It was a historic ride for the Palisades Waves, a local Bronco 12U All-Star team, which traveled to upstate New York for the Cooperstown Dreams Tournament last week and advanced further than any PPBA team ever has at the national competition. Coach Joe Collins’ squad won nine straight games to reach the semifinals, tying for third out of 104 teams nationwide.
In the skills competition, Alec Morrison took third in the home run derby (foreshadowing a week in which he hit nine homers) and Jake Moore won the Golden Arm competition (throwing at a target from center field).
Palisades won its pool play opener against the Sacred Heart (NJ) Angels 7-4, then beat Easton of Birmingham (AL) 11-1.
On Monday, Palisades beat the Northbrook (IL) Stars 7-1 and the Sudburry (MA) Ravens 17-2. Tuesday brought victories over the Waldo Thunder (18-6) and Dallas Dodgers (19-13). Against Dallas, Palisades began with seven straight hits (one a grand slam) and Cooper Robinson got three ground ball outs on five pitches to preserve the win.
“Dallas was a very good hitting team — we never really felt comfortable even with the big lead,” Collins said. “Alec Morrison and Griffin Milner did a good job throwing strikes and trusting the defense. We tacked on two runs in the top of the sixth to go up 19-13. Then Cooper Robinson got three ground ball outs on five pitches. That was a big win. Suddenly we were 6-0 and felt we might have something special.”
In Wednesday’s round of 32, Jack Hassett pitched a two-hitter in a 5-1 win against WM9 from Greensboro (NC). Joe Grode and Hassett homered in Thursday’s 10-7 triumph over the Huegenot Huskies of Richmond, VA. Morrison homered twice and Robinson and Milner combined for a 5-1 quarterfinal win versus the Pine Bush (NY) Bombers.
Palisades finally fell 12-5 to the Las vegas Rascals in the semifinals.
“We were down 5-4 in the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded and one out,” Collins said. “Cooper Morrow absolutely killed a ball. It knocked over the pitcher but he bounced up for a 1-2-3 double play. I think about what might have been if that ball goes through…”
Rounding out the Palisades All-Stars were Charlie Collins, Matt Closson, Lane Johnson, Ryan Kennedy and Will Lawrence.
Morrison batted .655 with 24 RBIs and 18 runs scored, Hassett hit .565, Moore hit .538 and Robinson hit .500. Grode hit four homers. Johnson, Moore and Robinson each hit two. Hassett was 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA, Milner was 2-0 with a 3.69 ERA and Robinson was 1-0 with two saves.
“There were a few tears after the final out, but there were quickly a lot of smiles,” Collins said. “The boys knew what we’d accomplished. We went two rounds further than the 2009 and 2010 teams and finished third. It’s an incredible result for a neighborhood baseball league and our team had as much fun with the families off the field as we did on. Good baseball. Great kids. Best week ever for a PPBA team!”
— Steve Galluzzo
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