Sports

Bensalem Ramblers Travel to Hatboro for Sectionals Saturday

The 12 & under travel baseball team will challenge three other teams for the sectionals title. The winner advances to the state tournament at the University of Pittsburgh's Bradford campus.

The Bensalem Ramblers 12 & Under travel baseball team's District 21 championship  win had all the drama you would expect to see out of a major league playoff: Up against a major local rival, down three runs in the first and the rest of the season on the line.

"Middletown had three runs with bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the first," said coach Al Costello. "Next thing you know, our catcher picks off the third base runner, and the next batter hits into a double play."

Armed with the attitude that they are never out of a game until the final out, the Ramblers battled back and overcame Middletown, 6-5, and took home the championship.

"Middletown has kicked us out of the district tournament the past two years," said coach Al Costello. "They really wanted this one."

The victory over Middletown kicked over a major hurdle, but the players didn't waste much time celebrating.  They kept their game faces on as they prepared for this weekend's start to the sectionals tournament in Hatboro. They will go up against three other teams in a five-day tournament, with the winner going to the state championship tournament at the University of Pittsburgh's Bradford campus.

They will take the field located at Blair Mill and County Line roads Saturday at 1 p.m. against Ridley Township. Costello says both teams are pretty evenly matched, having split a doubleheader earlier this season. The Ramblers will also have to get past teams from Great Valley and Hatfield to earn a trip to the states.

The pressure is on for the squad, but Costello says this is exactly the type of situation the boys have been preparing for since last September.

"They have practiced three or four times a week for almost a year," said Costello. "Fall ball lasts until October, then from December until March they practice indoors until the spring season starts."

The travel team requires a major commitment, not only from the players, but the parents as well. Costello credits the parents for working together to make sure all the players can keep up with the rigorous schedule.

"They change work schedules when they can," he said. "If parents can't make a weekend tournament, another family will step in and help get the player to the games. It's very team-oriented from the top down."

Bensalem Ramblers 12 & under roster:
# 1. Evan Kirby 
# 3. Brendan Sullivan
# 6. Nick Dean
# 7. Andrew Costello
# 11. Joe Baranoski
# 13. Jared O'Connell
# 14. Stephen Aldrich
# 18. Jack Lawson
# 22. Dominic Grady
# 24. Andrew Sicinski
# 28. Trevor Giwerowski
# 34. Keith Rooney


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