Jacob Fisher launches a solo homer in the first inning for Ascent Athlete.
By Rich Bevensee
It was a show of raw power seldom seen inside the confines of Diamond Nation Field 2 in Flemington.
When Hank Bright blasted the first home run over the center field fence just 10 minutes into the game, it served as a warning shot for the Marlton Chiefs that the ensuing ballistic surge would last all afternoon.
Seven players rocked nine home runs for Ascent Athlete 12U-Richter of Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, in an 18-3 decision in the semifinals of the Ripken National Qualifier on Sunday at The Nation. Ascent Athlete’s victory set up a Ripken Regional championship game matchup opposite FB Braves 12U Red.
Bright, Ascent’s cleanup hitter, went 3-for-3 with three homers and five RBI. He was not partial to any particular sector of the field, homering to center field in the first inning, to left field in the third, and over the scoreboard in right in the fourth.
Jacob Fisher, Logan May, Luke Herley, Miles Morelli, Vince Milani and Hunter Falls – batting Nos. 3 through 9 in the lineup – each homered once for Ascent. Combined, Ascent’s longball crew drove in 17 of the team’s 18 runs.
“It’s fun because you know there’s never going to be a hole in the lineup,” Bright said. “It just keeps on moving so we get a lot of at bats. It’s a great thing knowing the team is going to put up a fight and be able to mercy a team like that.”
A seven-run first inning put Marlton on its heels from the outset. Morelli sparked the rally with an RBI single. After Bright’s two-run shot, Luke Herley added a two-run single before Fisher and May tacked on solo homers.
From left, Miles Morelli, Hank Bright, Vince Milani, Hunter Falls, Luke Herley, Jacob Fisher and Logan May all homered for Ascent Athlete in the Ripken Qualifier semifinals.
After a quiet second inning, Ascent reverted back to its longball weaponry. Two-run homers by Bright and Herley in the third gave Ascent an 11-1 lead.
In the fourth, four straight Ascent players sent the ball over the fence. Morelli crushed a three-run shot and Bright, Milani and Falls added solo shots.
“It’s fun to watch because I see all the hard work they put in,” said Ascent coach Steve Richter, who added that all 12 players on the roster have at least one home run this spring. “It’s all about hitting it hard, getting on base and knocking guys in. If it happens to be a home run, it’s a home run.”
With such power at his disposal, Richter was asked if he ever has to remind his players not to swing for the fences.
“All the time, every game, every inning,” Richter said. “It’s a good reminder because if you get home run happy they become pop ups.”
Ascent would eventually lose in the finals to Flores Baseball Braves Red, 10-2. It was Ascent’s fourth game of the day.
Marlton’s Ryan Fuller beats a throw to the bag where Ascent’s Miles Morelli takes the throw.
Before the final, Ascent steamrolled four opponents by a combined score of 57-15. In those four games, 10 players accounted for 22 home runs. Morelli led the team with five homers this weekend and Bright had four.
“It’s been a great experience, especially getting a shot at Cooperstown,” Bright said. “It’s been pretty fun and the facility is very nice.”
“This tournament is something different, very unique,” Richter said. “It gives them a lot of energy and juice. Gets them ready to play. We’ve been here multiple times to Diamond Nation but this is much different this time.”
Falls was terrific in quieting a potent Marlton lineup. He pitched all four innings for Ascent, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts. That was quite an achievement considering the Chiefs entered the semis having outscored three opponents 47-4.
Mason Hillman and Jackson Racobaldo each drove in a run for Marlton and Ryan Fuller scored twice.