The South Orange-Maplewood Cougars 11U Red baseball team won the New Providence Gold League championship and finished its summer travel season with a record of 19-5-1. Back row standing from left are Coach JC Lorenzo, Matthew Motiwalla, Nico Reyes, Jake Gewirtz, Zach Johnson, Nick Williams, Coach Joe Doubek, Brandon Doubek, and Coach Rob Chibbaro. Middle row kneeling from left, Coach Ben Reyes, Nick Lorenzo, Dominick Starzynski, Charlie Herley, Alejandro Lorenzo, and Jack Kalsched. Front row sitting from left, Team Pet Wilson and Coach Eddie Starzynski. Not pictured is Alex Chibbaro.
SOUTH ORANGE/MAPLEWOOD – The South Orange-Maplewood Cougars 11U Red baseball team finished its summer travel season with a record of 19-5-1.
After kicking off the season with a Memorial Day Tournament win, the Cougars entered league and district play with high expectations.
The Cougars, in their second year of play in the New Providence Gold League, started their season by winning five of their first seven games, six of which were played in a five-day span. Jumping right into the district tournament, the Cougars would go 3-1 in pool play and advance to play Millburn in the district playoffs.
While they fell short against Millburn, they were challenged by their coach to respond by finishing their season strong. After the Millburn loss, the Cougars won their last seven games, including four wins by mercy and three shutouts. The Cougars would capture the New Providence Gold League championship, and were on their way to winning a USABL Tournament before being rained out and having the tournament canceled.
It was another strong season for a group that has been one of the most successful teams the program has had over the past few years. The team itself has won more than 100 games in four years, competing against the best competition in the state, as well as traveling out of state to compete in tournaments.
The Cougars will resume training this fall, and will look to prepare themselves for next summer where they will be the first team in the SOM Baseball program to travel to Cooperstown Dreams Park and participate in a weeklong tournament.
Be on the lookout for the Cougars around your town this fall raising money for the trip.
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