Central Amherst 12U tourney team crowned Connie Mack champs

The Central Amherst 12U tournament team won the Connie Mack tournament. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Patrick Yanity, Evan Thielman, Madison Maley, Matt MacDonald; second row - Nick Hillebrand; third row - Kevin Doherty, Christian Lampasso, Robert Rummings, Eddie Doherty, Michael Schake, fourth row - coaches Brian Maley and Jeff Schake; missing from photo - Jake Kruez and Paul Schmitt.

Central Amherst's 12U tournament team won the Connie Mack 12U tournament held from July 18 to 22.

Central Amherst played Cayuga on July 18 and won 13-11 with triples by Robert Rummings, Matt MacDonald and Paul Schmitt. Schmitt also had two great catches in right field. Christian Lampaso continued his great base running by stealing bases.

Central Amherst played the Tonawanda All Stars on July 20 and won 9-0, led by the strong pitching of Nick Hillebrand and MacDonald. Eddie Doherty hit a home run, Michael Schake had a double and a single and Jake Kruez added a single.

Central Amherst faced the same team in the semifinals and won 14-0 with strong pitching by Kevin Doherty. Madison Maley had a great defensive game at second base. Patrick Yanity led the team offensively with a double.

The championship game was held on Sunday against Cayuga with Central Amherst winning 20-0. Once again, the team had a great game all the way around with pitching, defense and some hot bats. Schake and MacDonald were the hot pitchers, Maley and Thielman made some great catches and Thielman and Rummings had the hot bats.