Greenville American baseball heads to Cal Ripken regionals after claiming first-ever state title

Garrett Rasko-Martinis | The Jersey Journal




The players on the Greenville American 12U baseball team have been playing together for more than three years. They're not just talented, they also have a level of chemistry that can only be obtained through shared experience on the field.

That familiarity paid dividends earlier this month as the Jersey City-based team went undefeated in the Cal Ripken state tournament to clinch the first state title in Greenville American history and punch a ticket to the upcoming regional tournament in Waynesboro, Pa.

"This team, they've played for three years together as a travel team in the fall," head coach Jose Mercado said. "They all know their weaknesses and their strengths and they did a good job playing together as a team."

Greenville started its tournament run with a 9-3 victory over Clifton before shutting out Union City, 12-0 in the second game. After defeating Monroe 6-4, Greenville clinched a berth in the championship against the same Monroe team they just defeated.

But the second meeting went much differently. Greenville jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but found themselves in a 7-4 hole in the fifth inning when Mercado called on AJ Cleveland in relief. The pitcher faced six hitters over the next two innings, and he struck out all six to keep his team alive.

Greenville responded with a two-run bottom of the fifth to set up a dramatic finish in the bottom of the sixth. With a runner on first and one out, shortstop Andy Antonio smashed a pitch over the fence for a walkoff two-run home run.

"It wasn't an easy game. Monroe was really good both times and gave us a real rough time," Mercado said. "That game was the best of the whole week."

Mercado, who is also coaching his son in outfielder Aaron Mercado, expects his team's deep pitching staff to continue leading the way in the regional tournament.

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