Atlantic Shore Wins Babe Ruth World Series

A local baseball team is the best in the country!

The Atlantic Shore Babe Ruth 14-year old baseball team defeated Tri-Valley, CA 8-7 on Saturday to capture the program's first ever World Series title, finishing the summer a perfect 21-0.

Cole Vanderslice knocked in the winning run to win the game, he also earned the win on the mound.

After falling behind 1-0,  ASHORE took a 6-1 lead and led 7-4 entering the top of the seventh, but Tri-Valley rallied to tie the game at 7-7 - that's when Vanderslice, who was the starting pitcher, re-entered the game on the mound in relief of Brandon Lashley. After getting the final out of the inning, a line drive that Frank Curtin of Ventnor snagged, he provided the big hit in the bottom of the seventh.

Nick Athoi was hit by a pitch to lead of the final inning, he then stole second and scored on Vanderslice's single through the left side to give Atlantic Shore the programs first ever World Series championship.

It's the third time an Atlantic Shore team has been to the World Series, going in 2001 with the 13-under team and again in 2013 with their 15-under team.  Overall the program now has six state titles, three regional champions and now a World Series champion.

This year's group won a state championship as 13-year old last season, but fell two games short of making the World Series, dropping a 5-3 game to eventual champ, Broomall-Newtown, PA.

This year's the team added a few key pieces and won the district tournament in Millville, then became state champs by winning the East Windsor hosted tourney and became Mid-Atlantic regional champion in Nottingham, followed by the World Series in Arkansas.

A ton of travel, a ton of memories and a ton of hard work.

(Listen to coach Dennis Foreman introduce the ASHORE players)

The World Series Champs are Nick Abrams and Sleighter Suriel of Atlantic City; Hunter Rich of Linwood; Jason Hoopes, Nick Atohi, Devin Sharkey, Joe Bonczek, Kyle Goodman and Anthony Cappuccio of Northfield;  Cole Vanderslice and Solomon Griffith of Ocean City; Brandon Lashley and Dom Montelone of Upper Township; and Frank Curtin of Ventnor. Coaches: Dave and Lee Geiger and Dennis Foreman

Today (Sunday, Aug 23rd) the Atlantic Shore 14-year old Babe Ruth team will have a 'Welcome home World Series Champions parade' Sunday.

The parade is open for the public to attend and support these boys who have been working since April for this World Series title. The route will begin at the Burton Avenue Fire Department in Northfield (Northfield Fire No. 2, 1475 Burton Avenue) beginning at approximately 3pm. From there, you can see the team heading down Mill Road to Shore Road through Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point to Fehrle Field on the corner of First Street & Rhode Island Avenue in Somers Point.

Area Fire Department's and Police Departments have graciously volunteered to escort the boys during the parade!

Help make this a memorable day for the World Champs and a great day for our local communities. Line up on Shore Road to see the boys come home and get a glimpse of the World Series Trophy!!!!

Please share this with everyone you know and help get Shore Road packed with people!