It's all over at Toms River East. The cinderala slipper Mahwah wore to the championship game has been repoved. Allentown was too good and won 11-6 claiming the Group 2 State championship.
Anthony D'Alesandro led Mahwah with three rbi and a HR but it wasnt nearly enough to overcome an early 5-0 deficit.
This loss doesnt put a damper on what Mahwah was able to accomplish coming into today. They got into the tournament with a .500 record and had won 10 straight before today. It was a great run that came to an end against a very talented Allentown squad.
p>Mahwah is down to its final inning after being unable to produce anything in the sixth. After Eric Ainspan led off with a single Ryan Casey grounded into a double-play. Anthony D'Alesandro, who has hit a HR and added two more RBI to lead Mahwah, was called out on strikes.
Mahwah got its first 1-2-3 inning and enters the bottom of the sixth still trailing 11-4. Is it time for more magic? The bottom of the order is coming to bat. Its time to score some runs.
Allentown just keeps putting up runs and Mahwah is back on its heels. The Mahwah fielders shoulders are drooping and the Allentown fans are chanting A-Town.
The Red Birds scored two more runs in the fifth and show no signs of slowing down their offensive show. It started with a walk to Rob Guiliano, who advanced on a ground out to first, and scored one on Logan Gallagher's single. Gallagher came in to score three batters later on a throwing error by Chris McAvey, who was covering second on an attempted stolen base.
Allentown leads 11-4.
Mahwah put an end to any thoughts of a 10 run rule being enforced by scoring two runs in the fourth to bring the game within striking distance at 9-4.
Tyler Mason hit a long double to deep left center and was followed by a walk to Eric Ainspan. Ryan Casey induced a catchers interference call to load the bases with two outs and Anthony D'Alesandro drove in the two runs with a single up the middle.
The game is by no means over. Mahwah needs a lot more though. A 1-2-3 inning would help.
Allentown stole two bases in the fourth, which led to two runs, and Allentown now leads 9-2. Hanig has been replaced by Mike Negron who has walked a batter and allowed another run to score on a wild pitch.
Hanig walked the lead-off batter Rob Guilano, who promptly stole second. He was driven in by a Mark Malorano weak hit in between the first and second basemen. Malorano stole second and was driven in by Logan Gallagher's single.
Allentown then got two consecutive singles, on Hanig, to score a run and got its ninth run on the wild pitch.
Mahwah is reeling. It needs to stop the bleeding or the 10-run rule may enforced.
Mahwah had runners on first and second in the bottom half of the third with one out but couldn't push anyone in. Anthony D'Alesandro was hit by a pitch and Chris McAvey walked out but Perro got a pop up and a ground out, both to second base, to end the threat.
Hanig is still pitching to start the fourth for Mahwah.
Hanig pitched his way out of trouble in the third inning but may have to be pulled soon. He has thrown over 60 pitches in just three innings and is still wild with his pitches.
He walked the first two batters but was given a reprieve when Allentown's Ed Ras tried to advance the runners but bunted the ball too hard allowing third baseman Tyler Mason to get the out at third. A pop up to second and another grounder to Mason ended the inning but Mahwah has to be concerned about Hanig.
Good news for Mahwah is Hanig calmed down in the second inning. He surrender one hit but looked like he relaxed after a rocky start. The one problem is he has thrown a lot of pitches in just two innings.
Another problem for Mahwah is Allentown's pitcher Ethan Perro looks like he found his grove. He has struck out five through two innings and the game is still 5-2 in favor of Allentown.
Mahwah wasn't going to let one bad inning ruin its great story. With a big home run by Anthony D'Alesandro Mahwah got back in its Group 2 State championship game.
D'Alesandro hit a lead-off home run off Allentown's Ethan Perro, who to that point had not allowed a run in the post season, to the short porch in right field. Chris McAvey followed with a walk then stole second. On a wild pitch, McAvey ran to third and scored on a wild throw from the catcher.
The Slipper still fits, maybe, and the score is 5-2 after one.
Mahwah's run to the State championship has been a great story. The ending may not be the same.
Mahwah gave up five runs in the first inning and pitcher Doug Hanig doesn't look on his game.
He surrendered a lead-off hit to Rob Guliano and walked Mark Malorano. Hanig nearly pitched his way out of trouble by striking out Logan Gallagher and inducing a pop fly by the next batter. But two consecutive singles by Allentown scored two runs.
Jeff Remo came out and spoke with Hanig after he gave up a walk to load the bases. The talk didn't work however as Tom Kuntz cleared the bases with a high drive to deep left field. Kuntz walked into second and with a slap of the hands showed Mahwah it was in for a battle.
The Mahwah crowd has shown up and made their voices heard during pre-game introductions. The loudest ovation went to pitcher Doug Hanig.
Lets play ball!
Hanig's first pitch was a strike. Time to get the game going.
Mahwah is just winning everything right now.
Not only have the Thunderbirds won 10 straight coming into todays Group 2 Championship game against Allentown (26-3) they also just won the coin toss and will be the home team.
The crowd is starting to grow, the sun continues to scorch the field, Doug Hanig (12-5) will throw the first pitch at 2. Its close. Check in for updates.
Mahwah's Cinderella story continues.
The team that couldn't get into the County tournament has won 10 straight and is in the Group 2 State championship game. Can they complete the improbable run and finish as State Champs? With their ace Doug Hanig (12-5) on the mound I do.
Fist pitch is scheduled for 2. Check in before hand for updates from Tom River East.
PS. I thought this was a beach town but where is the ocean breeze? No where to be found currently. But the sun can be found scalding the St. Rose supporters still on the field.
Lucky to your blog! I want to ask you, Do you like romantic life? Any ideas? I'll heed your answer!
Posted by: New Jordans | April 21, 2010 at 11:07 PM