Pablo Santos was asked how he felt about his Greenville National Cal Ripken League All-Star team that was just eliminated from the Eastern Regional tourney in Waynesboro, Pa. last weekend.
“To have this team go to the regional championships for the very first time means a lot,” Santos said. “And we had to play with adversity as well. We grew as a team and more importantly, we went there and competed with the others there. That’s what makes me the most proud.”
The Greenville National All-Stars of Jersey City achieved something that no other team from the league ever accomplished. They won the District 6 title, the Section 2 crown and the overall New Jersey state championship before going off to Waynesboro for the Eastern Regional.
At the tourney, Greenville National lost their first two games to Kingsbridge of New York, 9-5, then 4-2 to Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania.
In the first game of the tourney, Greenville National was delivered a crushing blow, when standout third baseman Joel Vasquez was struck in the face with an errant throw.
“I think the shortstop was trying to tag the runner, then released the ball and didn’t see Joel there,” Santos said. “The ball hit our kid in the face.”
Vasquez, the team’s cleanup batter, was first taken to an area hospital, then transported back to Jersey City.
Needless to say, it was an emotional blow for the locals.
“Everyone was shaken by it,” Santos said. “The kid was hurt real bad. We were all worried for him. He’s okay now. He had stitches and his mouth is closed for a couple of weeks. We were coming back after being down in that game, then Joel gets hit. It happened so fast. I didn’t even see how it happened. Everyone was definitely down.”
But Greenville National showed its intestinal fortitude and inner strength to bounce back after the loss of their standout third sacker.
They defeated Warsaw of New York, 18-3, then defeated the Southern Jersey All-Stars, 4-3, before falling to the host squad Waynesboro in the elimination round, ending a great run.
“The way they came back after losing the first two games is what I’ll remember,” Santos said. “They really played their hearts out.”
Santos was blessed to have a deep and talented pitching staff to work with during the recent string of tournaments. With one game after another, Greenville National could not have advanced without having a slew of pitchers.
Andy Antonio, a promising right-hander, was the team’s top pitcher. He pitched the first game of the Eastern Regional, then bounced back to win the fourth game.
“Andy is a power pitcher who throws hard,” Santos said.
The team’s second pitcher is righty Emily Borowski. That’s right, Emily is a young lady who handles herself quite well with the boys. And she’s a right-handed pitcher like someone else with the same last name who was a local standout, namely former MLB standout closer Joe Borowski of Bayonne.
Emily Borowski made like her namesake and closed out Greenville National’s win over Southern Jersey, allowing Greenville National to advance to the championship round. It’s not known whether she is related to the former big league star.
“She was one of our top players,” Santos said. “She hit two home runs in the tournament. She was one of the best hitters in the tournament and did well pitching. She’s one of the main reasons why we got there. She just clicked and brought it in the tournament. The other managers looked at her real close because she was a girl, but she certainly gained a lot of attention and respect there.”
Alton Cleveland, the team’s lone lefty, was also a fine hurler.
“Alton was able to mix up his pitches well,” Santos said of Cleveland. “He can throw either slow or hard.”
Alan Sanchez is another of Greenville National’s top pitchers.
“He pitched the second game [at the Eastern Regional against Delaware Valley] and allowed only one hit,” Santos said.
Johnny Olacio and Aaron Mercado, both right-handers, rounded out the Greenville National pitching corps.
The team had two catchers in Jerome Banks and Bakari Murrain.
“Jerome handled the pitchers well and he was one of our power hitters,” Santos said. “He was our No. 3 hitter and hit two home runs in the tournament. He’s a good quality hitter. Bakari was our second catcher and he can catch a good game. He handles the pitchers real well. He’s also a good hitter.”
Denny Furcal is the team’s first baseman. Furcal also hit a homer in the tournament.
Sanchez and Ian Lee handled the second base chores. Lee also saw time in left field.
Antonio and Sanchez shared the shortstop duties. When one pitched, the other was at shortstop. After Vasquez was hit with the ball, Borowski and Olacio shared third base duties.
Lee and Olacio were in left field, with Cleveland in center.
“Cleveland is a good outfielder with a good arm,” Santos said. “He hit a grand slam against Warsaw.”
Jordan Chapman also saw time in centerfield.
Mercado and Olacio played in right field as well. It’s safe to say Olacio was clearly the team’s most versatile performer.
“He played all over the place,” Santos said. “He does all the little things you need.”
Yoskar Troche also saw time in right field.
Santos was aided by assistant coaches Sergio Oliviera, Jose Mercado and Luis Martinez.
Reggie Shivers, the league’s vice-president who was a fine football and baseball player in his day, accompanied the team and handled all the necessary organizational work.
“It was a great run by these kids,” Santos said. “They really handled themselves very well.”
Especially after seeing their teammate go down to injury before their eyes. That couldn’t have been easy for 12-year-old kids. So Greenville National’s All-Stars hold the distinction of being Cal Ripken district, section and state champions. Not a bad summer at all…
The Washington Park All-Stars lost twice to Livingston last weekend at the Little League Section 2 tournament in Secaucus, ending their chance of going to the New Jersey state championships by one game.
But there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Head coach George Lewis guided Washington Park to heights that the league had not seen in 46 years. That’s also something to be proud of. Congrats to Washington Park for a summer to remember…
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