Atlantic Shore Wins Babe Ruth World Series
The Atlantic Shore 13U baseball team did something it has never done before.
Won the Babe Ruth World Series.
The Mid-Atlantic champions defeated the New England champion from Norwalk, CT 10-7 in Jamestown, NY to capture the title on Saturday.
In the top of the first, ASHORE got things started early with a huge 3-run triple from Will Hickman to make it 3-0.
Matt Weiss and New England responded quickly in the bottom of the first as he hit a 2-run double and Matt Vahle hit an RBI single of his own to tie the score at 3-3.
In the top of the second, ASHORE's John Franchini hit an RBI single to retake the lead, making it 4-3. In the bottom of the 2nd, New England responded scoring a run on a throwing error and Matt Vahle hit a 2-run triple to make it 6-4 New England.
Mid-Atlantic didn’t give up as in the top of the third Colin Thompson and Franchini each hit RBI singles and Bernie Hargadon hit an RBI single of his own to give the Mid-Atlantic champs a 7-6 lead.
In the bottom of the fouth, Colin Thompson, in relief of starter Will Hickelman, shut the New England offense down again to keep it 7-6.
In the top of the fifth, Johnny Franchini laid down a perfect squeeze bunt and Bernie Hargadon hit a 2-run double to give ASHORE a 10-6 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, a run came home for New England on a throwing error to make it 10-7, but Thompson was able end the threat, getting a huge strikeout to get out of a bases loaded jam to keep it 10-7.
Ryan Baldwin entered in on the mound, getting two popups and a strikeout to end a New England threat and then retired the side for the Mid-Atlantic champs in the bottom of the seventh to seal a 2021 13-Year Old Babe Ruth World Championship for ASHORE.
Atlantic Shore which is made up of kids from Brigantine, Ventnor, Linwood, Northfield, Somers Point, Upper Twp and Ocean City won at the 13U level for the first time in the programs history.
For Atlantic Shore, Colin Thompson was named the tournament's most outstanding player and made the All-tournament team along with pitcher Aidan Ralph. Matt Wagner was named to the all-defensive team.