SPORTS

Early home runs set tone for Morristown National

Lauren Knego
inactive

MORRISTOWN – Two home runs in the first two innings set the tone as the Morristown National Little League baseball team defeated Randolph West 13-4 to open the District 1 finals Monday night.

Morristown National, which won District 1 last year, will play again today against the winner of East Hanover and Morris Plains. Randolph West will play today against the loser of that game.

“They know we won it last year but this is a whole different group, it’s a whole new set of boys,” Morristown National manager Bill Champi said. “They haven’t had great success in their previous two years, so I think they’re just coming out here and it really doesn’t matter what game it is, they just like to come out and play the game and play hard and play it right.”

In the top of the first inning with a runner on first and one out, catcher Aidan Watson homered to left field to put Morristown National ahead 2-0. In the bottom of the inning shortstop Cole Carroll led off with a homer to left and brought Randolph West to within one.

With one out and the bases loaded in the top of the second, shortstop Dean Fisher blasted a grand slam to left to give Morristown National a 6-1 lead. Center fielder Brandon Walker worked a walk, and with two outs pitcher Andrew Flores singled to center, scoring Walker for a 7-1 advantage.

“We played pretty well in the field,” Watson said. “Our center fielder Brandon made two great catches and pitching wise we did good.”

Morristown National then scored another two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 9-1 lead. In the bottom of the fifth Randolph West put another run on the board. Luke Ruscher worked a lead off walk and with two outs scored on a single to right by Jaden Tinio to cut the lead to 9-2.

In the top of the sixth Morristown National’s bats stayed hot. First baseman RJ Martini led off with a single to left and right fielder Nico Cangliosi walked. Third baseman Major Jones reached on an error to load the bases and left fielder Andrew Dunn grounded out to short, which scored Martini for a 10-2 lead.

Second baseman Luke Chilson followed with a single to right, which scored Cangliosi, and Fisher doubled to left. Walker reached base after he was hit by a pitch, and a single to left field by Watson scored Chilson and Fisher to put Morristown National ahead 13-2.

“We certainly hit the ball well,” Champi said. “We came out first inning, hit the home run, set the tone for the game. Second inning we put another five on the board, so again putting that kind of pressure, Randolph is traditionally good, this team is a good team, but when you hit two big home runs and in the second inning it’s already 6-1, it sets the tone.”

Randolph West scored another two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a couple of passed balls and wild pitches for the 13-4 final.

Flores pitched four innings for Morristown National and allowed four runs on seven hits, walked none and struck out three. Fisher came in to pitch the final two innings and allowed three runs on two hits and walked four.

“I think I did well but my defense behind me really helped get the outs,” Flores said. “I feel like we have to keep winning games and this was just the start.”

For Randolph West, Ryan Szot, Nick Carlucci, Tyler Ruscher and Eric Clemson combined to allow 13 runs on 12 hits, walked seven and struck out five.

“From a coaching perspective there’s more pressure,” Champi said when asked if there’s more pressure or less pressure after winning the first game. “From a player perspective, again I think these kids just want to come out and play and whoever happens to be out there that day, so be it, that’s who we play, and if we do our jobs we’ll be fine.”

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: 973-428-6674; lknego@gannettnj.com