Sports Shorts

The Dayton Titans 10U youth baseball team won five games this past weekend against teams from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia to win the Cal Ripken 10U Gold Glove tournament. This was the Titans' third trip to the Ripken youth baseball complex in Aberdeen, Maryland, and it was the Titans third championship in as many tries. The Titans outscored their opponents 68-11 in five games, using their booming bats, strong arms, and an airtight defense to carry them through to the championship. The Titans traveled to Maryland with 10 players, and got outstanding efforts and key contributions from each player.

The first game on the road to the title was against the BC/CC Warriors, where the Titans claimed a 10-0 mercy rule victory. Colby Redfield moved from behind the plate to the mound for the win with an outstanding four-inning appearance, and Trevor Risdon came on in the fifth inning to shut the door and seal the victory for the team from Dayton. Kyle Adams, Jimmy Matt, Chucky LaSala, and Redfield each had two hits to lead the Titans hit parade.

The Titans' second game of the tournament was a 20-0 mercy rule victory over the Blue Bell Thunderbolts. Mark Bobko was the winning pitcher for the Titans, throwing four scoreless innings to earn the win. Once again, the call was made to Risdon to come on in the fifth and close the door on the 'Bolts, and the 'Bolts went down in five. The Titans bats continued their torrid hit streak with Redfield, Adams, and Vic Dudka each collecting three hits to lead the way. Jack Spillane crushed two balls for home runs in the victory.

The Mason Dixon Riff Necks were the next team to challenge the Titans, but the Titans rode into the playoffs behind the arms of Jimmy Matt, Spillane, and Risdon with an 18-7 victory. Matt collected the win for the Titans, leaving the game with a 4-3 lead. The Titans broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning, exploding for nine hits, and scoring 11 runs. Redfield was on fire at the plate, finishing the game with four hits in five at bats.

The Titans, after going 3-0 in pool play, advanced to the tournament semifinals, where they met local rivals the Central Jersey Stampede. The Titans sent Ethan Collins to the mound to secure a berth in the championship game, and he led the Titans to a 9-3 victory.

The Titans met the South Jersey Young Guns (also 4-0) in the championship game and claimed a five inning, 11-1, mercy rule victory. Although playing their fifth game in two days, the powerful Titans came out hungry and motivated. The Titans scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first when the red-hot Redfield blasted a home run that also scored Kyle Adams, who had walked. The Titans added insurance runs in the second and fourth innings, and ended the game in the fifth, with Adams blasting a home run to score Risdon and Matt Von Roemer. The Titans defense in the championship game was rock solid, with LaSala and Von Roemer leading the way with several great plays. Kyle Adams was awarded the championship MVP award, and all Titans were recognized for being a team that just keeps doing what needs to be done to win, getting contributions at the right time from every player. The Titans resume league play this weekend, and will be in the Hackensack Memorial Day Tournament at the end of this month. Visit the Titans web site at www.leaguelineup.com/daytontitans for more information.

The Jersey Knights will be holding soccer tryouts for the fall season. They are looking for U9G through U11G players looking for a soccer commitment. Training and tournaments through summer. Tryout dates (6 p.m. registration, 6:30 p.m. tryouts) are at the Jersey Knights Complex. Information and directions can be found at www.jerseyknights.com.