Nokona 14U goes back-to-back with 2nd Diamond Division Championship!

The Nokona Chiefs 14U won the New England Diamond Division Championship this past weekend by defeating the New England Firebirds 10-9 in the championship game. In pool play game one, the Chiefs defeated the Diamond Dogs by a score of 16-5. Matt Fogarty was the winning pitcher allowing three hits and striking out three.  The Chiefs banged out 14 hits during the win. Ben Porter, Robert Caputo, Matt Fogarty, and Mike Power had two hits each. In game two, the Chiefs hammered the South Coast Cobras 17-1. Ben Wanger picked up the victory on the mound and continued his torrid hitting from the cleanup spot with two hits and four RBI. Mike Stamas, Ben Porter, and Isaiah Berg, the top three hitters for the Chiefs all scored three runs and had six hits collectively. Drew Donohue chipped in with a mammoth three run blast that ended the game. In the third game of the day after clinching the top seed in pool play the Chiefs were defeated by the Legends by a score of 10-8. Connor Bacon and Robert Caputo had two hits for the Chiefs .  On Championship Sunday semifinal action, the Chiefs defeated the So Maine Tomahawks 7-1. Mike Stamas pitched a masterful complete game allowing only two singles, striking out two and walking one. Defense was the key, as the Chiefs played mistake free baseball and were led by the outfield play of John Baron who made three terrific catches in the outfield.  The Chiefs scored 4 runs in the first and were never headed. Matt Fogarty had a key double during the rally. Mike Power, Isiah Berg, and Nick Porter drove in the other runs .

In the Championship game at Gordon College, the Chiefs took on the New England Firebirds, winners of pool A.  In this intense rivalry, with two of the top programs in the Northeast, the Chiefs prevailed 10-9 in an epic see- saw battle. Ben Porter went to the bump facing the Firebirds ace Brandon Lopez.  Both pitchers went 5 strong innings. The Chiefs scored early but the Firebirds answered and led 4-2 after four innings. In the fifth, Drew Donohue had a bases clearing triple that turned momentum the Chiefs way. The Firebirds answered with three of their own in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead 7-6. In the pressure packed sixth inning, the Chiefs again responded with three runs. Robert Caputo and Mike Stamas had key hits in the rally. In the bottom of the sixth, Ryan Solomon made a leaping grab of a line drive and Nick Porter turned a spectacular double play to end the frame. In the seventh, the Chiefs pushed across an insurance run after a terrific suicide squeeze bunt by Ryan Solomon scoring Drew Donohue. The Firebirds, battling to the end, scored two runs but were eventually shut down by the Chiefs ace closer, Nash Galbraith. This victory marks back to back New England Championships for this team after winning last year in the 13 year old group.

 

2011 NEAAU SUPER DIVISION CHAMPS

The Nokona 10U Chiefs won the first ever 10U Super Division New England Championship on June 19th in dramatic fashion. A terrific 3-0 pool play record was achieved with a quality 6-1 win over the Noreasters, a great 2-1 defensive gem over the top seed Quincy Redstockings and a tough 6th inning comeback for a 7-6 walk off win over Team Mizuno. On Championship Sunday, the #1 seed Nokona defeated the Rhode Island Reds 10-2 in the semi-finals to qualify for the Finals versus the New England Firebirds. Behind the entire game, the Chiefs rallied for 3 runs in the 5th to tie it at 7-7, where it remained into 2 extra innings. In the bottom of the 8th, Nokona loaded the bases and scored the winning run with a close play at the plate. Congratulations to the entire 10U team, coaches and parents for a tremendous season capturing 3 titles!

 

2011 PERFECT GAME 13U CHAMPS

2011 MEMORIAL DAY CLASSIC 10U CHAMPS

2011 LEGENDS TOURNAMENT 10U CHAMPS

2011 LEGENDS TOURNAMENT 11U CHAMPS

2011 LEGENDS TOURNAMENT 12U CHAMPS!