The 15-U Team Rage started the season strong by defeating Team Legacy 4-3 in the Lake Worth Labor Day Bash. In the championship, Team Rage rallied late behind pitching from Zack Brundage.
With the Rage down 2-1 going into the fifth, Danny Maloney reached on an error to start the inning, Quinten Romo hit a single, and Brundage executed a perfect sacrifice bunt that tied up the game. The Rage was again down 3-2 going into the seventh when Maloney beat out an infield single, Brundage singled into the left field gap and Pablo Ruiz hit a double down the left field line.
After a summer where several team members played on high school summer showcase teams, catcher Carlos Fonseca (Palm Beach PAL) and middle infielder/pitcher Brundage (Palm Beach Select), the team jelled immediately.
Other standouts included pitching by Maloney, who in eight innings of work gave up one earned run, struck out six and walked one; Pablo Ruiz, who led the Rage offensively with a batting average of .500 with three doubles and a triple; and Marc Espaillat with five stolen bases.
Stellar offense and defense was provided by Francis Cerasuolo, Anthony Espania, Alex Barnhart, Jose Santiago, Trevor Valleau, Darrick Hendrix and Craig Inscoe. The team’s general manager is Anthony LaBriola and coaches are Scott Barnhart and Vaugh Hendrix.
ABOVE: The 15-U Team Rage members with their trophies.
