This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Team of the Week Award goes to Warminster’s 18U Showcase Team. They went 5-0 this past weekend to win the 18U Wood Bat Championship at Diamond Nation. They are coached by John Bellis.
On Friday, the 18U squad dominated Langan Baseball American, winning 13-2. The following day they beat the NJ Super 17’s 8-5. On the last day of the tournament, the team rattled off 3 more wins, beating the Taconic Rangers 3-2, the North Jersey Heat 9-1, and Wladyka National 5-1 to claim the title of tournament champions.
Despite having just four pitchers for the weekend, the pitching staff propelled the 18U squad to the championship. In particular, Casey O’Donnell and Matthew Martens led a pitching staff that let up just 11 runs in 5 games. Both pitchers had to make 2 starts during the tournament. Ethan Rode also chipped in with a strong performance.
The pitching staff was aided greatly by the 18U Team’s high-powered offense. While Coach Bellis said that there were no individual standouts for the weekend, everyone chipped in with timely hits. Bellis noted that the team did a great job of moving guys up a base when they needed to, and they were able to take advantage of mistakes by the other team.
When asked about his team, Coach Bellis pointed to the way they have come together this fall.
“In short, it’s obvious that the team has really come together and gelled as a group. There’s a great sense of camaraderie with these guys, and they love playing together. We’re 14-2 this fall, and we’ve won 12 straight games now. We’re a tough team to beat, and I think that says a lot about these guys. To come in and win a tournament like this with only 4 pitchers is impressive.”
The 18U Showcase Team plays again the 8th and 9th in Berkshire and the following weekend at All Star Baseball Academy’s Showcase Tournament at Villanova University.
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