Erial's Run Comes to End in Wild Fashion

When the 11-12 Little League teams from Erial and West Deptford each scored four runs in the first inning, the tempo was set for what looked to be a wild and frenzied Section 4 loser’s bracket final.

However, no one could have predicted just how crazy things would get.

After two-and-a-half hours of back-and-forth baseball the seesaw finally tipped, and did so in West Deptford’s favor, 19-18, in eight innings.

By game’s end both coaches were left shaking their heads, if not for the same reason.

“It’s been tough,” Erial manager Jeff Mastrogiovanni said. “Twenty-eight hours ago we were looking to beat Monroe to move into the finals and sit back and be ready for the section championship. Even though we lost, the kids never game up. They kept fighting and fighting and fighting. The train is officially derailed.”

Mastrogiovanni is referring to the ‘crazing train’ nickname he tagged the team with during its dominant run through the District Tournament.

After the game, the coach was left to console a team of disappointed players who had come so far only to be dealt with losses in consecutive nights.

“There were 11 guys sitting on the bench saying it was their fault, but you win as a team and lose to the team,” Mastrogiovanni said. “Everyone contributed throughout the eight games. I had the pleasure of coaching these kids since they were six and seven and this is the greatest bunch of boys you could ever imagine. They sold out for the team and that’s all you can ask for. They have all come so far and are all such good ball players.”

There were plenty of offensive fireworks to go around, including a host of homers. Devin Leary hit two home runs, Ryan Colbert hit a three-run homer, and Trey Crumpler added a long ball.

Erial led 10-4 after three innings, but saw the game swing in the next few frames as West Deptford built a 17-12 lead heading into the top of the sixth. Not deterred, Erial battled back to take an 18-17 lead on a two-run double by Matt Mastrogionni - a shot that bounced off the centerfield fence.

West Deptford then tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a solo homer by Tommy Sampson.

Each team was held scoreless in the seventh and Wet Deptford scored the final run of the game in the eighth on one of the weakest hit balls of the night. With two outs and Jared Schultes on first, Tommy Sampson hit a little dribbler between the pitcher and catcher. The two players collided, forcing an off-balanced throw that sailed into the outfield and allowed Schultes to come all the way around to score.

The win was a bit of redemption for West Deptford as many of the players on the current team were on the team that was eliminated by Erial a year ago.

“It’s a huge statement for two reasons: No. 1, I always preach belief that we can play with anyone,” West Deptford coach Gus Knestaut said. “No. 2, we lost the 10-11 division to Erial and they crushed us.”

The two teams have formed a bit of a healthy rivalry against each other.

“We all know each other from travel ball and Jeff was coaching the team last year and they are good guys,” Knestaut said. “We have known each other for years.”

Although the Little League season is now over for Erial, there is plenty of reason to be excited about what the future may hold for this young group of players. Mastrogiovanni believes there will be plenty more chances for major success for this group.

“I think they know the core of this team has a lot of years left together with middle school, high school and even travel ball,” he said. “After the dust settles and everyone clears their heads I’m sure talk will start again.”