Hartford’s lead to 9-5. 

West Hartford battled back in the bottom of the 3rd inning with consecutive hits by Avi Ehrlich, Colby Jones (RBI) and Max Main. Cova added an RBI sacrifice fly to CF and the Express scored 4 runs to increase the lead to 13-5. Brendan Begley relieved Main with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the top of the 4th inning and retired the batter on a ground out to SS. The leadoff hitter for South Meriden in the top of the 5th inning was Chainsaw McCarty, who was already 11-12 with 6 HR’s in the series – Begley struck him out on a high fastball. In the Bottom of the 5th inning the Express added another run, as Alex Lim picked up an RBI, and led 14-6 after 5 innings. Begley retired South Meriden in the top of the 6th inning, with DeLutrie making an outstanding diving catch in CF to end the game.

The team celebrated the championship in the field before receiving their District Championship medals in an awards ceremony that followed the game.