Game Recaps

Team Game Stats

Team Trip to Riverfront Stadium for Newark Bears Game

The Montville U11 pitching staff ices their arms after a 6 game weekend

Team Game Stats

Game Recaps

Game 31: Montville 9 - Hazlet 16 State Loser's Bracket Finals Sunday July 30th

Montville U11's season came to a close in the 6th inning on Sunday as Hazlet scored 7 unanswered runs to break a 9-9 deadlock and advance to the State Finals.  Montville took advantage of 3 walks in the second inning when Jason Schwartz batted with 2 outs and smashed a 2-2 fastball over the right field wall for a grand slam (Jason's first career homerun).  Chris Vielee was pitching for Montville and got out of 2 bases loaded situations with ground balls to Nick Gaeta at third to end the 2nd and 3rd innings.   Montville led after 3 innings 4-2.  Sam Cerbo came in to pitch the 4th inning.   Hazlet regained the lead 5-4 but in the bottom of the 4th Mike Todisco tied the game and started a big Montville rally by smashing a lead off solo home run.  An error, walk, RBI single by Chris Vielee, Hit by pitch and clutch 2 out single by Jim DeZao off the right field fence scored 4 more Montville runs.  After 4 Montville led 9-5.   But Hazlet answered right back again on 2 doubles, 2 walks, and a single to tie the game 9-9.  Montville went down 1,2,3 in the bottom of the 5th.  In the 6th Jason Schwartz was on the hill for Montville trying to shut down the hot Hazlet bats.  The 6th started with a Montville outfield error followed by 6 Hazlet hits including a home run and another costly outfield error.  When the bleeding was finally over Montville was trailing 16-9.  Montville got a couple of hits in the 6th but could not score and Hazlet advances to the final game against N. Edison on Monday.  Oh well, time to hit the beach and break out the football gear.

Homeruns: Schwartz, Todisco  Two Hits: Schwartz   RBI's:   Schwartz 4, DeZao 2, Todisco 1, Vielee 1

Game 30: Montville 3 - North Edison 11: State Semi Finals

After beating Caldwell 11-3 just two days ago, playing one of their best games of the season, Montville wound up on the other side of the fence this game loosing to N. Edison 11-3.  Seems that nothing was going right at the plate or on the mound as the batters struggled to hit the ball out of the infield and the pitchers struggled to get ahead in the count.  It was just "One of those Games" for Montville.   Although both teams had just 6 hits,  Montville had more walks and hit more batters.  Which all added up to another game in the losers bracket on Sunday against Haslet.  If Montville wins they will get another shot against N Edison on Monday night.

Game 29 : Montville 11 - Caldwell 3 Suburban Finals  Thursday July 27th

Caldwell came out swinging in this rubber match for the finals of the Suburban league.   Scoring only 1 run on 4 hits in the first inning, Caldwell left the bases loaded as Montville's starting pitcher Jason Schwartz got out of a jam with the help of his defense.  Montville got things going right away in the bottom of the first as Donnie Trifari led off with a double, followed by a Nick Gaeta walk, Chris Vielee single, Joey Bellini walk and then the big blow, a 2 RBI single by Sam Cerbo.   Montville scored 5 to take a 5-1 lead into the second.  Again Caldwell loaded the bases but failed to score as Jason Schwartz came up with a big strikeout to end the threat.  Montville got right back to work in the bottom of the second as Lee Gross reached on an error, followed by another hit by Donnie Trifari.  Lee scored on a Fielder's Choice by Nick Gaeta who scored on a ripped double by Chris Vielee.  Joey Bellini singled to score Chris and Montville took command with a 8-1 lead.  In the top of the third Caldwell, for the 3rd time, loaded the bases and again Jason fanned the last batter.  Ryan Gajdos did a fine job pitching the 4th, 5th and 6th for Montville.   Montville proceeded to get 1 run in each of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings and Caldwell did manage to score 2 more on a 2 run, fence clearing, homerun.  But this game was over early as Montville coasted for it's 3rd consecutive Suburban Playoff title.   Michael Todisco played a fine game at shortstop and Chris Vielee ended the game in style with a backhanded play at third.  Congrats to the "STANGS" on a well played (only 1 error) game. Good luck in the States!

LOB: 8 Doubles: Trifari, Bellini, Vielee  Two Hits: Trifari, Vielee, Bellini   RBI's:   Bellini 3, Gaeta 1, Vielee 1, Cerbo 1, Todisco 1

Game 28 : Montville 6 - East Hanover 5  Suburban Playoffs
Montville gets past East Hanover in a hard fought extra inning game.  Montville led after one 1-0 when Donnie Trifari led off with a bunt single, advanced to second on a FC by Nick Gaeta and scored on a ground ball by Mike Todisco.  Ryan Gajdos pitched great striking out 4 in the first two innings but gave up 1 run in the 3rd.  At the end of 3 it was dead locked at 1-1.   Nick Gaeta pitched the 4th and 5th innings.   An error with 2 outs gave East Hanover a 4-1 lead.  Montville answered right back in the bottom of the 4th when Joey Bellini walked, Jason Schwartz walked,  Jimmy DeZao singled to load the bases, Ryan Gajdos singled in a run,  Lee Gross walked in a run and Chris Vielee walked in a run to tie the game.  But with bases loaded and 1 out Montville failed to take the lead.  In the top of the 5th with 2 outs an East Hanover batter doubled. The next batter singled and the ball got under the centerfielder's glove to score the go ahead run.  Nick Gaeta led off the 5th with a single, followed by a Mike Todisco walk.  With no outs Joey Bellini ripped a line drive to center, right at the center fielder who caught it and doubled off the runner at second.  With 2 outs Sam Cerbo walked and Jason Schwartz singled, but a strong throw in held Mike Todisco at third.  Jimmy DeZao hit a hard grounder but it was right at the shortstop who got the last out.  Joey Bellini pitched the 6th for Montville and struckout 2 batters to end the inning. Now here it is , bottom of the the 6th and Montville trails 5-4.  Ryan Gajdos leads off with a clutch single.  Then comes the play of the game.  Lee Gross bunts and a hustling Ryan goes all the way from 1st to 3rd on the play.  the charging third baseman was sleeping.  Chris Vielee hits a single up the middle and Ryan scores the tying run.  Donnie Trifari gets an infield single and things are looking good for Montville. One out and the winning run on second.  Nick Gaeta rips a hard line drive right at the shortstop who steps on second to double off the runner - &@%t!!  But Joey Bellini pitches a great 7th inning, striking out 2 and Montville has another change to end the game.  After a leadoff strikeout, Joey Bellini singles, followed by a long- high single by Sammy Cerbo over the right fielders head that sent Joey all the way to third.  Then Jason Schwartz came through with a game winning hit to center and Montville won 6-5. phewww!  Baserunning practice tomorrow at 6:30.

LOB: 10 Doubles: none  Two Hits: Trifari, Schwartz, Gajdos, Vielee   RBI's:   Vielee 2,  Gajdos 1, Schwartz 1, Gross 1

Game 27 : Montville 11 - Lincoln Park 0  Suburban Playoffs
After winning a State playoff game earlier, a noisy bus ride home and quick pizza party at Bella Pizza, Montville was back in town to play Lincoln Park in the first round of the Suburban playoffs.  Although Montville did not get a police escort like the Yankees & Mets, they certainly played like pros this game.  Lincoln Park suprised Montville by adding 3 new players to their roster (is this legal?).  Turned out they were players from their 12 year old team that played up all year. And of course they were the older team's two best pitchers. Coach Gaeta did not like the news and saw the team strikeout 7 times in the first three innings from the heat.  Eric Berman was on the hill for Montville and quickly got himself in trouble.  He walked the first batter who stole second.  The next batter singled and a relay from Chris to Joey to Nick nailed the runner from second (I won't comment on the call). Then Joey grabbed a flyball near the fence at first to end the inning.  Donnie Trifari led off the game with a nice bunt single and Nick Gaeta walked.  However, the new Lincoln Park pitcher struck out the next 3 batters to end the 1st 0-0.  Again Eric had troubles in the next inning and again his defense bailed him out.  This time after a led off error, a single and a walk, Lincoln Park had the bases loaded, no outs.  The next batter scorched a line drive to center where Sam Cerbo ran over to make the grab.  Then he fired a laser to third to catch the runner off the base for a double play - ouch!   Eric struck out the next batter to end another Lincoln Park threat.   Jim DeZao doubled in the bottom of the second but two more strikeouts ended things for Montville.   After two 0-0.  Montville sent Donnie Trifari to the mound to try to keep this game close.  Donnie pitched masterfully for 3 innings allowing only 1 runner to reach base on a walk.  He didn't give up a hit, had 1 walk and struckout 5.  In bottom of the 3rd Donnie led things off with a one out walk, followed by Nick getting hit in the foot (his 6th hit by pitch this year).  The next batter struck out and Montville sent Joey Bellini to the plate with two on and two outs in a zero -zero tie game.  Joey came up big again sending a long drive over the right center wall for a big 3 run homer (his second of the day).  Joey has now hit a homer in each Muni field 1,2, & 3.    In the fourth Lincoln Park brought in another new pitcher who was rumored to be better than the first.  Jason Schwartz welcomed him to the game on the first pitch by ripping a double down the left field line.  Ryan singled and two errors later Chris Vielee singled in another run.  Montville led 5 to zip after 4 innings.    Montville scored more in the 5th when Nick, Joey and Jimmy singled and Mike Todisco and Lee Gross doubled to score 6 more runs.  Lee Gross came in to pitch a perfect 6th and preserved the shutout 11-0 Montville. 

HR: Bellin  Doubles: Todisco, Schwartz, DeZao, Vielee, Grossi  Two Hits: Bellini, DeZao, Vielee   RBI's:   Bellini 4, DeZao 2, Vielee 2,  Todisco 1, Gajdos 1,

Game 26 : Montville 9 - North Bergen  3   (2nd Round State Tournament)
After a scenic tour around Elizabeth (wrong turn) and a weak infield practice Montville looked as if they were going to pick up right were they left off yesterday.  But team leaders Lee Gross and Jimmy DeZao (along with bat boy Zach Cerbo) managed to pump some life into the team. Montville's first two batters swung at the first pitch and made 2 quick outs.  Then Mike Todisco ripped a ball off the fence to start the Montville hitting spree.  Joey Bellini followed with a double, Sam waked but Montville did not score with bases loaded.  In the bottom of the inning N. Bergen also had the bases loaded but Ryan Gajdos scooped a grounder at second to end the inning.  In the second Jimmy DeZao led off with a walk, then Ryan hit a FC.  Lee Gross put down a bunt that was thrown wild to the right field fence.  It allowed Ryan Gajdos to go from first to home (almost).  The catcher came up the line and Ryan collided with him as soon as he touched the ball but somehow the catcher (who was only about 3 ft tall)  held on and Ryan was out.  Again Montville did not score.  N. Bergen scored 1 in the bottom of the 2nd and again had the bases loaded, but Jay Schwartz struck out his 4th batter to end the inning.  In the 3rd Nick Gaeta led off with single followed by another single by Mike Todisco, an error off Joey's bat allowed Nick to score.  Sam Cerbo floated one past the centerfielders glove to score Mike, Jay walked and  Jimmy DeZao hit a sac fly.  Then Ryan Gajdos, who was down in the count 0-2, managed to foul off some balls and get to 3-2.  Then he ripped a double down the right field line to score another.  Lee gounded to score another and Donnie Trifari singled in Montville's 6th run.  In the bottom of the third N. Bergen had a runner on first with 1 out when Mike Todisco made a great play at short, scooping the ball, stepping on second and then to first for the double play to end the inning.  In the 4th Joey Bellini connected with a solo home run way out in left center.  Sam Cerbo came in to pitch and shut N.Bergen down in the 4th. Then he got out of a bases loaded jam in the 5th.   Nick led off the 6th with another single and Jimmy and Sam singled in 2 more runs.   Montville led 9-1 in the bottom of the 6th.  Sam got into some trouble in the 6th giving up 2 runs but ended the game, with bases loaded, by fielding a grounder and stepping on 1st himself.
9 runs, 14 hits and 2 errors earned Montville a trip to the semi finals on Wednesday to face last year's State and Regional Champions - North Edision.   Needless to say ...  the bus was rocking all the way home for the double header game against Lincoln Park.

HR: Bellin  Doubles: Bellini, Cerbo i   Two Hits: Gaeta, Todisco, Bellini, Cerbo, Gajdos   RBI's:   DeZao 2, Cerbo 2,  Trifari 1, Gross 1, Gajdos 1, Bellini 1,

Game 25 : Montville 6 - Plainfield 4  1st Round State Tournament
Montville's bats were asleep this game but 7 walks and 3 clutch hits by Jimmy DeZao, Jason Schwartz and Nick Gaeta were all Montville needed (and that's all the hits they had in the game).  Chris Vielee and Michael Todisco pitched well allowing Plainfield only 5 hits with 6 walks.  Plainfield made the game close in the 5th inning with a 3 run homer but Michael Todisco shut them down in the 6th to preserve the victory.

Doubles: none  Two Hits: none   RBI's:  DeZao 2, Gaeta 1,Vielee 1 ,Schwartz 1

Game 24 : Montville 5 - Caldwell 3   The Rematch
The great thing about this game was that Montville didn't have to wait long to revenge their loss yesterday to Caldwell.  However, things did not start off well for Montville.  Donnie Trifari was on the hill for Montville.  The first play of the game was an error by Montville, followed by a walk.  Then Ryan Gajdos initiated a perfect 4-6-3 double play and the last batter flew out.  Montville's lead off batter Donnie Trifari drew a walk but the Montville bats were cold and the next 3 batters made outs.  In the second the first two batters walked.  Then another Montville error allowed the games first run to score.  The next batter forced out and scored another run.  Donnie struck out the next two batters to end the inning.  Again Montville went down 1,2,3 to end the 2nd trailing 2-0. Caldwell scored another in the third as the leadoff batter reach by Montville's 3rd error.  That runner eventually scored and Caldwell led 3-0.  Montville's bats finally awoke in the bottom of the 3rd when Jason Schwartz walked and Jimmy DeZao woke everyone up with a blast to right center for a double.  Lee Gross looped a single to center to score Jason then Donnie Trifari ripped a sac fly to right to score Jimmy.  After 3 it was Caldwell leading 3-2.   Chris Vielee pitched the 3rd and again Caldwell got the leadoff batter on with an error.  But Chris retired the next 3 in order to end the inning.  Chris Vielee led off the fourth with a single, followed by a beautiful bunt single by Nick Gaeta.   The next batter struck out. Then Montville got it's biggest hit of the day off the bat of Joey Bellini.  Joey smashed a hard line drive double down the third baseline scoring Chris and Nick.  Montville led 4-3. Michael Todisco hit a deep sac fly to right to score Joey.  After 4 Montville led 5 - 3.  Nick Gaeta pitched well in the 5th despite Montville making another error allowing the led off batter to get on (that's 5 in a row guys).   Montville had bases loaded, no out in the 5th and did not score.  Nick Gaeta shut Caldwell down in the 6th and Montville held on to win 5-3.

Doubles: Bellini, DeZao,  Two Hits: none   RBI's:  Bellini 2, Gross 1, Trifari 1, Todisco 1

Game 23 : Montville 8 - Caldwell 9
Just about every time Montville plays Caldwell it's an interesting game.  This game started off terrible for Montville as Sam (who was at basketball camp all day) struggled on the mound to start the game.  5 walks, 1 hit, a ground ball to short where the Caldwell runner ran over Ryan at shortstop while he was fielding the ball ( the Caldwell ump said - "sorry but I didn't see it"), and a hit batter later Coach Gaeta had to call on Eric Berman to stop the bleeding.  Caldwell's ace pitcher was throwing hard and shut Montville down for the first two innings with 4 K's and no hits.   After 2 Montville Trailed 5-0 and things were looking grim.  In the third Montville finally wore down the Caldwell pitcher when Chris Vielee led off with a walk, followed by walks to Ryan Gajdos and Jim DeZao.  Mike Todisco reached on by error and Montville got on the scoreboard.  Eric Berman scored another with a fielder's choice and Donnie Trifari scored another with another one of those ground ball hits to the short stop.  Montville had a great chance to tie the game when Nick Gaeta ripped a shot down the third base line that was snagged by the Caldwell third baseman.  Caldwell answered back in the bottom of the 3rd when the first batter skipped a liner to right that Donnie scooped and threw to first.  Close play but again the call went to the home team.  The next batter singled,  Eric struck out the next.  Then Eric got a comebacker to the mound, bobbled it and tried for the runner on third but he was safe and the bases were loaded with one out.  With the bases juiced Ryan Gajdos came in to pitch.  The First batter hit a looper between the pitcher and first ( no infield fly was called ).  Ryan almost caught it falling but got the batter at first.   However the second run of the inning scored.  Then Jason Schwartz made a nice play at second to end the inning.  After 3 Montville 3 Caldwell 7.  In the top of the fourth Joey Bellini blooped a double over the first baseman's head to start the inning.  Sam walked, Jason FC and then there was some excitement.  With first and third, 1 out, Montville sent Jason to steal second.  Caldwell threw down and Jason got into a rundown that lasted almost till it dark.  Finally Jason made it to second safely and Joey had scored from third.  Great baserunning Jay!  Then Chris Vielee hit a grounder to second which Jay advanced to third on the throw to first.   The Caldwell first baseman tried to get Jay at third and the ball skipped away allowing a tired Jason to score.  Ryan pitched well in the forth when the leadoff man singled but never scored.  Ryan struckout the #6 batter who had 2 hits already on a nasty changeup in the dirt with a runner on third.  At the end of 4 Montville trailed 5-7.  Montville got another run in the 5th when  Jim DeZao bounced one over the shortstop's glove for a leadoff single.  Mike flew out.  Then Eric Berman hit a ground ball to third and a hustling Jim DeZao beat the throw to second.  Montville had runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.  Donnie worked a walk to load the bases.   Lee looked at a high 3-1 pitch but the ump, who wasn't calling the high strike all game, called strike two.  Lee chased the next high strike and Montville had two outs, bases loaded, trailing by 2 with Nick Gaeta up.  On the first pitch Nick punched one just over the shortstop's head scoring one.  Joey made the last out on a close play at first and Montville cut the lead to 1.  Mike Todisco came in to pitch the 5th and was throwing SMOOOOKE!  He struck out the first batter,  the next batter lined out to Donnie in right.  The next batter doubled off a changeup but did not score as Mike struckout the last batter.  Montville came to bat in the bottom of the 6th,  down 1 run.  Sam Cerbo led off with a deep fly to center that fell in for a double.  Jason singled between 1st and 2nd,  the next batter struck out looking with 3-2 count.  Then Ryan Gajdos hit what could have been the game winning double.  Both runs scored and Montville led for the first time 8-7.  Jimmy grounded out and advanced Ryan to third with two outs.  Mike Todisco then hit the hardest ball I have seen hit all year.  Unfortunately Mike's ball went right to the center fielder for the third out.  Montville led by one and Caldwell came to bat in the bottom of the 6th.  The first batter blooped a ball into right field that fell between Jimmy and Donnie who was playing first.  Then came the worst call of the day.   The next batter hit a grounder to Ryan at short who threw to Jay covering second.   Jay caught the ball on the base, looked to throw for the double play, then jumped to avoid the Caldwell baserunner.  He came down on the runner's legs and dropped the ball but he had it long enough for an out and dropped it on the throw.  However the Caldwell ump called the runner on second safe which caused a big argument.  The next batter hit another looper to Jimmy in right that fell in and a wild throw to home allowed the tying run to score and the winning run to advance to third with no outs.  The next batter was intentionally walked and the last batter drew a walk to end the game.   I have never seen an umpire disappear so fast after that game.  Oh well,   we get to play Caldwell at home tomorrow.  This should be interesting. 

Doubles: Gajdos, Bellini, Cerbo Two Hits: none   RBI's:  Trifari 1, Gaeta 1, Gajdos 2, Berman 1

Game 22 : Montville 13 - Montville "National" 5
Rematch.  This time the Montville "American" team controlled the game from the start.  Chris Vielee was on the hill again and pitching great.  Giving up only 2 runs in three innings of work.  Lee Gross pitched 1 and Ryan Gajdos closed the game pitching the last two scoreless innings.  Montvilles defense was brilliant all day.  Today the Montville American team was just too strong.

Doubles: Gross Two Hits: Gaeta, Gross, Berman Three Hits:  Trifari  RBI's:  Trifari 3, Vielee 3, Gaeta 2,  Gross , Schwartz, DeZao,

Game 21 : Montville 11 - West Orange 0
Michael Todisco, Sam Cerbo, Chris Vielee and Ryan Gajdos combine to pitch a no hitter shut out against West Orange last night.  Montville's defense was also perfect committing ZERO errors and stealing hits away from West Oranges.  Key plays were made by Sam Cerbo catching a line drive near the fence (snow coner) and  Michael Todisco making a great play in the hole at third to preserve the no hitter.  Nick Gaeta led the offense with a nice rip to right scoring two runs.  Ryan Gajdos had a hot bat as well with a single , double and two RBI's.  Chris Vielee knocked in the first 2 runs with a double and went 2-3 on his first day back from being sick.  Jason Schwartz got robbed twice on two rockets to left and short. The team is showing great balance at the plate.  Next up - Rematch with the Montville National team on Sunday.

Doubles: Gajdos, Vielee Two Hits: Gajdos, Vielee, Gaeta  RBI's:  Gaeta 2, Gajdos 2, Gross 1, Berman 1

Game 20 : Montville 13 - East Hanover 1
Montville got back on track today beating East Hanover in 4 innings.  Donnie Trifari pitched well for 3 innings and Michael Todisco got the save in the 4th.  The Montville bats exploded for 13 hits including triple by Michael Todisco.  Ryan Gajdos anchored the defense with more great plays at shortstop. Chris Vielee was still sick

Triples:  Todisco Two Hits:  Bellini, Schwartz, Todisco  Three Hits:  Trifari  RBI's:  Todisco 3, Bellini 2, Schwartz 2, Berman 2, Gajdos 1, Cerbo 1

Game 19 : Montville 8 - Verona 9
Montville and Verona both scored 1 run in the first and second innings.  Eric Berman was on the mound.  Montville was leading 3-2 in the bottom of the third when an error, double then homerun put Verona on top 5-3.  Montville scored another in the 4th but some singles and a throwing error gave Verona an 8-4 lead.  In the 6th Montville finally rallied.  Nick Gaeta led off with a single, Sam Doubled off the wall in left, Mike got on to load the bases,  Ryan got a run home with a Fielders Choice, Jimmy singled,  Eric ground to the pitcher for the second out.   Montville was trailing 9-7.  Donnie singled in Jimmy.  It was a 1 run game.  Lee dropped a double down the right field line that almost got past the right fielder who stopped the ball with his bare hand.  Montville had 2nd and 3rd trailing by 1 but the next batter grounded out hard to first and Montville lost it's first Suburban game 8-9.  Almost a great comeback.  We missed Chris Vielee who was home sick.

Doubles:  Trifari, Gross, Cerbo Triples:  Todisco Two Hits:  Gross, Gaeta, Cerbo, Todisco  Three Hits:   Trifari  RBI's:  Gajdos 3, DaZeo, Gatea, Schwartz, Trifari

Game 18 MET Consolation Game: Montville 11 - Long Valley 8
Well, as Coach Cerbo once stated, 3rd place stinks but 4th is even worse.  Tonight Montville played Long Valley for 3rd place honors in the MET but heck, it's still worth a trophy so lets play ball.  This turned out to be a great game with both clubs hitting the ball well.  Donnie Trifari led off the game with a first pitch hit up the middle.   Lee Gross sacrificed him to second.  Jason Schwartz belted a single to score Donnie.   Nick walked.  Jason scored on an error off the bat of Sam Cerbo.   With runners at second and third, 2 outs, Mike Todisco ripped a liner down the first base line but the Long Valley first baseman made a diving stab to end the inning.   Montville sent Sam Cerbo to the mound to start the game.  Sam was throwing hard but Long Valley was ready for the heat.  Mike Todisco made a reaching catch on a hard line drive to rob the first batter, who happened to be the player who just robbed him of a double. (Can you say payback time).  The next batter smashed a double down the line.  Followed by a walk and a double to right center.  Then Jason made a nice play at second but the next batter singled to score another run. Although Sam was pitching well at the end of 1 it was Montville 2 Long Valley 3.  Montville answered right back in the second inning when Ryan Gajdos led off with a single up the middle.  Jim DeZao singled and Eric Berman sacrificed both runners.  Donnie Trifari hit a line drive to left that the left fielder made a great catch on but it was enough to sacrifice Ryan home and tie the game 3-3.  Sam Cerbo was brilliant in the 2nd and 3rd innings and Ryan Gajdos made a dazzling play at third.   Using the change up Sam kept the Long Valley batters off balance.  Mike Todisco help him out again with another great catch on a line drive.  Montville had a great 3rd inning at the plate when Jason led off and got robbed twice.  Once by the Long Valley pitcher getting his glove on a hard smash up the middle, deflecting it to the short stop.  Then by the ump who called him out at first when he appeared to beat the throw.  However Joe Bellini walked, Nick Gaeta hit a single up the middle, Sam Cerbo roped a beautiful double over the right fielder's head scoring 2.  Mike Todisco singled.  Ryan scored Sam with a force out.  Jimmy doubled to score Mike.   Montville led 7-3 after 3.  Montville did not score in the 4th.  In the bottom of the 4th Montville sent Donnie Trifari to the mound.  After a lead off error, Donnie got the next 2 batters to pop out and struck out the last batter looking on a great change up.  Montville scored 2 more in the top of the 5th when Nick Gaeta led off with a single,  Sam ripped another single to score Nick, Mike Todisco walked,   Ryan reach base on error and Jimmy DeZao hit his third hit of the day to score Sam.   With bases loaded, 1 out, it looked like Montville was going to blow this game wide open.  That changed quickly as Eric Berman hit a liner back to the pitcher who quickly caught the runner off  third for a rally killing, inning ending double play.   Oh well,  it looked like Montville had enough runs to win.  Leading 9-3 in the bottom of the 5th.  But, as it turned out,  the base running error was just the start of bad things to come.  Donnie Trifari took the mound again in the 5th.  The first batter reach on by an another error to short.  Donnie walked the next batter with a 3-2 count.   The next batter hit a comebacker to the mound but Donnie just got the out at first, letting the other two runners advance.  The next batter ripped a liner just past the glove of center fielder Sam Cerbo, scoring both runs,  The number 4 batter singled up the middle scoring the 3rd run of the inning.   Cutting the lead to 9-6.  Then Montville really got sloppy.  The next batter hit a grounder off the first baseman's glove that was picked up by the right fielder and thrown out of play (Montville's third error in the inning) allowing another run to score and putting a runner on 3rd. Coach Gaeta decided it was time to try his luck with another pitcher and brought in Ryan Gajdos. Ryan's first batter doubled scoring another run.  Then the defense picked up when Michael Todisco made a great play in the hole between short and third and the long throw got the runner at first.  With the tying run at third, two outs, Ryan got the next batter to ground out to the mound.   After 5 Montville led 9-8.   Donnie led off the 6th for Montville getting on when the first baseman bobbled the ball on a close play.  Lee Gross walked.   Then Jason Schwartz singled in Donnie,  Joey reached on by an error that scored Lee.  Again it looked like Montville was going to have a big inning.   Then, with runners on second and third, no outs,  Nick grounded out to short but the runner on second went to third forcing the runner on third home where Jason was out sliding.  Montville second rally killing, baserunning double play.  Sam flew out but Montville led 11-8 in the bottom of the 6th.  Ryan Gajdos got the first batter to fly out.  The second batter ripped a liner right at Eric Berman at third for the 2nd out.  Long Valley did not give up as the next two batter's singled.  Jason Schwartz then made a fine play a second to end the game 11-8.  Montville takes home the third place trophy in the MET.

Doubles:  Cerbo, DeZao  Two Hits:   Schwartz, Gaeta, Cerbo   Three Hits:   DeZao RBI's:   Cerbo 3, DeZao 2, Schwartz 2, Trifari 1, Gajdos 1

A special thanks goes out to Mark Todisco who put in an incredible amount of time and did an outstanding job running the Montville MET and District tournaments.  Thank you for your efforts Mark,  you can have your life back now.

Game 17 MET Semi Finals: Montville 4 - Mt. Olive 6
Montville played Mt. Olive for the 3rd time in 1 week.  This time Montville came up short as they failed to score with the game tied in the bottom of the 6th with bases loaded.  Mt Olive scored 2 in extra innings to take the lead and win the MET semi finals 6-4.  Montville plays for 3rd place on Monday night against Long Valley.

Mt Olive started off strong with 3 hits in the first inning scoring 3.  Montville got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Donnie Trifari led off with a bloop single just over shortstop.  Jason Schwartz followed with a rip to center for a single.   Donnie later scored on a Fielder's Choice off the bat of Joey Bellini. Mike Todisco pitched terrific in the top of the 2nd striking out the side.  Montville did not score in the 2nd.  In the third Mt Olive led off with a double and with 2 outs had runners at 1st and 3rd.  Nick Gaeta then threw out a sealing runner at second to end the inning with no runs scored.  Montville had a great 3rd inning with Mike Todisco leading off with a double to right.  Followed by a Lee Gross single scoring Mike.   Then a Jason Schwartz double, Chris Vielee sac fly, Joe Bellini single, Nick Gaeta single crossing 3 runs to give Montville a 4-3 lead.  Jason Schwartz came on to pitch for Montville and shut down Mt. Olive for 3 innings.  Montville hit great in the 5th but Mt Olive's defense robbed 3 Montville batters.  Donnie Trifari had a bunt single but could not score as Mt Olive made 3 diving catches to rob, Lee, Jason and Chris. Mt Olive went on to win in extra innings.  Ryan Gajdos shined on defense for Montville making 2 great plays.  It was a tough first loss (vs 11 year old teams) for Montville but there's lots of games left this season.

Doubles:  Todisco,  Schwartz: Two Hits:   Trifari, Schwartz  RBI's: Schwartz, Vielee, Bellini, Gross

Game 16 District Finals: Montville 11 - Mt. Olive 4
Chris Vielee dominates on the mound for Montville, allowing only 1 runner to reach base through the first 4 innings.  Montville took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Joey Bellini doubled off the center fielder's glove in deep center, then scored on a back to back double by Jason Schwartz.  Nick Gaeta singled in Jason with a nice line drive up the middle.  Montville threatened to score more with one out and the bases loaded.  But a bunt out quickly killed the Montville rally.  In the bottom of the 2nd Mt. Olive led off with a double.  The next batter flew out.  Ryan Gajdos made a great play charging a ball at third for the second out.  Mt Olive scored their first run on an error by the Montville short stop.  Montville led after 2 innings 2-1.  In the top of the third Chris Vielee led off with a walk.  Joey Bellini ripped a liner that was caught by the shortstop who tried to pick off Chris at first.  Luckily the ball hit the back of Chris's helmet.  Jason reach on by an error and Nick got a single between 1st and 2nd.   With the bases loaded Sam Cerbo hit a low pop fly over the pitcher's head that somehow fell in for a single.  Montville led 4-1.  Montville scored 4 more runs in the 4th.  Donnie Trifari led off the 4th with another hard hit to the center fielder for an out.  Then Eric Berman, down in the count 0-2 managed to draw a walk.   Chris flew out the center too.  With 2 outs Mt Olive walked Joey Bellini with first open.  Jason hit a dribbler past the pitcher that he hustled and beat out.   Loading the bases for Nick Gaeta.  Both Nick and Sammy walked to score 2 runs.   Lee Gross dropped a single between the right and center fielder to score 2 more and Montville expanded their lead to 8-1.  Chris Vielee threw only 8 pitches to end the 4th inning with the last batter hitting a hard line drive right at right fielder Donnie Trifari for the 3rd out.  Montville did not score in the 5th inning.  In the bottom of the 5th Mt. Olive got their 2 second hit of the game off Chris.  The next batter hit a blooper in front of Joey Bellini at first who let it drop then picked it up,   tagged the runner going to second and stepped on first for the double play.   However the umpire's view was blocked by the second baseman and he called the runner on first safe.  Chris walked the next batter with a full count and Coach Gaeta felt he had enough.  4.33 innings, 2 hits, 1 strikeout and only 52 pitches thrown - Great job Chris!.  Ryan Gajdos came in in relief.  The next two Mt Olive batters singled off Ryan to score two runs.  The next batter grounded out to the pitcher which scored another run.  The last batter lined out to Sammy in center to end the inning.  Montville's led was cut to 8-4.  In the 6th, after Joey grounded out to short, Jason singled. Nick flew out and again Montville had 2 outs.  Then Sam found a gap between center and right and dropped one in to score Jay who was hustling with two outs.  Lee walked and Mike Todisco came through with a hard single between short and third to score two more runs.  Donnie Trifari ended the game with his third fly ball right to the center fielder.  Montville scored 7 of it's 11 runs with two outs.   Ryan struggled a little in the bottom of the 6th.  Walking the first two batters and falling behind 2-0 to the third batter.  Coach Gaeta called timeout and went to the mound to chat with Ryan.  I don't know what he said but Ryan proceeded throw 3 straight strikes to K the batter.  Then got ahead 1-2 on the next batter who ripped a hard grounder back a Ryan's feet.  Somehow Ryan got his glove on the ball and got the out at first.  It was some play,  Ryan you should have seen it!   Ryan then struck out the next batter to end the game.  Montville won 11 - 4 and now will play in the State Finals in two weeks in Elizabeth NJ.

Doubles:  Bellini, Schwartz: Two Hits: Schwartz, Cerbo, Gaeta, Gross   RBI's >1: Cerbo 3, Gross 2, Gaeta 2, Todisco 2

Game 15: Montville 18 - Lincoln Park 9 7/6/00
Montville took the night off for the first 4 innings allowing Lincoln Park to score 7 unearned runs on 6 errors.  When the dust settled in the fourth (I mean this literally because the field was in terrible shape) Montville found themselves in a 9-9 tie ball game with the Lincoln Park team hooting and hollering and hanging on the screen.   But Coach Cerbo came back from his T-Ball clinic and the team immediately came to life to score 8 runs in the top of the 5th.  The one highlight was Lee Gross going 4 for 4, striking out the side with bases loaded in the fourth tied 9-9.  Lee threw only 4 pitches in the 5th to retire Lincoln Park 1,2,3 and also made a great play in   left field throwing out a runner going to second to help kill a Lincoln Park Rally.   I really can't say much more about the game because I didn't see most of it.   I spent most of the game staring into the sun while coaching 1st base.  The field was awful, the sun was glaring, the team played poorly.  Thank god it's over.   Let's get back to the Muni's - quick.  Time to regroup for tomorrow's big District finals showdown against Mt. Olive.  On the positive side:  It was a short ride.

Doubles:  Vielee: Two Hits: Berman, Schwartz, Cerbo,  Four Hits: Gross  RBI's >1: Bellini 5 Gross 3, Gajdos 2

Game 14: Montville 7 - Mt. Olive 3 in District Semi Finals
Trailing 2-1 Montville rallied for 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to defeat a tough Mt. Olive team in the semi-finals of the Cal Ripken District Tournament on Wednesday night.  Montville tied the game in the second 1-1 when Joey Bellini led off with a walk, followed by a walk to Jason Schwartz, a fielder's choice and then Sam Cerbo singled in Joey.  Montville failed to score the runner on third when Michael Todisco lined out hard to short and Lee Gross grounded out.   Mt. Olive took the lead in the third and had a chance to score more when Ryan Gajdos made a nice play at third to get the last out.   The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the fifth when Jimmy DeZao led off with a pop fly over the pitcher head that somehow fell in for a single.   Donnie got on by a error.  Ryan advanced both runners with a slow ground ball to third.  Chris Vielee reached on by an error which scored Jimmy.   Joey was hit by a pitch, Jason drove a hard ground ball thru short/third for a single to put Montville ahead.  Nick Gaeta walked which scored a run, Sam Cerbo singled in two more to give Montville a 7-2 lead.  Lefties Donnie Trifari and Sam Cerbo combined to pitch a 2 hitter with only 2 strikeout while Montville's defense shined in making 16 outs with only 2 errors.

Doubles:  none: Two Hits: Cerbo  RBI's: Cerbo 3, Schwartz 1, Gaeta 1,

Game 13: Montville 8 - Chester 4 MET
Montville's Defeated Chester to sweep all 4 teams in their division in the MET.   They now play in the final round taking the first seat position.  Montville started with Mike Todisco on the mound.  The first batter walked, Mike struck out the next and then a throwing error gave Chester 1st and 3rd with one out.  A sac fly scored the games first run but more throwing problems allowed the runners to advance.   A single scored another run then Mike struck out the last batter.  Montville was trailing 2-0.  Donnie Trifari led things off for Montville with a double.   Ryan Gajdos singled him in.  Joe Bellini walked.  Jason Schwartz scored Ryan on a ground ball to second.  Nick Gaeta was up with two outs and singled up the middle for another run.  Sam doubled in a run.  Then Jimmy Dezao doubled but did not score.  Montville led 5-2 after one.  Mike was perfect pitching the 2nd with 2 strikeouts and an easy pop fly.  Donnie Trifari led things off again beating out a ground ball to short for a single.  He stole second on a straight steal and scored on another RBI single by Ryan Gajdos. Chris Vielee singled then Joey Bellini singled in a run.  Montville led 7-2.  Mike started off strong in the 3rd.  A ground out to first and a strikeout to start but a single, walk, single, throwing error and walk gave Chester 2 more runs.  Jason Schwartz came in to strikeout the last batter, then he pitched a perfect 4th and almost perfect 5th giving up one walk. Montville scored one more run in the third when Sam led off with a single,  got to third on a throwing error by Chester on Jim DeZao's fly ball and scored on an RBI ground ball to second off the bat of Mike Todisco.  That was all the offense Montville needed as Ryan "new mechanics" Gajdos came in a pitched a perfect 6 strike inning.  Striking out the last batter.  Coach Cerbo was happy this game.

Doubles:  Gross, Trifari, Cerbo, DeZao: Two Hits: Trifari, Gajdos, Cerbo

Game 12: Montville 5 - Long Valley 3 MET
In a very well played game by both clubs, Montville edged Long Valley 5-3.  With Chris Vielee on the mound Long Valley took an early lead in the bottom of the second.   A single got by the Montville right fielder and a bad relay allowed the Long Valley runner to get to 3rd.  A walk and a single later LongValley had runners on 1st and 2nd with two out when catcher Nick Gaeta peg out a stealing LongValley runner at third.   Montville came to bat in the top of the third, trailing by one run.  Mike Todisco started the Montville rally with a single to right.  Lee Gross doubled in the left center gap.  Donnie Trifari singled in Montville's first run.  Ryan Gajdos walked to load the bases.  The next batter hit into a 1-2 Fielder's choice.    Then Joey Bellini hit a sac fly to center scoring the go ahead run.   With runners on 2nd and 3rd, two outs, Jason Schwartz ripped a line drive but it was snagged by the shortstop for the third out.  Some dazzling plays by Montville infielder's Ryan Gajdos and Jason Schwartz kept Long Valley from scoring in the third.   Montville had bases loaded with 2 outs in the fourth but Donnie Trifari's line drive up the middle was snagged by the pitcher.  Long Valley tied the game in the bottom of the fourth.  Ryan Gajdos started things off in the 5th with a double and Chris Vielee followed with a double scoring Ryan.  Montville led 3-2.  Joey Bellini singled and Nick Gaeta hit a sac fly to score Chris.  Eric Berman took the mound in the 5th with a 4-2  lead.  Montville's infield made some nice plays to keep Long Valley from scoring in the 5th.  Montville scored again in the 6th when a hustling Jimmy DeZao took second after a single and an error.  He was advanced to third on a beautiful bunt by Eric Berman.  Then Lee Gross hit a sac fly, scoring Jimmy.  Montville was holding a 3 run lead in the bottom of the 6th.  Long Valley's leadoff batter hits a double off the fence in left.  The next batter singles.  It's first and third, no outs.  Eric Berman gets behind 3-0 on the next batter.  Coach Gaeta looks concerned.  The batter hits a high drive to right.  Donnie Trifari runs back to make the catch and then throws a strike to second which nails the advancing runner for the second out.  Killing a Long Valley rally ( say that 10 times fast ).  The next batter pops out and Montville wins.   Montville hit the ball well.  The team combined for 10 hits including 3 doubles, 3 sac flies, and 3 line drive outs.  Coach Cerbo was still not happy.

Doubles: Vielee, Gajdos, Gross: Three Hits: Trifari

Game 11: Montville 17 - Cedar Grove 5 MET

Montville Exploded for 15 runs off 10 hits in the first inning as leadoff batter Lee Gross batted 3 times in one inning.  The first 12 Montville batters scored.   Montville coasted to victory.

Doubles: Vielee, Gajdos, DeZao, Cerbo: Two Hits: Gajdos, DeZao, Cerbo

Game 10: Montville "American" 6 - Montville "National" 4
One thing was certain this game.  Montville was going to win.  The American team scored first in the top of the second.  Nick Gaeta lead off with a single.   Tommy DiBennetto struck out the next to batters but Chris Vielee came through with a double scoring the games first run.  Then Lee Gross and Donnie Trifari singled to score two more.  The next inning Joey Bellini homered to make the score 4-0.  In the bottom of the 3rd with one out Chris Franey walked.  The American team then made 2 errors to load the bases.   Then Chris Vielee made another great play on a single by Matt Bruno.  On one hop Chris fielded the ball in right field and through out the runner going to second.  The National team scored one run but it could have been worse.  In the bottom of the forth, after another walk and 2 more errors the National team scored again as Chris Franey walked to score Justin Parisi.  Sam Cerbo struck out the next two batters and then Tommy DiBennetto hit a line drive to second that Jason Schwartz grabbed for the third out.  The American team's bat went silent for the next 3 innings.  In the last inning it look like the American would coast for a 4-2 win.  Eric Berman was pitching and had two out with no one on.  But an error and a single later the National Team had put the winning run to the plate.  Tommy DiBenetto hit a hard drive to left that the left fielder misplayed.  2 runs scored to tie the game and put the winning run at third.  The American team brought in Jason Schwartz to pitch.  He walked Matt Bruno and got the next batter to pop out to first to end the inning.  In the top of the 7th Lee Gross and Donnie Trifari got on and stole a base to put runners on second and third.  Jason Schwartz hit a long fly ball to left center.  Outfielder Timmy Thompson make a nice catch falling backwards.   However Lee Gross tagged up from third and Donnie Trifari was able to tag up all the way from second to score 2 for the American team.  The lead off batter for the National team was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the 7th but a nice play from Chris Vielee at third initiated a double play 5-4-3.  The next batter grounded out to first and the American team hung on to win 6-4.

Homers: Bellini  Doubles: Vielee: Two Hits: Vielee

Game 9: Montville 17 - Bloomfield Central 0 MET game 1
After scoring only one run in the first on a Joey Bellini single Montville put 4 accross in the fourth, 7 in the third and 5 in the fourth.  Montville did not bat in the 5th or 6th inning due to the speedup rule.  Chris Vielee started on the mound and had 2 Strike outs.  Lee Gross pitched excellent in relief with 3 innings and 5 strike outs. Berman pitched the last inning.

Doubles: Todisco, Cerbo, Vielee  Two Hits: Trifari, Gajdos, Bellini, Vielee  Three Hits: Vielee

Game 8: Montville 9 - Cedar Grove 0
Joey Bellini picked up right where he left off on Wednesday night and belted his second homer in his last two atbats.  It was all Montville needed as the Montville Pitching Staff was awesome.  Allowing only 3 hits in 6 innings Donnie Trifari started things off pitching the first two innings.  He had 4 strikeouts.  Eric Berman pitched the next two and had 2 strikeouts.  And Nick Gaeta was the closer pitching the last 2 innings with 2 strikeouts. 

Doubles: Gajdos, Gross, Todisco, Schwartz.   Homers: Bellini.  2 Hits: Gaeta, Bellini, DeZao

Game 7: Montville 18 - Glenridge 4
The game was close thru 2 innings with Montville leading 4-3.  Ryan Gajdos started things off with a nice double and later scored on a 6-3 force out by Chris Vielee.   Joe Bellini drove in Jason Schwartz to give Montville a 2-0 lead.  Glenridge tied it in the bottom of the inning.  In the second Donnie Trifari bunted for a single and later scored on a wild pitch.  Lee Gross scored on an error.   Montville lead 4-2.  Jason Schwartz pitched himself into some trouble in the bottom of the second.  He walk a batter,  hit the next.  The surrendered a double that scored one.  He walked the next batter to load the based.  Then Chris Vielee bailed him out making a diving catch in right field and then doubled off the runner on first.  Great game saving play Chris.  From that point on Montville rolled over GlenRidge scoring 5 in the third, 1 in the 5th.  The Montville bats really came alive in the 6th when Donnie Trifari led off with a double,  Lee Gross singled, Eric Berman ripped a single, Ryan Gajdos singled, Jason doubled, Mike Todisco doubled, Chris Vielee singled, then came the grand finale.  Joey Bellini hit a 3 run homer right over the left field foul pole. The best part was that his dad was umpping the game because the ump did not show up. Montville won by mercy rule.

Doubles:  Gajdos, Trifari, Schwartz, Todisco, Bellini.  Homers: Bellini

Game 6: Montville 0 - Livingston(U12) 10 U12 MIT
Can you say SMOKED.  Thats exactly what happend to Montville today as starting Pitcher "Gerson" thru smoke past Montville batters.  Pitching 5 scoreless innings and striking out 6.  He allowing only one hit by Nick Gaeta and only one walk to Nick Gaeta - way to go Nick.  Montville's defense was better allowing only one error however Livingston had too much firepower.  Oh well, were out of the 12 year old tournament.  We will do better in it next year - when we're 12 of course. 

Game 5: Montville 20 - Montclair 2
Not much to say for this game.  Montville just was way to much for Montclair to handle.  The only excitment was some passing thunderstorms and the ice cream truck after the game. Lee, Sam, Joey, Michael, and Donnie each had 2 hits.  The team combined for 15 hits in only 4 innings.

Game 4: Montville (U11) 5 - Chatam (U12) 15  U12 MIT
Ok, well maybe playing in the 12yr old tournament wasn't a great idea.  But we drew a great team in the first round and we played a very sloppy game.  But the kids bounced back on Sunday (in that other league) and I'm sure will put up a fight in the MIT 12 losers bracket.  Next game: Tuesday, 8:00pm

Game 3: Montville 10 N. Caldwell 5
N. Caldwell jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first but Montville answered back to tie the game 2-2.  Then Montville took control and won in 6 innings.   Sam Cerbo blasted one that hit the fence and Jason Schwartz hit a triple in the gap.  Chris Vielee had another good day going 2-2.  Donnie Trifari and Mike Todisco teamed up for a 8-3 force out. 

Game 2: Montville 24 vs Totowa 1
Montville exploded for 16 runs in the second inning to defeat Totowa in 4 innings.   Nick Gaeta had 3 hits and 5 RBI's and Chris Vielee had 3 hits and 4 RBI's to lead the Montville team to victory.  Montville had a total of 19 hits.

Game 1: Montville 17 vs West Orange 0
Montville wins big!  20 hits including Ryan Gajdos's first ever 3 run homer.   The game only lasted 4 innings with Ryan and Joey Bellini pitching 2 innings each.   Clutch 2 out single by Michael Todisco off the fence started the Montville scoring drive in the first inning.