Age-group Pirates play lights out against Lightning in sweeping a doubleheader on way to Cooperstown

September 20, 2023 at 11:33 p.m.

The 12U Pirates who are playing fall baseball. Front row, from left: Juan Garcia, Louis Rytelewski, Fabio Garcia, Wesley Loizeaux. Back row, from left: Brayden Squillace, Michael Versace, Tyler Varbero, Aaron Malhotra, Alex Malhotra, Ross Kantor and Jack Louis. (Courtesy photo of Steve Rytelewski)

It's a long last hurrah for Port Chester's age-group 12U Pirates, a fall season run for the ages that aims at arriving in Cooperstown before they age out of the Port Chester Youth Baseball League (PCYBL)–and they are closing out in style while playing in the middle of a fundraising drive.

The Pirates won their latest doubleheader last weekend, beating the Lewisboro Lightning 12-2 and 12-0 at Lyon Park Sunday (9/17).

Their dual 12-run final scores indicate a growing confidence at the plate while the low scores for their opponents is yet another indication that the Pirates pitchers are coming of age—especially the Malhotra brothers, Aaron and Alex, both of whom picked up wins during the doubleheader sweep.

The twin killing

In the first game, Fabio Garcia led the hit parade by going two for three from the leadoff spot, Tyler Varbero was the runs batted in leader and stole two bases and Brayden Squillace personified the plate disciple by drawing two of the team's six walks. And Alex Malhotra cruised to the pitching win by allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out five batters and walking five as the Pirates played error free ball behind him.

In the nightcap, Aaron Malhotra, who threw a no-hitter earlier in the season, no hit Lewisboro for four innings, striking out eight batters while walking three. He also had two key base hits as did Jack Louis, driving in three runs apiece. Garcia and Alex Malhotra led the team with two walks apiece while Alex and Varbero each stole multiple bases as the Pirates ran wild with seven steals.

Total team effort

But the Pirates veteran coaches--Fabio Garcia, George Varbero, John Louis and Steve Rytelewski—all fathers of players on the team, were quick to point out that it was a team effort with key contributions also coming from Ross Kantor, Wesley Loizeaux, Michael Versace, Jan Garcia, Maikel Herrera and Louis Rytelewski.

      

They form the nucleus of the team that hopes to go up against some of the nation's best age group teams at the end of August 2024 in Cooperstown during a prestigious tournament at the Upstate baseball mecca, home of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

But that takes money, lots of money, because it costs $20,000 for room, board and all the expenses for the team and its coaches to play in that weeklong tournament.

Eye on the prize

That's why the Pirates are in the middle of a fundraising drive that will include a special tournament Oct. 7-8 featuring some of the area's best age group teams playing games at 9 and 11 a.m. during that upcoming Saturday-Sunday tourney at Lyon Park.

But right now, the Pirates are focused on their last hurrah, playing one game at a time including their next doubleheader Sunday (9/24) against the Ardsley Fury Black with the games scheduled for 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Lyon Park in Port Chester.

For donations to help make the Cooperstown dream a reality:

Venmo: @PC-Pirates-12U

Checks payable to: Port Chester Youth Baseball League, Box 3, 222 Grace Church St., Port Chester, NY 10573.

Further information: [email protected] or [email protected].