FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Reds Repeat as Regional Champions
The Columbia Reds, 16 and under, won the 2006 Junior Division NABF Sykesville Regional on Sunday. The Reds defeated the Columbia Red Storm in the final game, 3-1. This is the first time since 1990 that a Maryland Organization has repeated as Regional NABF champions in the same age group. The 2005 Reds were one game of claiming the organization’s first national title since 2001 but lost to the Silver City Sluggers (IN) in the title game.
The 2006 version of the Reds return 3 players from the 2005 team: Casey Mediary (Howard ’07), Bryan Wyman (Long Reach ’07), and Kevin O’Brien (Long Reach ’07). The team will begin the National tournament on Thursday in Northville, MI. As a note, Mediary tied the national record for batting average at the 2005 tournament at age 15.
The regional was won by great pitching performances throughout the weekend with Reds allowing only 2 uns in the tournament. The Regional began with 2 shootouts on the first day by Matt Zairn (Howard ‘08) and Bobby Kirby (Loyola –Blakefield ’08). Kirby actually threw a 45 pitch shorten no-hitter to start the tournament in a 10-0 victory over the South Brooklyn Badgers. Ben Winter (Centennial ’08) was the winning pitcher for the championship game. Ben was help by a great relief perform by O’Brien and Ryan Engelking (DeMatha ’08). The Red’s offense was started by a solo home run by Wyman in the 4th and the game winning RBI came by a single by Santino Rosanova (DeMatha ’08) scoring Brian DaVilla (Howard ’08). Defensively the team was lead by the middle infield of Brock McCallister (DeMatha ’08) and Chris Cook (DeMatha ’09). Matt Bryan (Atholton ’07) lead the tournament in stolen bases and Marcus Flores (DeMatha ’09) lead the Reds in hitting. The Reds advance the championship game with 6-1 victory pitched by Stephen Bulcher (Marriot’s Ridge ’08).
Information
Coaches: Sean O’Connor (DeMatha), Tim O’Brien (Long Reach) and Stephen Seh
Reds website: www.eteamz.com/columbiareds
NABF National Schedule:
Thursday – July 27, 2006
Noon at Northville HS - vs. Northville Broncos (MI)
Friday- July 28, 2006
9 am at Northville HS- vs. Kinect Nationals (OH)
6 pm at Ford Field - vs. Toronto Mets (Canada)
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