The Merillon Sharks 10U travel team won the Williston Park Mayor’s Trophy Tournament Championship this past Saturday night in front of a packed house at Kelleher Field. The Sharks went undefeated in tournament play.
The road to the championship was not an easy one for the Sharks with an opening game against Williston Park which needed extra innings to break a 0-0 tie. Strong Pitching performances by Vincenzo Montoni, Matthew Strocchia and Franco Dimilta kept the opposing bats in check, with the Sharks’ bats coming alive in extra innings to secure the victory.
The Sharks second game matched them up against Albertson-Herricks L.L. Merillons’ bats were alive once again with strong performances by Michael Femia, Allesandro Gullo, Adrian Balkcolm, Danny McClellan and John Vlantis helping to assure a Merrillon win.
In the Sharks third match-up of the tournament they faced a very tough Manhasset squad loaded with offensive weapons. Fortunately for the Sharks, Abidin Dauti was on the hill this day and he pitched a gem. Vincenzo Montoni closed the game out for the Sharks earning a well-deserved save. Merillon offensive stars included Allesandro Gullo with four runs scored, Paul DePaulis with a long double, Matt Merolla with some hard hit balls, Chris Piccirillo with three hits and Phil Schurr with some nice swings and a strong game behind the plate as catcher.
With the win the Sharks advanced to the Championship game against Manhasset again, who on Friday night defeated a strong East Williston team, in extra innings.
Manhasset came to play, but the Sharks pitching trio of Vincenzo Montoni, Matthew Strocchia and Chris Piccirillo combined with Phil Schurr behind the plate settled down and got some key strikeouts. Infielders Allesandro Gullo, Matt Merolla and Adrian Balkcolm flashed the leather for the Sharks, while John Vlantis, Paul DePaulis, Abidin Dauti, Justin Yang, Franco Dimilta and Danny McClellan all had strong performances at the plate.
A total team effort led to a Sharks victory and the raising of the Mayor’s Trophy by manager Vinny Montoni. The impressive prize will take its well-deserved spot in the trophy case at Merillon.
Coach Montoni credited the boys for their hard work at practice which put them in a position to hang tough against quality opponents. He also thanked his coaching staff of Artie Gullo, Anthony Merrolla and Phil Schurr. All the boys and coaches wanted to thank the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, family and friends who came out to the games to cheer the Sharks on to victory at this well run and most enjoyable tournament.
