ORANGE, NJ – The Jersey City Sharks captured the 4th Annual Monte Irvin Giants Wood Bat Championship with an 5-4 victory over the Lodi Rams at Monte Irvin field at Central Playground. The Sharks went 3-1 in the tournament winning the Championship for the second time in four years.
Edgar Martinez, the Championship Game MVP, was dominant on the mound for Jersey City against a loaded Rams team. But right from the beginning, Edgar was in complete control as Lodi scored two in the seventh to make the game close.
The Monte Irvin Giants went 0-3 in the tournament. “This year we were really young,” said Monte Irvin Giants Head Coach John Boykin. “We played our young guys up to see how they would respond playing against older, more experienced players. And for the most part, we played competitive baseball. But we just couldn’t get the timely hitting.”
In addition to the Monte Irvin Giants, participating teams included the Camden Braves, Lodi Rams, Philadelphia Black Sox and the Jersey City Sharks.
“Coming into championship Sunday, most people thought Lodi would run away with the championship,” said Wally Boyett, Tournament Director and Orange High School varsity head baseball coach. “But you can’t count out Jersey City. They have been to four consecutive tournament championship games and Edgar was in complete control.”
Tournament results:
Saturday, July 28
Jersey City Sharks 5, Monte Irvin Giants 2
Camden Braves 14, Philly Black Sox 6
Lodi Rams 10, Jersey City Sharks 5
Monte Irvin Giants 2, Camden Braves 4
Philly Black Sox 1, Lodi Rams 4
Sunday, July 29
Monte Irvin Giants 3, Philly Black Sox 8
Camden Braves 3, Jersey City Sharks 9
Lodi Rams 10, Philly Black Sox 0
Lodi Rams 4, Jersey City Sharks 5
Past Tournament Championship Game Results:
2017 – Monte Irvin Giants 8, Jersey City Sharks 5
2016 – Monte Irvin Giants 4, Jersey City Sharks 0
2015 – Jersey City Sharks 8, Philly Black Sox 4
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