Erial Closes Out Cherry Hill Atlantic to Win Section 4 Title

As big as it was for to win the District 14 championship, it had become almost routine for the 12-year-olds. Erial's 2011 title was their fourth consecutive, making it almost routine in a way.

However, the 2011 team was different then the previous nine Erial teams that went to the Section 4 tournament. On Sunday night they were able to finally win the Section 4 championship that had eluded so many teams, coaches and players in years past.

On the back of another good pitching effort by and a four-run rally in the fifth inning, Erial defeated Cherry Hill Atlantic Little League 7-2 at Gloucester Little League, giving the little league its first every Section 4 title in the 12-year-old division.

“They just keep playing their hearts out and keep proving all the naysayers wrong,” said Erial manager Carl Foltz. “They keep proving themselves at every game and every obstacle.”

The game was very close through four innings, as Cherry Hill starting pitcher Joey Paolini and Holland both kept two strong offenses at bay. Paolini allowed just four hits and three runs through the first four innings, while Holland allowed four hits and two runs in that same span.

The game broke open in the fifth, with Erial clinging to a 3-2 lead. Holland led off with a walk and then got all the away around to score on a pair of wild pitches and a passed ball to make it 4-2. followed with a walk himself, forcing a pitching change from Cherry Hill.

With reliever John Stankowicz in, Erial was able to put another runner on base on an infield single by . Then two batters later, with runners on second and third and one out, right fielder Angel Crespo came to the plate in a critical spot.

Crespo had only had only seven plate appearances as he missed four games due to injury. However he came up big when his team needed him on Sunday, ripping a single into right field on an 0-1 pitch to score two runs and double Erial's lead to 6-2.

“I didn't really think that they were going to give me too much junk,” said Crespo. “I was looking for the fastball. I got it up and in and just drove it to the opposite field.”

Crespo would later score after grounded into a fielder's choice, giving Erial a comfortable 7-2 lead heading into the final inning.

Erial concluded the Section 4 tournament with the same pitchers that finished off the District 14 tournament. Holland got two of the first three outs before having to be removed due to his pitch count. Reynolds stepped in and stuck out Cherry Hill's Skyler Colton for the final out of the game.

Erial's Section 4 championship carried more euphoria then the District title. They became the first District 14 team since Audubon in 1995 to win the 12-year-old Section 4 championship. Winning this tournament and being the best 12-year-old team in South Jersey in something no one can take from them.

“It feels good,” said Reynolds about winning the tournament. “Winning Districts as an accomplishment but winning Sections just take it way farther.”

“I knew that this team was going to go far,” said Foltz. “Since these kids were seven years old we kept them together.”

“I want to honor God for blessing me for all my great talents,” said Holland. “[Cherry Hill] was a real good team.”

Erial's first ever trip to the New Jersey State tournament will not be a long one in terms of distance. The tournament this year is being held at Monroe Township Little League in Williamstown, just a short 20 minute drive from Erial. The tournament will take place from Friday, July 29 until Tuesday, August 2.

Erial will participate in the first game of the tournament on Friday night, when they will play the Section 1 champion, which is either Paramus Little League or Medford Little League. That game will begin at 5 p.m. They will be followed by a game between Section 2 champion Livingston American and Section 3 champion Holbrook at 8 p.m.

No team in District 14 has won the state tournament at the 12-year-old level since 1957, when Blackwood Little League did it. Now Erial has the opportunity to truly put their mark on Little League history. Foltz is confident in his team's chances going into next weekend.

“We're going to be looking real good,” he said. “I think our pitching is probably the strongest in that we can go deep into our four and five holes in our rotation. And they can come out and start a game and win a game for us.”

About a month ago, between 200 and 300 12-year-old Little League teams in New Jersey began play with the hopes of advancing to the state tournament and beyond. That field has been whittled down to a final four. And for the first time ever, Erial Little League is one of those four.