Katz win Lou Gehrig U13 Tournament

The Buffalo School of Baseball Katz came from behind to beat Lancaster, 5-4, for the Lou Gehrig Tournament title. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row Mike Wagner, Nick Galenti; second row Aaron Adams, Chris Bradley, Ricky Mendiola, Pat Maxwell, Billy Fitzhenry; third row coach Mike Wagner, Nick Schuh, David Seward, Coach Mark Seward, Daren Powers, Zack Derrico, Coach Paul Stasiak, Ron Lawrence, Paul Berrafato and Phillip Stasiak.

The Buffalo School of Baseball Katz showed why they are one of New York State's top U13 teams with an exciting, bottom of the seventh, come from behind 5-4 victory over Lancaster in the Lou Gehrig Tournament finals.

Things looked difficult for the seasoned Katz as they entered the bottom of the seventh down four runs. Lancaster pitcher Mroz continued his strong performance by retiring two batters and went ahead 0-2 on the next batter. But that is when the Katz started a two-out rally.

Zack Derrico, Nick Galenti, and Pat Maxwell all fought back from two strike counts to load the bases. Phil Stasiak's clutch two-strike single drove in the Katz's first two runs and building momentum. Lancaster walked Paul Berrafato to load the bases, hoping to create an easy force play. Clean-up hitter Ron Lawrence brought in Maxwell to make it a one run game. With the bases loaded, two outs, and down two strikes, Katz pitching ace Daren Powers hit a long two run double over the center fielder's head to cap an amazing comeback victory.

The Katz relied on solid pitching from Powers and Lawrence, a key at bat from Nick Schuh, and strong defense from Aaron Adams, Chris Bradley, and Ricky Mendiola to keep their winning chances alive.

Lancaster started the game with three runs on consecutive doubles by Jerge, Braun, Frankger, and a big hit from Mrozek. Justin Juda drove in their fourth run in the sixth.

This was the third tournament championship for the Katz who ended their season with a 38-6 record at U13 play and a 45-10 overall record against combined U13/14 year old teams from around the region.

Semifinals

Katz 14 Concord 3 Aaron Adams pitched a masterful game for the Katz, holding Concord at bay through four innings as the Katz's bats exploded to secure a trip to the finals.

Adams did not give up an earned run and allowed only one hit before handing the pitching duties to Mike Wagner to close the game.

Dave Seward, Chris Bradley, and Pat Maxwell had big games at the plate and Nick Galenti and Bill Fitzhenry made big defensive plays. Catcher Chris Bradley's solid play and pitch calling behind the plate stopped any potential Concord rally.

Game 3

Katz 6 NFalls Cyclones 4

Two of WNY's premier U13 teams matched up for yet another great game.

The Cyclones took an early 3-0 lead on a long three-run home run by Mike Wagner in the first inning. Ron Lawrence's double drove in Pat Maxwell for the first Katz run in the first.

In the second, consecutive singles by Seward and Chris Bradley and an Aaron Adams sacrifice bunt allowed the Katz to score on a Maxwell hit. Phil Stasiak's two out double drove in two more runs and Paul Berrafato's single drove in the fifth run in the inning. Lawrence, Mendiola, and Wagner each had key hits and at bats in the game.

Daren Powers once again threw five strong innings on the mound before turning the game over to Lawrence to close the victory and hold Niagara Falls to only six hits.

Game 2

Katz 7 Thunderhawks 3

Paul Berrafato and Mike Wagner threw a combined three-hitter and struck out 11 batters as the Katz handed Lancaster their first loss of the tournament.

Katz's constant pressure, aggressive base running, and key hitting allowed them to score two runs in each of the first three innings to gain the early lead. Daren Powers, Dave Seward, Phil Stasiak, Berrafato, and Lawrence continued their strong hitting as Aaron Adams, Nick Galenti, and Billy Fitzhenry anchored a stubborn Katz defense. Lancaster fielders Wezka, Juda, Rindo, and Jerge played solid games for the Thunderhawks.

Game 1

Katz 9 Lou Gehrig 3

It was a classic pitchers duel between Katz ace Daren Powers and Lou Gehrig's Matt Bauman for the first three innings as both teams played to a scoreless tie.

In the fourth, Ron Lawrence, who went 4 for 4 in the game, started the inning off with a hard single to left. It was the first of four successive hits - Lawrence, Powers, Chris Bradley and a two-run double by Dave Seward. Lou Gehrig responded with two runs on a key double by AJ Pellerite, who drove in Bauman and Elliot.

The Katz bats started to explode in the fifth as Lawrence drove in two more runs after Maxwell and Stasiak singled. Bradley's single capped the three-run inning.

The sixth inning had more Katz firepower as the Katz scored four more runs on singles from Aaron Adams, Maxwell, Stasiak, Lawrence, and a long three-run triple by Paul Berrafato. Billy Fitzhenry went on the mound after Powers to shut down a strong Lou Gehrig team.

Katz highlights from the 2006 season include champions of the WNY Travel League with a 15-1 record, champion at U14 CAN/AM Classic at GNBL, WNY ECC Classic, and Lou Gehrig Tournament, semifinalist at Mel Ott U14 Extravaganza Tournament and finalist at Lew-Port Tournament.