The KUBA Knights overcame lackluster pool play to storm to the 12U Fall Harvest championship.
By Rich Bevensee
The KUBA 12U Knights were disgusted with their execution and effort at the conclusion of the first day of the Fall Harvest tournament at Diamond Nation in Flemington.
The Knights committed five errors and allowed the Diamond Jacks Super 12U squad to rally from four runs down in the final inning to steal a come-from-behind win.
Something had to change, and fast, if the 1-1 Knights were to make a strong showing in the playoffs the next day.
“That was not KUBA baseball,” said KUBA’s Hank Bright. “We were obviously too relaxed with a big lead.”
KUBA coach Kevin Ahern reminded his players that it wasn’t too late to get their train back on the tracks. They were clearly paying attention.
On Sunday, the Knights exacted revenge on the Diamond Jacks by dispatching the host club in the semifinals, and continued that momentum with more clean baseball in the championship game.
With Bright throwing a complete-game four-hitter and going 3-for-4 at the plate, the third-seeded Knights whipped top-seeded Bucks County Generals Black, 10-2, to win the 12U Fall Harvest title on Sunday evening at ‘The Nation.’
“Today we came out, put the bat to the ball and played sharp defense,” Bright said. “Everyone was locked in and everyone contributed.”
KUBA, or Kennett Unionville Baseball Association of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, captured its first championship in its first title game appearance of the fall campaign and improved to 13-3 overall.
“I’d like to think the loss (to the Diamond Jacks) was a factor,” Ahern said. “I’d like to think it’s sinking in with these guys that while losses like that are disappointing, you have to put your best foot forward. We knew we were going to be in a position to play for a title today. It’s a good learning experience.”
Mikey Miguel earned Most Valuable Player honors for the Knights after going 6-for-10 with a home run, a double and a team-high seven RBI over the weekend. Miguel, who overcame some recent offensive struggles, had a two-run single in the championship game.
“I was in a slump before this, about 2-3 weeks ago,” Miguel said. “I was in my head and now I’m out of it. I just forgot it and went out there and played baseball.”
Miguel also provided some unexpected pitching depth for the Knights. In order for Ahern to line up the Knights’ staff so their hardest thrower, Bright, could be slotted in the final, they handed the ball to little-used Miguel to start the tournament rotation.
Miguel responded with a four-inning, three-hit shutout with three strikeouts in a 10-0 pool victory over the Philly Bandits.
“I was surprised when I was asked,” Miguel said. “I usually don’t pitch but I was ready for the challenge. I was locked in, definitely. Big shout-out to my team because they played good defense behind me.”
“Mike had a tremendous weekend,” Ahern said. “We called on him yesterday and he pitched very well and got us off on the right foot. He’s been locked in all weekend.”
After beating the Bandits, KUBA raced to an 8-4 lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning in their pool game against the Diamond Jacks. The hosts scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to swipe a 9-8 victory.
The Knights were a different team in the playoffs. A five-run fourth inning was too much for the Diamond Jacks to overcome in a 9-4 Knights semifinal win.
Mikey Miguel of the KUBA Knights was named 12U Gold Fall Harvest MVP.
In the championship game, the Knights scored the first six runs of the game and never looked back against the Generals, who were making their fourth finals appearance of the fall but left Diamond Nation still looking for their first title.
Much of the Generals’ setback was due to the efforts of Bright, whose fastball ticked 65 mph on the radar gun and hovered in the low 60s even in the sixth and final inning.
Generals coach Pat Devlin was asked what was necessary for the team to take the next step and claim tournament hardware.
“I think it’s the adjustment to the velo when we get to the final,” Devlin said. “Through the weekend we’re on guys and we get to the final game and their guy was in the mid-60s. To go from 58-59-60 to hitting 65 is really difficult. I don’t think it’s anything we need to do. Obviously we’ll continue to train and get used to that velo, but it’s more about the other teams we’re running up against in the finals. They’re very, very talented.
“I still believe our guys are going to play very well. I’m proud of the way they battled.”
Bright danced around a few rough spots but he was otherwise in command of the game from the outset. He gave up an RBI single to Larry Scheetz in the third inning and a solo home run to Mason Barlow in the fourth. Bright struck out eight, including the last two batters to clinch the title.
“I felt pretty strong. I came out today and said, let’s play baseball,” Bright said. “I was throwing a curveball and for lefties I’d throw in a changeup. The curveball was working good. The fastball, too. Blowing it by them.”
“It doesn’t get much better than Hank at this age,” Ahern said. “He throws hard, he can work ahead, and he’s intimidating. We manage our pitching really well. We had our guy available for this game and it worked out well for us.”
Bright was a force at the plate as well over the weekend. In three games he went 5-for-8 with two homers, a double, five RBI and four runs scored.
Also for the Knights, Justin Andris singled, doubled, drove in a run, scored twice and played tremendous defense at shortstop. Jose Cintron and Cameron Monaco each had two hits, Jayden Gonzalez singled and drove in two runs, and Bryce Sanford had an RBI double.