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Aug, 2019

Orioles win the Championship

Congratulations to the 2019 Johnston Little League Orioles for winning the major division Town Championship on August 2nd. It was a full team effort - top to bottom as the Orioles defeated the Cardinals 15-9. The Orioles entered the playoffs as the number 2 seed (behind the Cardinals) and took the first game versus the #3 seeded Yankees by a score of 7-2. Advancing to the next round, the Orioles played the Cardinals with the winner advancing to the Championship round.

The Cardinals easily defeated the Orioles 12-2 in a 5-inning route by the 10-run mercy rule. However, it was this game that proved to be the pivotal turning point that would eventually fuel the Orioles to the Championship game. Without feeling sorry for themselves and knowing their full potential as a team had yet been played, the Orioles moved onto the "Loser's" bracket to face the A's. Behind some strong pitching from 12-year old Preston Marchessault and solid hitting up and down the lineup, the Orioles took the game with a 9-2 victory. That win set up a rematch against the Cardinals on Wednesday, July 31.

Since the playoffs are double elimination the Orioles needed to defeat the #1 seeded Cardinals two times to take home the trophy and champion honors. The Cardinals needed just the one victory. Both teams played like champions. Solid pitching from the Cards Nick Testa and the O's Dean Paris. Dean and his battery-mate, Max Mousseau, were in-synch all night giving the Orioles the fighting chance to stay alive in the playoffs for another night. The game was back and forth for all 6 innings. Eventually, the Cardinals took a 2-run lead in the bottom of the 5th. However, the mighty O's battled back with one out in the top of the 6th to tie the game. With two outs and two strikes on Antonio Morales, he ripped a 2-run single that proved to be the game winner. Antonio then took to the hill at the bottom of the 6th to close out the game.

The O's victory set up the final game of the season versus the Cardinals. Winner take all. The "Battle of the Birds".

In front of a large crowd at Kennedy Field at Johnston Memorial Park the O's and Cards squared off one final time for the 2019 season. The Cards started 12-year old Matt Clements and the Orioles went with their 11-year old, Anthony Vendetti. The Cards struck first with two runs on the top half of the first inning, but the O's struck back in the bottom half of the first with 5-runs of their own. The game ended up as a slug fest as both teams had some great at bats to drive the score to a total of 24 runs. However, after strong defensive plays that included fantastic plays by the Orioles Matt Jones, Tyler Holton, and Christian Ferranti, solid hitting - including key hits by Jayden Calcagno and Fabian Aleman, and excellent base running - the 2019 Orioles took the victory and the 2019 Johnston Little League Championship title by a score of 15-9. Congratulations to the Cardinals for a great regular season. Congratulations to the Orioles team for a fantastic Championship season.

Congratulations to the players that include: 12-year olds - Preston Marchessault, Dean Paris, Matt Jones, Tyler Holton, Ryan Carvhalo; 11 year olds - Max Mousseau, Anthony Vendetti, Christian Ferranti, Jayden Calcagno; 10 year old - Antonio Morales; 9 year old - Fabian Aleman. Also congrats to the Orioles coaching staff: Manager, Mike Mousseau; Coaches, Bob Civetti and Raph Diaz. Congratulations to sponsors Dino Lisi of Lisi Construction and the Johnston Lions Club. The 2019 JLL season is over and the JLL Orioles are Town Champions!

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Johnston Little League (RI)

1583 Hartford Ave
Johnston, Rhode Island 02919
Email : [email protected]