TNLL 12u All-Stars take District 22

TNLL 12u All-Stars take District 22

After starting tournament play with two wins, the Throgs Neck Little League (TNLL) 12 year old All-Star team won 3 more games this past week to go undefeated and become District 22 champions.

TNLL played their 3rd tournament game at the Van Nest LL field on Sunday, July 5 versus the North Bronx LL All-Stars. In the first inning, Justin DelVecchio (1-3, 2R, RBI, HR) hit a solo HR and Dylan Monseratte (1-2, R, 2 RBI, HR) hit a 2-run HR to give TNLL an early 3-0 advantage. In the 2nd inning, pitcher Anthony D’Ancona helped his own cause with a lead-off HR, Frankie Giuliano (2-2, 2R, RBI, 2B) drove in another run with a hard double and Nick Padilla (2-3, 3R, 2 RBI, HR) hit a 2-run HR to give TNLL a commanding 8-0 lead. Anthony D’Ancona (4I, 0R, 3H, 5K’s) used the defense behind him and needed just 47 pitches to pitch four shutout innings. The defensive highlight came in the top of the 4th inning when North Bronx tried to score from 1st base on a long hit to the outfield fence. That is when centerfielder Brian O’Rourke made a strong throw to 2nd baseman Justin DelVecchio who then threw to catcher Nick Padilla who blocked the plate and tagged out the runner. TNLL scored 2 more runs in the bottom of the 4th inning to close out the game at 10-0.

For their 4th game, TNLL played at home under the lights on Tuesday night, July 7 against a talented and well coached all-star team from the Van Nest LL. In the bottom of the 1st inning, TNLL jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on an RBI single from Frankie Giuliano (2-3, R, 3 RBI, HR). Later, Frankie increased the lead to 3-0 in the 3rd inning by hitting a long 2-run HR. In the 5th inning, TNLL added some insurance runs when first baseman Joe Menna hit a clutch two out single up-the-middle to score two runs and give them a 5-0 advantage. Joe also helped the team with his glove as he made nice defensive grabs of a line drive and a pop-up in foul territory. As for pitching, Frankie Giuliano once again dominated as he pitched 5.2 shut-out innings, had 13 K’s and limited Van Nest to only three hits. Justin DelVecchio came in relief in the 6th inning and got the last out of the game to close the 5-0 victory.

For their 5th and final game, TNLL traveled to the Bronxchester LL field on Saturday July 11th to again face the Van Nest LL all-stars (VNLL). The Van Nest team came to the game motivated and hungry to get a win, while TNLL started out a little flat. VNLL scored a run the 3rd inning and held a 1-0 advantage for four innings as the game was a pitching duel between Nick Padilla (TNLL) and Nick Novielli (VNLL). However, the TNLL bats finally woke up in the top of the 5th inning as Nick Padilla (2-4, R, 3RBI) connected for three run HR to change the momentum in the game. Once TNLL got the lead, they did not give it up as Nick Padilla pitched 5.1 strong innings, registered 9 K’s, allowed three hits and just the one run. TNLL scored two runs in the top of the 6th inning on a line drive double by Frankie Giuliano (2-4, R, 2RBI). Hitting stars also included Kyle Mahoney (2-4, R) and Dylan Monseratte (3-3). Justin DelVecchio came in relief in the 6th inning and got the last two outs of the game to preserve the 5-1 win.

The TNLL 12u all-stars (led by manager Chris Mahoney and coaches Benny Signore and Luigi D’Ancona) utscored their opponents 43-2 in the five games they played. As District 22 champs, TNLL will play in the Section 5 tournament against District 24 on Saturday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at the Van Nest LL field.