The two championship games on Father’s Day could not have been more different. In a crisp one-hour game, Walsh Properties dispatched their season-long rivals, Rockaway Pickleball & Golf, 6-1, to claim the Minor Girls title. Meanwhile, the Minor Boys finale was a high-scoring, rollercoaster affair with dramatic lead changes. Revived struck the decisive blow during last licks with a four-run rally to edge Class Act Photo 16-15.
Pickleball and Walsh were neck-and-neck early in the Minor Girls final, just as they were in the standings all season. The Walsh ladies broke it open with a third-inning outburst. Sania, Viv and Simone rapped consecutive hits with one out, followed by consecutive two-out knocks by Isabell, Lauren and Lexi. The rally produced four runs. After that, the bullpen shut it down. Kate Henry coached Walsh Properties. Frank Naccarato coached Rockaway Pickleball & Golf.
Few zeros were posted in the Minor Boys final as both Revived and Class Act were swinging hot bats. Backed by a couple of four-run frames, Revived – who led wire-to-wire in the regular season – seemed in control with an 8-6 lead after three. But Danny ripped a bases-loaded triple for Class Act in the fourth. When Revived replied with a single run, the game was knotted 9-9.
From there, the game see-sawed. Class Act went up 11-9 in the top of the fifth but Revived answered with three of their own. Trailing 12-11 going into the final frame, Class Act rallied for what seemed like a decisive blow, scoring four runs to take a 15-12 lead. However, Revived responded like champions, securing the game and the title by plating four with their backs to the wall. Nate McGuiness delivered the walk-off hit.
Pitchers Jack Brady, Liam Gatto, and Justin Youngberg worked hard on the mound for Revived, keeping the game competitive until the very end. Class Act was coached by Dan Repetti and John Hutton. Liz and Chris Gatto coached Revived Residential.
For full coverage, including more photos and videos from the championship games, go to https://rockawaytimes.com/rockaway-little-league-report.
