Greenville West Side wins Babe Ruth state title, makes program history

By Garrett Rasko-Martinis | The Jersey Journal
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on August 02, 2016 at 7:00 AM, updated August 02, 2016 at 8:38 AM
Andrew Rakoski, head coach of the Greenville West Side 14-year-old All-Star team, knew he had a good team on paper. The question was if the team could carry it to the field. Against traditional powers like Cranford and Hillsborough, the "G-Dubs" had their work cut out for them in the Babe Ruth Northern New Jersey tournament at their home Metro Field in Jersey City last month.

But they shook off losses to both opponents during pool play to defeat them when it mattered most, winning the first-ever Babe Ruth state title in Greenville West Side program history.

"We've had that trophy ceremony many times, where someone comes into our house and gets the trophy," Rakoski said. "It was nice to bring it home and keep it here."

The squad advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament in Atlantic City. They were eliminated after going 0-4 in pool play, but were still excited by the opportunity to play in a prestigious tournament.

"I don't think anyone expected us to be there ? the stigma of Jersey City I suppose. But the kids competed and made us proud," Rakoski said. "For me, the most gratifying part was seeing their camaraderie and how they picked each other up in those games was special. It was a lot of fun and games outside the field, but it was all business when we took that field."

That ability to rebound after a tough loss proved invaluable in the state tournament. Greenville opened pool play with a tough 13-6 loss to Cranford, but rebounded immediately with victories over Randolph and Rutherford.

The team was then faced with essentially a meaningless game against Hillsborough ? Crandford clinched a bye to the championship, and Greenville and Hillsborough were already set up to play for the other finals berth in the next round. After a 12-0 loss to close pool play, Rakoski had some fears about his team being able to rebound and play Hillsborough again with the finals on the line. But Greenville showed their toughness as a 7-3 victory paved the way for a championship appearance.

More

Max Tyler | The Jersey Journal

What does a team take away from a victory that was never in question?

Greenville West Side suffocated Warren, 13-2, in their final contest of pool play in the 2014 Northern New Jersey State Babe Ruth 15U Tournament last night at Metro Field.

For Greenville head coach Steve Peisecki, that answer is simple.

?To advance to the finals we need to play a little better than this,? Peisecki said. ?We did what we could but we have to step it up.?

The state tournament, which began last Friday, is being hosted by Metro Field and Jersey City for the first time ever.

Hudson Catholic freshman Matthew Sicard manned the mound for Greenville last night. In one of his more modest outings, he lasted three innings while giving up two runs.

Warren (0-3) held Greenville (3-1) scoreless in the first inning. But Greenville unloaded in the second, scoring seven runs behind the bats of Lincoln junior right fielder William Smalls and Snyder sophomore center fielder Dante Santana. They led 7-2 after two.

Santana finished 3-for-4, just a home run of the cycle, and he also stole two bases. Smalls finished 2-for-3 on the evening.

For Santana, he?s more concerned about what lies ahead.

?Playing hard will be the key,? he said. ?We?re going to have to play hard and not give up. We?re also going to have to show up defensively.?

A a team that has won their district three years in a row, Greenville has its eyes on the bigger prize this year.

With the win, Greenville has a chance to make history.

More