Rye Brook 11U Rebels win Mayhem Tournament in key tune-up for the upcoming GHVBL playoffs
July 24, 2024 at 9:09 p.m.
The Rye Brook 11U age group Rebels warmed up for their upcoming Greater Hudson Valley Baseball League (GHVBL) playoffs opening game at home Sunday (7/28) by sweeping four consecutive games on their way to winning the United States Amateur Baseball League (USABL) New Jersey Mayhem Tournament July 13-14 in Nutley, N.J.
The Rebs outscored their opponents 36-4, their starting pitching rotation tossed two shutouts with five pitchers having a hand in the four romps, their hitters took turns going ballistic and their defensive highlights included their centerfielder throwing out three runners at first base during the USABL tourney—the first and oldest age group youth travel league in the tri-state area.
Lots of baseball Mayhem
The UABL was founded in Point Pleasant, N.J. in 1985 and the latest Mayhem Tournament sure was pleasant for the Rye Brook team.
In fact, almost everything seemed to go right for the Rebels who continue to keep coming of baseball age after winning two previous GHVBL championships in various U categories and losing close in the semi-finals of a third while climbing the age group ladder.
They have climbed each rung so well that their Mayhem Tourney wins gave them a 15-1 season record, their only loss coming against Harrison. The Rebs hope to avenge that defeat as one of the top seeds in the GHVBL playoffs with their opening game coming up Sunday at Ridge Street School with the time and opponent not announced as of press time.
Peaking at right time
The Mayhem Tournament results showed that the Rebs are peaking at the right time.
"We had dominant starting pitching, great defense, and production up and down the lineup," said head coach Alex Klein.
In the opening game against New Jersey's Iron Nine, for example, Tariq Williams and Will McCarthy kept throwing strikes from the get-go, Pete Ayala had a multi-hit game and Kaden Pessin flashed a steady glove in starting a pivotal double play during the 14-2 win that set the tone for the games to come.
In game two, Ayala pitched a complete game, seemingly oblivious to the 96-degree heat, throwing heat instead and needing only 54 pitches to complete the six-inning game while getting two base hits himself during the 9-0 shutout of the N.J. Ballistics. Dylan Klein led the hit parade. Jake Morganelli and Klein played excellent defense at shortstop and second base, roaming far and wide to make sure nothing got through the left side of the infield.
Going ballistic twice
As the top seed, the Rebs drew the Ballistics again in the semi-finals, a game that turned out to be a lot closer than the first time around. The Rebels scored three runs in the first inning with an Ayala double knocking in the first two runs while Klein got the third RBI on a fielder's choice. But that was all they scored and that turned out to be all they needed because McCarthy shut down the Ballistics during his strong five-inning outing.
That set the stage for the finals against the Randolph All-Stars. Klein opened the scoring with a two-run triple in the first, and that was really all the Rebs needed because the All-Stars couldn't hit Morganelli who gave up just two runs in four strong innings and wound up getting three hits himself, including a two-run triple. Williams nailed down the 10-2 win as the closer and the Rebels breezed their way to the title in the heat.
Rebs raring to go
In summing up the Mayhem tournament win, assistant Rebels coaches Nick Serrino and Jack Pessin joined Klein in stressing that it was a team effort that had its special moments, from Ryan Sullivan's knack for getting on base from the lead off spot to James Smith reaching base multiple times, and from Chris Holahan catching 11 innings behind the plate in the heat and humidity to Williams throwing out three runners at first base with strong throws from centerfield. Arthur Brown played steady defense and came up with clutch hits as did Pessin at second base. So did Laclan Stein. Everett Robertson caught everything at first base as did Arthur Brown and McCarthy in the outfield. And Morganelli, Williams and Klein seemed to be on base in every game throughout the weekend.
The Mayhem was the perfect tune-up for the upcoming playoffs. And the Rebs are raring to go.
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