CLCF 9s are State Cal Ripken Champs

On Saturday, July 13, 2013, CLCF Baseball’s 9 year old team opened league championship play with a 5-0 win over Apponaug.  Thanks to great defense, aggressive bases running and outstanding one hit pitching. Alex Marot, Andrew Travieso and Preston Kerman all pitched 2 strong innings each for CLCF.  Matt Barbarino, Alex Marot, Tyler DiNezza and Ruben Fernandez came up with key hits.  CLCF scored one run in each of the first five innings.

On Sunday, July 14, 2013, CLCF Baseball’s 9 year old team beat West Warwick 2-0 and advanced to the 2013 Cal Ripken New England Regional Championships.  Alex Marot and Andrew Travieso combined to pitch a no hitter for the CLCF team.  In a scoreless game with one out in the bottom of the third, CLCF’s Andrew Travieso, walked, then stole second base, moved over to third base after a ground out and stole home as the catcher was throwing the ball back to the pitcher, taking everyone by surprise, including his own team to take the lead 1-0.  This was all they needed to win.  Bottom of the fourth, Tyler DiNezza hit a double and scored on a hit by Ruben Fernandez for the other run.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Cranston's Mayor Allan Fung stopped by before the championship game and gave the team some words of encouragement.  CLCF’s 9's captured the Cal Ripken RI State title with an impressive 11-1 victory over West Warwick. Preston Kerman, Matt Barbarino and Tyler DiNezza all pitched 2 strong innings each for CLCF only allowing 1 run on 3 hits.  CLCF was down one to nothing after two innings and at the top of the third, RJ Fatorma lead off with a walk, Matt Barbarino walked, Alex Marot had a RBI hit, Cole Carbone walked and Ruben Fernandez walked which forced in an RBI and made it a 2-1 lead.  After that, the runs kept coming.  Cranston never looked back and did not stop their aggressive playing.  

Every player on this young talented team contributed in every game.  CLCF’s outfielders, Evan Dacey, Preston Kerman, Owen Smith and Ruben Fernandez, making put outs when balls got hit to them.  The infielders had everything covered from Third base with Mike Panichas and RJ Fatorma with outstanding stops and put outs, shortstops and second base men Alex Marot, Matt Barbarino and Andrew Travieso all with golden gloves and first base men Tyler DiNezza with the stretches and pickups.  Defensively catching behind the plate Devante Vivieros and Cole Carbone, just waiting for someone to try to run on them and try to steal.

Cranston 9U’s only gave up 1 run and 4 hits in three games while scoring 18 runs on 23 hits and no errors.  While pitchers combined for a total of 23 strikeouts and 3 walks.  CLCF’s manager Craig Barbarino said, “This team is so talented, I can give the ball to any one of my twelve players and ask them to take the mound and pitch and they would be ready, these boys have a great chemistry, all get along great and most importantly respect one another.  We only ask for two hours of their time at practice and game day, and then they could go back to being kids”.   

Manager Craig Barbarino and Coaches Steve DiNezza and Mike Marot are extremely proud of their team, parents and community for all their support.  

The parents, especially RJ Fatorma’s grandfather, Dave Allen, get the team fired up by starting the cheer, that has been known as the team cheer, “What time is it?  Game Time!  What are we going to do?  WIN!”  That is what they did!  They are off to Walpole, New Hampshire to represent Rhode Island in the New England Regional. Congratulations to the 9's!