By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy Kris Mandley
The Junior Berlin Little League All Stars captured the district title and will play its first state game on Saturday, July 20.
(July 18, 2019) The Berlin Little League All-Star teams have done well this season, capturing four district titles and two state championships, and most of the squads are still competing.
Major Softball:
The Major Softball League team won district and state titles this season and will now compete in the regional tournament.
“The girls are really excited, but nervous at the same time,” Coach Katie Griffin said. “I just told the girls we are already champions and every game we get to play in Connecticut will be a bonus.
“I just want them to have fun and enjoy the experience,” she continued.
The squad will take on a team from New York in the first round of the regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut, this Saturday. Game time is 6 p.m.
Some regional tournament games will be televised.
Intermediate:
The Berlin Intermediate team, comprised of boys ages 11-13, is currently undefeated as the group prepares for the regional tournament, which kicks off Friday.
“We have a real great team,” Coach Barb Kohut said. “They’ve all known each other for a long time. We are looking forward to regionals because we have great kids who are great athletes.”
The Berlin team, which is district and state champs, will face New Hampshire Little League in Dix Hills, New York, on Friday, July 19, in first-round competition at 5 p.m.
9-10 League:
The 9-10 All-Star team’s winning streak is going strong as the district champs, undefeated 5-0, are now competing in the state tournament in Baltimore.
“They’re doing great,” Coach Ron Calloway said. “Their defense and pitching is going really well.”
Last Saturday, the team won its first district title with a 3-0 win over Capital City Little League in Fruitland.
Berlin took out Brunswick Little League out of Frederick in the state semifinals on Tuesday, 4-3.
“It was a total team effort,” Calloway said. “Daylen Linton pitched five innings, only allowing one hit and one run while striking out 10. We came in from behind and this team has a lot of will … they never give up.”
The state championship was scheduled to take place on Thursday in Baltimore at 5 p.m.
Juniors League:
The 12-14 Junior League team captured the district title last Friday, with an 11-0 shutout over East Wicomico in Salisbury.
“We have a talented group of young men with a great lineup and great pitching,” Coach Kris Mandley said. “Stephen Wade pitched 61 pitches for a complete-game shutout.”
The squad’s first district game was against East Wicomico on Wednesday, July 10, in Berlin. Berlin won 13-3.
“I’m completely excited for states,” Mandley said. “And with the character of these kids, they are mentally prepared for this weekend.”
The team’s first state game will take place on Saturday, July 20, against Frederick Little League in Waldorf at 10 a.m.
If Berlin wins, the team will play again at 4 p.m. If the boys lose on Saturday they will compete on Sunday.
11-12 League:
The 11-12 Berlin All-Star team had a good run, but lost to Fruitland in Berlin on Sunday, 6-4.
The team defeated Delmar in Berlin, 10-0, last Friday during the semifinals, but lost in the district championship.
“Baseball is a game of failure,” Coach Derrick Berzonski said. “I’ve lived through it several times so I told those kids this: ‘The loss of the game you will remember, but the emotions will fade. The excitement from goofing off at practice and kids being kids will still be there.’”
The team began its district run with a 3-1 win over West Salisbury in Berlin on July 3. On July 6, the boys shut out Delmar in Berlin, 6-0.
As teams continue to travel for games and reach regionals or possibly nationals, donations will be needed for transportation and hotel costs. To donate to the Berlin Little League All-Star teams, a check can be written to Berlin Little League at P.O. Box 514, Berlin, Maryland 21811.