Game Recaps:  Articles written by Don Trifari..

Game 37: Patriots (Jackson Finals) 2-9
Montville loses in the final game as the Patriots bats were hot early.  The Patriots scored 4 runs in the first inning with 2 doubles and a homerun to beat Montville in their final game of the season.

Game 36: Eagles (Jackson Semi Finals) 10-4
Joey pitched well and Montville wins to advance to the final game.  Only one more ride to Jackson left.   

Game 35: Caldwell (Suburban Playoffs) 15-1
Caldwell Gives Montville the Title.  Caldwell made 6 errors and walked 11 Montville batters to loose the Suburban Title for the 4th consecutive year.  Montville scored 15 runs on only 5 hits to easily take the title in only 4 innings..Box Score

Game 34: Lincoln Park (Suburban Playoffs) 10-7
Joey hits a BOMB.  After getting a free pass to the second round, courtesy of Mike Franey, the "Stangs" face off against Lincoln Park again, the only team they lost to in the Suburban league this year.  Montville was having a tough time scoring this season against Lincoln Park's ace pitcher Spano.  However Sam Cerbo connected in the second with Montville's first hit, a homer over the right field fence.  Montville led 1-0.  Ryan Gajdos was pitching well for Montville, holding Lincoln Park to only one unearned run thru 3 innings.  In the top of the third with the score 1-1, Donnie Trifari singled up the middle, followed by Jason Schwartz and Joey Bellini walking to load the bases.  Michael hit into a fielder's choice and after a bazar play at the plate- Montville took a 3-1 lead.  Montville's big inning came in the 4th.  Nick Gaeta led off with a walk, followed by Ryan getting hit with a pitch.  Eric Berman singled in Nicky and Jason walked to load the bases.  With 2 outs and nowhere to put Joey Bellini,  Joey blasted a 3-1 pitch to the infield on Muni2.  The farthest shot at the Muni's ever.  Montville scored one more in the 5th when Jimmy DeZao doubled to score Sam.  After a few walks in the 6th Lee Gross came in to strike out the last batter and end the game.  Montville only had 6 hits but they were all timely and Montville advances to the finals on Friday night. Box Score

Game 33: Jackson Tournament: Thundercats 19-7
Respect in South Jersey.  2-0 and still needing a win.  Montville can lose this game and finish 2-1 and still loose the bracket.  So the "Stangs" make another shore trip.  They must be getting used to the ride because they ripped the cover off the ball tonight.  18 hits with 19 runs off some very hard throwing Thundercat pitchers.  Probably the biggest hit of the game was with 2 outs in the second inning and bases loaded.  Joseph Ehntholt ripped a single down the right field line scoring 2.  Michael Todisco went 3 for 3 with a walk and Nicky Gaeta and Joseph Ehntholt both had 3 RBI's.  Michael, Jimmy DeZao and Nicky each had 3 hits and Eric Berman was 2 for 2 with a walk.  Michael and Sammy Cerbo controlled the game on the mound for Montville. Box Score

Game 32: Jackson Tournament: Middletown 3-2
A real game this time.  Joey Bellini pitches the whole game for Montville giving up only 2 runs ( 1 earned ) while striking out 11 batters.  Montville scored two in the first inning when Donnie reached on by error and scored on Jason Schwartz's double.  Jason scored on a ground ball by Joey Bellini.  Montville didn't score again till the bottom of the 6th with the score tied 2-2.  Donnie led off with a single and then scored on another double by Jason to end the game with a 3-2 victory.  Box Score

Game 31: Jackson Tournament: Freehold 12-1
A long way to go for 4 innings.  The traffic on the Turnpike was backed up for miles.  Coach Cerbo was a little worried when he had only 8 players with about 20 minutes to go. But 10 arrived before the game started.  Sam Cerbo had 3 hits and Michael Todisco had 2.  Freehold made lots of errors and Montville won easily 12-1 in about 45 minutes.  Box Score

Game 30: Glenridge 26-3
19 runs in the first inning with only two outs.  Walk,Hit,E,E,Hit,Hit,HBP,Walk,Walk,Out, Hit,Hit,HR,Hit,Hit,Hit,HBP,Out,E,E,E,Hit, = Mercy Rule.  Jason Schwartz was 4 for 4. Joey Bellini homered..  No the Palm Pilot did not burn out.  see Box Score 

Game 29: North Caldwell 9-2
Montville was a little flat and a little tired but rallied behind Michael Todisco's 3 run blast to score 9 runs and beat North Caldwell.  Ryan Gajdos singled in the first run in the 2nd inning after Sam Cerbo and Nick Gaeta singled.  In the 4th after Michael singled, Nick walked Ryan hit a sac fly to score the teams second run.  Donnie blooped one over the third baseman's head for a 2 run double and in the 5th Mike hit the 3 run homer to put the game out of reach.  Box Score (?? needs to be reviewed)

Game 28: Lincoln Park 12-2
Montville avenges it's only Surburban League loss by beating Lincoln Park 12-2.  Having lost 0-1 (on the day before the Cooperstown trip) Montville was anxious to play them again.  Things were tight for the first three innings as Lincoln Park's starter Spano pitched well.  Montville managed to score in the first inning when Donnie Trifari led off with a double, moved to third on a Jason Schwartz single and then scored on a first and third play.  Spano shut down the rest of the Montville lineup for the next two innings with Jimmy DeZao being the only other baserunner drawing a walk.  Michael Todisco also pitched well for Montville, striking out 7 batters however Spano can also hit and touched Michael for a 2 run homer off the flag pole to give Lincoln Park a 1-2 lead after 3 innings.   In the forth Lincoln Park had to replace Spano and then the Montville bats came to life.  Donnie led off with another double followed by two walks, a Michael Todisco 2 rbi single, Sam Cerbo double, Jimmy D single, Ryan Gajdos double and three more walks.  After 4 innings Montville lead 7-0.  Sam Cerbo relieved Michael and pitched great for two innings giving up no hits and striking out 3. Montville scored 5 more in the 5th when Joey Bellini singled, Michael walked, Sam doubled again, Jimmy got laced with a pitch, Nick Gaeta doubled and Ryan Gajdos singled.  The game ended when some lightning struck and Montville won 12-2.  This was the day of the 11yr olds as Donnie, Sam and Ryan each had two hits with 5 doubles and a single between them.  Must have been the basketball camp the three attended earlier in the day which was supposed to tire them out. Box Score

Game 27: Glenridge 18-1
Joey Homers on the roof of the adjacent house in center field.  Jason hits a grand slam. Joey and Jimmy DeZao get 3 hits. Not much else to say about this one. Box Score

Game 26 East Hanover 14-7
No sports writer at this game.  Box Score

PUPPY DELAY  (sorry)

Game 25: Roseland 18-5
Pad Your Stats Day .  Balls were dropping all over the park today as Montville won easily over Roseland.  Nick Gaeta had a great game.  First pitching the first two innings with 5 strikeouts and going a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with 2 RBI's.  Eric Berman continued his 6 game hitting streak with two singles and Jason Schwartz doubled off the fence for Montville's only extra base hit of the game.  As if the game wasn't long enough there was a 20 minute lightning delay.  Montville's new show up and play attitude (loose the pre game huddle) seems to be working well as Montville combined for 17 hits today and 12 hits in yesterday's thriller.  Act like a baseball team, play like a baseball team, win like a baseball team. see Box Score

Game 24: Caldwell 10-6
Snake Bit in Montville .  Today was choose your own lineup day at the ball park as the Montville batter's drew numbers to see where they will bat.  After averaging only 3 hits per game over the weekend coach Cerbo was looking to shake things up a bit.  Montville took an early lead in the second inning as Joey Bellini lead off with a double, followed by an infield hit by Donnie Trifari that moved Joey to third.  Montville didn't get another hit but Joey was able to steal home (sort of) and score the first run.  The Caldwell bats were on fire in the bottom of the 2nd when they blasted 6 hits, a walk, hit by pitch and error to take a 6-1 lead.  It could have been worse if not for Sammy Cerbo throwing one runner out at the plate and then making a sliding catch in center to stop the bleeding.  Montville was able to score one run in the third when Joseph Ehntholt singled in Eric Berman.  They scored another in the 4th when Donnie lead off with a single and scored on Sammy's infield hit with some good baserunning.  Picked up another in the 4th when Eric Berman lead off with a single and scored on some nice hitting by Michael Todisco who battled with two outs and singled up the middle.  In the meanwhile Joseph Ehntholt was finally able to quite the Caldwell bats after getting out of a bases loaded no out, major league jam in the 3rd.  Caldwell went down quietly in the 4th and Lee Gross made a running catch near the fence in center to end the 5th.  Now on to the top of the 6th with Montville trailing 6-4 and Donnie leading off.  Things start off great as Donnie battles for a walk and Jason Schwartz singles with a 3-2 count off the third baseman's glove.  Sammy Cerbo follows with a rip to center that was too hard to score Donnie.  Things are looking good as Lee Gross comes to bat with the bases loaded and no outs, tying run on second.  Lee singles to center and the center fielder throws the ball over the backstop and both Donnie and Jason score to tie the game.  After a few outs and an Eric Berman walk the stage is set for Jimmy DeZao.  Bases loaded, tie score with two outs.  On the first pitch Jimmy belts a grand slam over the center field fence.  Donnie Trifari came in to pitch in the bottom of the 6th and struck out the first batter and then Michael and Ryan did the rest, charging two slow grounders and making the out at first..  Montville beats Caldwell again 10-6 in another exciting baseball game.  In an interview after the game with slugger Jimmy DeZao I asked.  "Jimmy,  what were you thinking about when you came to bat with bases loaded in the 6th,  were you thinking about a homerun? "  Jimmy responded " I don't think about anything,  I just look at the pitcher.  When I think of hitting a homerun I ground out." see Box Score

Game 23: Wyckoff (MIT)
Joey Bellini pitches well for 4 innings but it's not enough because Montville just couldn't hit the Wyckoff pitchers.  Bad enough they were throwing heat and curveballs they were also getting strikes called that were just to far off the plate to hit.  The only bright spot was Jimmy DeZao going 2-3 with a homerun.  Jimmy had Montville's only 2 hits and although Wyckoff only had 3 hits, two of them were 2 run homeruns. see Box Score

Game 22: Wyckoff (MIT)
After loosing a heart breaker Montville tries to regroup and beat a tough Wyckoff team to win the MIT.  Montville is in trouble as Michael Todisco pitched earlier against Kinnelon and Joey Bellini is trying to recover from strep throat.  Montville just could not get it done as Wyckoff rallied for 10 hits including a 3 run homer to beat Montville 10-7 and force a 3rd and final game on Sunday for the MIT title.see Box Score

Game 21: Kinnelon (Districts)
Montville took the field Saturday afternoon to try to tie the district series and force a 3rd game.  Kinnelon had their ace lefty pitcher Berman on the hill again.  Montville got started right away when Donnie Trifari led off with a single.  Berman struckout the next two batters and then Michael Todisco singled to right allowing Donnie to go to third.  Sam Cerbo then hit a ball that looked like it might make it up the middle,  however Kinnelon's shortstop scooped it and thru Sam out at first.  Montville was able to get another runner to second in the third inning when Jason Schwartz walked and stole second, but again they couldn't score.  Michael Todisco took the mound with only 2 days rest and struck out two in the first to shut Kinnelon down.  However Kinnelon struck for 3 runs in the second on 5 singles and a walk and might have had even more if Sam didn't throw out a runner at the plate.  Joseph Ehntholt pitched the next three innings and held Kinnelon scoreless.  Some bad baserunning killed a Kinnelon rally in the fifth and at the top of the 6 Montville was still in the game trailing 3-0.  Donnie led off with a hard ground ball right to the shortstop which hit something and bounced thru for a hit.  Jay Schwartz singled and then Joey Bellini singled up the middle, scoring Donnie and suddenly Montville showed signs of life.  No outs, 2nd and 3rd with the tying run at second.  Berman was still pitching for Kinnelon and already threw about 75 pitches.  This kid has some stamina because just when it look like he was getting tired he stepped it up a few notches and struckout the next 3 Montville batters to end the game.  Montville's first year out of the state finals.  Looks like we'll be playing in Jackson instead.see Box Score

Game 20: Totowa
Ryan-Sam-Joseph-Nick & Lee combine to throw a "No Hit Shutout" against Totowa.  Back to back homeruns by Michael Todisco and Sam Cerbo give Montville a 3-0 edge thru 4 innings.  Mike's was a monster bomb to deep center (about 270+feet).  Donnie Trifari made a nice diving catch in the first inning and Sam made a sliding catch in center in the last inning to preserve the no hitter.  The Montville bats exploded in the 5th inning when they scored 8 runs on 5 hits.  Joey Bellini was out with strep throat and come to think of it,  was there an "Are You Ready" cheer before the game?  In any case Montville was ready and hopefully will be ready to battle Kinnelon tomorrow in their district rematch. Go "Stangs".  see Box Score

Game 19: Wyckoff (MIT)
Montville Gets a Day Off.  Michael Todisco and Joey Bellini combine to pitch a one hit gem against the very offensive (in more ways than one) Wyckoff team.   Wyckoff has put up some impressive numbers in the MIT thus far but not tonight.  After an hour rain delay and some incredible field maintance by just about the entire Montville Baseball Organization (ok, so I didn't help) the field was finally ready for play at 9:00. Montville lost the coin toss and bats first.  Donnie Trifari leads off with a single to the right center gap.  Steals second and then Jason Schwarts hit a ball that looked like an instance replay of Donnie's shot.  However Donnie got frozen at second not knowing if the ball was caught and Joey Bellini comes to bat with runners at first and second and no outs.  Joey singles and all runners advance.  With one out Sammy Cerbo hits a fielder's choice to short, scoring Donnie and the "Stangs" go up one zip.  Michael Todisco gets the start on the hill for Montville and breezes thru the Wyckoff lineup, striking out 2 in the first inning and getting some great defense by Lee Gross at short and Donnie in right field.  Montville threatened to score again in the third when Joseph Ehntholt lead off with a rip up the middle, followed by an infield hit by Donnie.  First and second, no outs.  Jason Schwartz hit a fly ball in the right center gap that the centerfielder makes a running backhanded grab and Joseph tags from second to third.  The Wyckoff coaches cry that Joseph left early even though they had  no play on the runner.  However it was a convincing whine and Joseph was called out by the field umpire.  Everyone at the park said it was a bad call but that's the way it goes.  The next batter Joey Bellini gets another single but Montville does not score.  In the 4th inning with two outs coach Cerbo brings in Joey Bellini to pitch to Wyckoff's forth batter.  Turns out to be a great move as Joey blows him away with some serious heat.  After Wyckoff's first single between first and second in the top of the 5th Joey proceeded to mow down 4 of the next 8 to preserve the Montville victory.  See what a little rest can do.  Although Montville only scored one run they had 8 hits off the highly regarded Wyckoff aces.  What a great baseball game.  see Box Score

Game 18: North Caldwell
Jimmy DeZao rips two home runs (one was a grand slam) to lift Montville past North Caldwell 24-5.  Dubbed the longest game ever, the game was called due to darkness in the middle of the 6th inning after Montville scored 9 runs. Joey Bellini also homered and Michael Todisco and Sammy Cerbo both had three hits. see Box Score

Game 17: Wycoff B (MIT)
Joey Bellini and Eric Berman combine on a two hit shutout against the Wycoff B team and advanced to face the Big Wayne PAL team. see Box Score

Game 16: Blairstown (Districts)
Joseph Ehntholt and Nick Gaeta combine for a no hitter as Montville wins easily 12-0 in 5 innings.  Ryan Gajdos had 3 hits and Michael, Joseph and Jimmy had 2 RBI's each. see Box Score

Game 15: Kinnelon (Districts)
Two years ago these two teams battled for the State title.  Montville won and advanced to the finals. Today again it was another battle.  0-0 tie thru 5 innings.  Michael Todisco pitched for Montville and fought off three Kinnelon scoring threats.  Kinnelon's hard throwing lefty BERMAN thru heat for 6 full innings.  Striking out 10 Montville batters and throwing 90 pitches.  Montville did have several chances to score.  In the Second Michael Todisco lead off with a double but the next three batters struck out.  In the third Donnie Trifari singled followed by a Lee Gross blooper that fell in.  First and second, one out but Montville could not score.  In the 5th with two outs Donnie singled again and Lee hit what looked to be an easy ground ball to second.  Donnie ran in front of the fielder and jumped over the ball.  The second baseman bobbled and then thru errand to first allowing Donnie to go to third.  But Montville failed to score again.  Joey Bellini relieved Michael Todisco on the mound but walked the first two batters in the 6th inning and Donnie Trifari came in releif.  But after a come backer moved the runner two third (almost a double play), then next batter hit a sac fly followed by a single to score the two walked batters and give Kinnelon a 2-0 lead.  Montville threatened in the bottom of the 6th when Sam and Jimmy singled with two outs. But again they couldn't score and are sent to the losers bracket to play Blairstown on Sunday at 1:00pm.  Box Score

Game 14: Clifton (MIT)
Ryan Gajdos pitched a near perfect game thru  4 innings as Clifton managed to score only one run when the leadoff batter in the second inning reached on error.  Ryan had 5 strikeouts and thru an incredible 30 strikes and only 10 balls. Montville was a little quite at first but erupted for 12 runs in the third inning.  Donnie reached on error, Jason walked, Joey smashed one off the pitcher's foot, Michael walked, Sam doubled, Jimmy D sac fly, Nick walked, Ryan got hit by a pitch, Joseph singled, Donnie singled, Jason walked again, Joey singled again, Michael Todisco hit a three run homer and Sam singled.  Eric Berman came in to pitch the 5th and the last batter of the game got Clifton's only hit. Box Score

Game 13: Cedar Grove
The headline of this game should be Montville Leaves Bats in Oneonta because the "Stangs" only managed 3 hits in 6 innings.  However they luckly put two together after Jimmy DeZao walked in the second. Nick ripped a single to right scoring Jimmy.  Jimmy D was on the hill in this game and pitched great for 3 innings striking out two batters.  Some great defense early on also helped as Michael Todisco-Jason-Joey killed an early Cedar Grove rally with  a double play.  Lee Gross pitched the final three and also struck out 2 to preserve the 1-0 shutout.  Try to get some rest boys because the big games start tomorrow.  And remember to bring your bats next time.  Box Score

Oneonta NY (Cooperstown Area Tournament)

"Stangs" Check In Montville 12 Olds Check into the College of Oneonta Dorms on June 23rd
Small Rooms - No Problem Although the accommodations were cramped the kids didn't mind getting closer with their teammates for their 6 day stay
Round Robin Games Game 1 vs Teaneck NJ 5-1 Michael Todisco pitches a one run, three hit game thru 5 innings.  Sam Cerbo starts things off for Montville with a double in the 2nd inning and scores on a Jim DeZao fielder's choice to put Montville on top.  Lee Gross started the 3rd with a lead off single, stole second, was sacrificed over to 3rd by Joseph Ehntholt and scored on a wild pitch. Jason Schwartz, Joey Bellini and Sam Cerbo singled to make the score 4-0. In the 5th Jason and Michael both doubled to score another and Montville was on their way to winning their first Cooperstown Tournament game 5-1.  Sam Cerbo was a perfect 3-3.  see Box Score	The Fields and Views of the Mountains are Spectacular
Michael is Pitcher Perfect in the Opening Game	Donnie grabs the first Tournament Out
Game 2 vs Ohio AAO 11-3 Eric Berman and Nick Gaeta combine to pitch a 4 hitter against the Ohio Optimists.  Montville combines for 11 hits including a perfect 2-2 with a walk for Lee Gross.  Donnie Trifari and Lee Gross both had two RBIs and Montville combines for 9 runs in the first inning and beats Ohio AAO easily 11-3. Nick Gaeta also had 2 hits and scored 2 runs.  Wow, first day out and the "Stangs" are 2-0. see  Box Score
Game 3 vs Maryland Bulldogs 8-1 Ryan Gajdos took the hill and struck out 4 in 3.3 innings of work.  Donnie Trifari came in relief with the bases loaded in the 4th and held the Bulldogs to just one run for the next 2 innings.  Donnie and Jason both had 2 RBIs and Montville combined for only 6 hits but got the job done.  Great start 3-0 record but look out for Florida see  Box Score	Game 4 vs Florida Stingers  3-11 Montville came out a little tentative against the hyped up Stingers and quickly found themselves trailing 6-1 after 2 innings.  Joey Bellini was pitching and for the first time faced a few boys (or men?) bigger than himself.  Lee Gross relieved Joey in the 4th and started to quiet the Stinger's bats.  The Stingers plated 11 runs on only 8 hits with only 5 runs being earned.  Montville scored only 3 on 4 hits but faced some serious heat for 4 innings.  Oh well, 3 out 4 ain't bad. see  Box Score
Game 5 vs Georgia Reds 4-4 tie Sammy Cerbo gets his first start for the "Stangs" and although he had some walks in the first 2 innings, he bailed himself out with two wild pitch outs at home to hold the Reds to just 2 runs in 3 innings.  Nicky Gaeta got the assist both times flipping the ball to Sammy covering home.  Offensively it looked like Montville had finally gotten some much needed rest as they stormed out of the box in the first.  Donnie Trifari lead off with a walk, followed by a double by Jason Schwartz (who was finally feeling a little better).  Then another double by Joey Bellini.  Montville scored two but some bad baserunning caught two of our guys off the base killing a possible big inning. Montville scored another in the 3rd when Joey Bellini singled, followed by a Sam Cerbo single and a Jimmy DeZao Single.  Then Nicky Gaeta walked to score Joey.  After the Reds tied the game in the 4th Montville came back in the 5th when Joey Bellini got on by error.  The next batter struck out but the catcher dropped the ball and the batter took off for first.  Even though Joey was on first and stole on the passed ball the Reds tried to throw the batter out on first and threw the ball into right field so Joey went to third.  He scored on Jimmy DeZao's single giving Montville a 5-4 lead.  Ryan Gajdos made two great plays at third to hold the lead but the Reds managed to tie the game with a sac in the last inning.  see Box Score	Game 6 vs Georgia Reds 5-8 The Big Game.  Winner advances into the winners bracket and is guaranteed 1-4th place. Looser goes into a consolation bracket and at best can finish 5th.  Montville has Michael Todisco starting who pitched great the first game against Teaneck.  The Reds are starting their ace Ammons.  The Reds get two big runs in the first inning with two outs and the Red's fans start their annoying heckling while Montville comes to bat.  Montville goes down 1.2.3 and things start looking real bad as the leadoff Red hits a solo homerun to start the 2nd.  After three more hits in a row Ryan Gajdos comes in to pitch and gets the next 3 Reds out in order.  However the Reds lead 5-0.  Mike Todisco leads off with a single and steals second but Sam Cerbo lines out to right and Jim DeZao lines into a double play to end the inning.  Ryan pitched well for the remainder of the game allowing only 3 additional runs.  Montville finally rallied in the 4th when Jason Schwartz lead off with a single followed by a Joey Bellini Homer.  Michael Todisco then doubled and the Montville bench and fans finally came to life.  The Reds then made two bad errors in the field and Montville scored two more runs.  Now back in the game 8-4 through the 4th.  The Reds did not score in the top of the 5th and Montville blew a big opportunity by going down 1.2.3.  Montville rallied again in the 6th when Jason, Sam and Jimmy DeZao singled scoring one and bringing the tying run to the plate.  However it just wasn't their day as the next batter grounded out hard to first to end the game.  Montville lost 8-5  see Box Score
Game 7 vs Ohio AAO 10-7 see Box Score	Game 8 vs Teaneck  5-3  Battle for NJ.  Teaneck started off strong scoring a run in the 1st off starter Joey Bellini. But Joey answered back with a solo Homer in the bottom of the 1st to tie the score.  Teaneck scored another in the third when a leadoff error eventually scored on a balk.  Montville was quiet thru the next 4 innings with some bad baserunning mistakes and found themselves trailing 3-1 in the 5th. With one out  Montville started their rally.  Jimmy DeZao got on by an error, Nick Gaeta walked, then Ryan advanced the two runners to 2nd & 3rd with two outs.  Donnie Trifari battled for a 3&2 walk.  Bases loaded, 2 outs and Montville trailing by 2 with Joseph Ehntholt up.  The first pitch is wild and Jimmy steals home.  Then Joseph hits a hard ground ball single off the first baseman's glove to tie the game.  Lee Gross walks with a 3-2 count to load the bases again.  Jason Schwartz also walks on a 3-2 count to put Montville ahead and Joey Bellini bangs one off the third baseman's glove to score another.  With a 5-3 lead and Donnie Trifari pitching his 3rd inning, Teaneck lines into a game ending double play and Montville advances to the final 9th game. see Box Score
Game 9 vs Maryland Bulldogs 5-4  see Box Score	TripRecap: Montville finished with an impressive 6-2-1 record overall.   Facing teams from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio and New Jersey.  Special thanks to the coaches for watching all the kids for 6 days, to Mark Todisco for researching and setting up the entire trip and to all the families for supporting the kids and treating them to meals, ice cream, souvenirs and gifts.  This was a very special week for the players, coaches and their families.  Thanks to all for participating. Cooperstown Tournament Batting/Pitching  Leaders (Top 3)

Game 3: Lincoln Park
NO Chocolate.  Montville came up empty and Lincoln Park came up with a big home run in the bottom of the 7th to beat Montville 1-0.  Montville was missing Jason (white chocolate) Schwartz was only able to come up with 4 hits in 7 innings.  Montville stranded runners on third in both the 6th and 7th inning.  Eric Berman struck out one and Ryan Gajdos struck out 4 in a loosing pitching effort. Oh well, it's off to Cooperstown with a 2-1 record.  Box Score

Game 2:Caldwell  Box Score
As always Caldwell came to Montville ready to play.  Caldwell started the game off with back to back singles.  But Joseph Ehntholt kicked it up a few notches and struck out the next three Caldwell batters to end inning.  Montville couldn't get anything going in the bottom of the first after Jason and Joey Bellini both got plunked in the head by Caldwell's hard throwing VanderMay.  VanderMay stymied Montville thru 3 innings until Nick Gaeta finally got Montville's first hit in the 4th.  Caldwell scored in the 3rd on a sac fly and the score remained 1-0 till the 5th.  Donnie Trifari relieved Joseph in the 4th and pitched well striking out 4 and allowing no hits or runs.  In the bottom of the 5th Lee Gross lead off with a walk.  Joseph Ehntholt sacrificed him over and Lee on a smart baserunning play made it all the way to 3rd on the bunt.  Donnie battled for a walk and Jason Schwartz hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game.  Then Joey Bellini hit Montville's second hit of the game, a 2 run blast over the center field fence.  Montville held on to win 3-1.  

Game 1: East Hanover  Box Score
The Montville U12's were all decked out in their awesome new uniforms to start the 2001 summer travel season.  Mr. Todisco and Mr. Bellini treated the players with "Stangs" duffle bags for the big Cooperstown trip.  Mr. Ehntholt also treated the team with sweat outfits and Mr. Cerbo supplied the gold undershirts.  Let's hope these guy play as good as they look.  Nana was so busy passing out homemade candies that we were able to start the game without any singing.    Starting on the mound was Nick Gaeta who quickly shut down East Hanover by striking out the last two batters in the first inning.  Donnie Trifari started the inning off with one of his patented ground ball infield hits.  Jason followed with a single to right and Joey ripped one off the third baseman's glove scoring Donnie.  Michael Todisco scored Jason with a sac fly followed by a Sam Cerbo rocket shot thru the left-center gap.  After a hit batter, 2 more East Hanover errors, and a  Lee Gross seeing eye single, Montville was off to a 5-0 lead.  Nick pitched for 3, striking out 3 and allowed no runners past second base.  Montville plated 5 more in the second and 6 more in the third.  After lots of thank-you's for all the gifts it was time to get home while we still had some blood left in us for tomorrow night's big 'Stangs' final against Roxbury.  See you tomorrow night and please remember the bug spray.

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