U-9 Baseball Places Second in Tournament

Playing in several different tournaments in different towns can be a bit chaotic. Well, at least the South Brunswick U-9 Black baseball team will have no problem getting to at least one of its upcoming tournaments.

"We're starting the South Brunswick Summer Classic on July 8," South Brunswick manager Hip Crespo noted. "That will be the last tournament of the summer for us."

South Brunswick is also still active in the East Brunswick Tournament. It was scheduled to play Bridgewater on July 7. If South Brunswick wins that game, it will advance to the championship game on July 9.

South Brunswick completed play in two tournaments this past week, including a second-place finish in the Hopewell Tournament.

South Brunswick opened the tournament with wins over Hopewell, Quakertown and Harleywille. Harleyville was a tough, 7-5 win. The other two victories came via the 10-run mercy rule.

South Brunswick played Hopewell again in the championship game on July 4. Despite winning 15-4 the first time the two teams played, South Brunswick was defeated, 7-3.

"It was disappointing," Crespo said. "The players had certain expectations. "We brought our 'A' game for the first three games. We tried as hard as we could in the championship, but we just didn't have our 'A' game."

The members of the team are Nick Nosal (pitcher, catcher and outfielder), Brendan Kane (pitcher, catcher, second base, shortstop and outfield), Travis Bush (pitcher, outfield and third base), Nick Campigotto (outfield, pitcher and second base), Matt Harrison (pitcher, outfield and third base), TJ Scarpa (pitcher, catcher, first base and outfield), Anthony Ramos (pitcher, catcher, shortstop and outfield), Reese Jenne (pitcher, outfield, shortstop and third), Eytan Lugassy (outfield, first base and pitcher), Giovanni DeLuca (pitcher, catcher, first base and outfield) and Trevor Crespo (outfield, second base and pitcher).

South Brunswick was defeated in both of its games in the Montgomery Tournament and was eliminated from that event. It was defeated by Monroe, 10-7, on July 4, and Flemington, 15-10, on July 5.

"I think the kids' legs were tired for these games," Crespo said.

Well, at least they gave it their best effort. Another accomplishment was just making it to the right games. South Brunswick had doubleheaders on July 2 and 4. On July 4, the games were in different tournaments and different towns.

"With all of these tournaments, I have to look at my schedule every minute to make sure I'm going to the right place," Crespo said. "That's why I keep my calendar right in front of me. I have to know where I'm heading today (laughs)."