The U16 FIRE team after the Championship Win On a crisp cold November Sunday the U16 FIRE traveled to Huntington to square off against the Centerport Cyclones for the Fall Championship. The FIRE came into the finals sporting a 10-2 record. However, the Centerport Cyclone came into the championship game 9-1 and were the highest scoring team in the league, averaging over 11 runs per game as well as allowing the least runs over the season. However, the FIRE were up to the challenge.

In the second inning of game #1 the FIRE took a 3-0 lead behind a 2 run double by Greg Bellantanio on a shot down the right field line. Pitcher, Darryl Tan kept the Cyclones off the board as the FIRE increased their lead in the top of the 4th to 6-0. The Cyclones broke thru in the fifth making it 6-4. However, the FIRE put the game away in the top of the 7th scoring 3 more times starting with a well executed suicide squeeze from Tommy Koebel, followed by another 2 run double by Bellantonio and cruised to a 9-4 win.

Game #2 was all about execution. Hard fought walks, well executed hit and runs, key 2 out hits, bunting runners over, a clutch sac fly by Lisboa and another crucial squeeze play by Charalambous on a pitch down and in provided the FIRE a run in each of the first four innings, staking them to a 4-0 lead. Bellantonio pitched well and held the Cyclones down until the 6th when they closed it to 4-2. Tommy Regan relived Bellantonio with the bases loaded and got out of the jam as the FIRE clung to a slim 4-3 lead heading into the 7th inning. A key pitchout out caught stealing erased the leadoff runner in the 7th and Regan slammed the door shut striking out the final batter for the 4-3 win and the title.

The Fall Championship capped a great 2009 campaign that included a successful spring season, making it to the championship game in the summer league and finally the Fall title. The 2009 FIRE team featured an exceptionally deep pitching staff consisting of Darryl Tan, Tommy Regan, Jonathan O’Hare, Greg Bellantonio, Danny Muller, and Tommy Koebel, and a rock solid catching tandem of Lefko Charalambous and Tommy Koebel. All year long the top of the FIRE order pressured opponents as Ryan Pfingst, Brian Cully, and Danny Muller not only constantly got on base to start games and innings but consistently stole bases and the aggressive running pressured defenses into making mistakes. Darryl Tan, Tommy Regan, Frank Lisboa, Lefko Charalambous, and Tommy Koebel drove in key runs game after game. Solid hitting continued throughout the lineup and key hits/RBI’s were delivered by Drew Simone, Greg Bellantonio and Chris Regan who all added important depth to the Fire lineup. The entire team also played league-leading defense throughout the year. Even with injuries to Sean Kiley, Niko Cerame, and David Pepe the FIRE did not miss a beat. Congrats to the entire FIRE team.