With a 7-4 victory over Haddonfield in North Vineland on Sunday, Upper Township-Ocean City became the first Cape May County team ever to win a Sectional title in Little League competition.
The squad is now among four surviving teams who will compete for a state title and a chance to stay alive in the hunt for a trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
Teams from Margate and Ventnor in Atlantic County won sectional titles in the 1960s and 1970s, but no Cape May C0unty team has traveled so far in the Little League tournament, according to
New Jersey State Little League results.
The team is made up of all-stars from the six teams of the Ocean City-Upper Township league (three from each town). They have played 14 games together and captured a District 16 title (Cape May and Atlantic counties) on the way to the Sectionals.
"We've just tried to play good defense," Coach Greg Brady said. "We took one game at a time and never left ourselves exposed."
Because Little League restricts the number of pitches young arms can throw and even the number of innings kids can play catcher (if they also pitch), Brady said team versatility is essential.
In Sunday's sectional game, Gannon Brady was the starting pitcher. He had 10 strikeouts as pitcher and a home run, double and single at the plate. Eric Greenling hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning — his seventh home run of post-season. Brian Furey pitched in relief to get the final five outs of the game. Brock Mercado hit a sacrifice fly. Luke Bowman, who has started all 82 innings of the tournament, led off with a single.
The complete lineup for the team is as follows:
- Gannon Brady
- Eric Greenling
- Joe Gallagher
- Brock Mercado
- Luke Bowman
- Brian Furey
- John Lloyd
- M.J. Ginn
- Nick Troiano
- Gavyn Fox
- Jake McKenna
- Todd Reimet
- Isaac Eberly
Frank Fumo and Joe Furey assist Brady in coaching. The team plays next at 6 p.m. Wednesday (July 23) in Berkeley Township (Ocean County), a neutral field. Toms River, Somerset Hills and Wood Ridge/Moonachie will also compete in the double-elimination state tournament.
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