The Mets defeated the Cardinals two games to one to win the Cornwall Little League playoffs. The series finale was played on Friday evening.
The new champs didn’t have to wait long to see that the ball was bouncing their way in the deciding game. Cardinal hurler Patrick Murphy threw just three pitches in facing the first three batters.
Patrick Purcell grounded to second, and then T.J. Fischer and Jo Jo Coppola had identical turns at the plate. They topped balls that trickled slowly on the infield grass, not far from the third base line. By the time, the Cardinals scooped up the swinging bunts, TJ and Jo Jo were safely on base. Marco Olavarria drove them in with a shot up the middle, and later scored on a pitch that scooted back to the backstop.
That gave the Mets a three-run lead on their way to a 7-1 victory. Although the Cardinals had men on base in every inning, they didn’t score until Joe Harvey singled in a run with two outs in the fifth.
Joe was the final batter that pitcher Marco Olavarria faced. JoJo Coppola replaced him on the mound and got the final four outs.
Murphy took the loss for the Cardinals although he fanned eight batters in less than five innings. Shortstop Mattie Cavallo relieved him and held the Mets scoreless in their final turn at bat.
Earlier in the evening Cavallo took a throw from center fielder Gregg Shaw and tagged a runner who was trying to stretch a single into a double.
The end of the game was as unique as the beginning. After the last out, the Mets trotted quietly off the field without any signs of celebration. Perhaps when you play your schoolmates, you can’t get too excited about winning.
The champions showed more emotion after they left the field and saw a Minor League player stroke a ball over the fence for a home run.
Game 1: The Mets rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win 8-3. T.J. Fischer was the winning pitcher. JoJo Coppola hit a grand slam.
Game 2: The Cardinals drew even with a 6-2 victory. Winning pitcher Gregg Shaw III had 12 strike outs and four runs batted in. JoJo Coppola homered for the Mets.
Mets roster: Jo Jo Coppola, Mike DeFelice, Brian Fischer, T.J. Fischer, Jacob Gecht, Daniel Glickman, Carter Hershberger, Logan Marquez, Jack Mealy, Marco Olavarria, Clay Pinkham, Patrick Purcell, Micah Salisbury.
Cardinals roster: Mattie Cavallo, Tyler DiLello, Mike Fahey, Gavin Furst, Joe Harvey, Brandon Hernandez, Lukas Jachens, Nate Jacoby-Twigg, Patrick Murphy, Rickin Patel, Gregg Shaw, Tommie Shaw, Griffin Zimmer.
