Mario Cottrell, Jr. beats out first-inning grounder to launch a 3-for-3 day for Wild Athletics.
By Sean Reilly
With exceptional speed to go with his ability to make contact, Mario Cottrell Jr. is a catalyst out of the leadoff spot for Wild Athletics.
It’s a role that he loves. And on Wednesday afternoon at Diamond Nation, the Class of 2025 player from Millville High School had a chance to have some extra fun, since he twice came to bat with runners in scoring position.
He made the most of it all, going 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI as Wild Athletics rallied from a six-run deficit to beat Tri-State Arsenal 2025 South Jersey, 11-8, at the Super 17/18U Garden State Invitational in Flemington.
“I had to lock in for my team and get on base,” he said. “I had to go with the flow. I love it. It’s a blessing.”
The win completed a 3-1 showing at the tournament for Wild Athletics. The South Jersey team finished strong after losing its first game in the 10-team tournament. Wild Athletics was one of five clubs in the field to finish with a winning record, and those teams all qualified for the Super 17 Top 25 Showcase from Aug. 12-15 at ‘The Nation.’
It happened for Wild Athletics despite falling behind, 6-0, in the top of the first against Tri-State Arsenal 2025 South Jersey.
The big opening inning for Tri-State saw all of the scoring occur with two out.
Rocco Lacevita singled in the first run, Luke Whitmore hit a two-run single, two more crossed on wild pitches and Gabe Whitney added an RBI single.
Cottrell began the bottom of the first by beating out a grounder to shortstop. He moved to second on a pickoff attempt error and then stole third. Marcellas Preston then hit an RBI groundout to first and the comeback was officially underway.
According to Cottrell, getting one run was subtle, but also significant.
“We were down six runs,” he said. “I had to get on and set a tone for my team.”
Wild Athletics struck for six runs in the bottom of the second to take a 7-6 lead.
Travis Jenkins led off with a single to left field, and Damon Davis followed with a walk. The runners moved up on a passed ball before Xavier Cochran was retired on a safety squeeze that delivered Jenkins. Max Richter then drove in Davis on a pitcher-to-first ground out.
With the bases clear, Damion Rodriguez and Mason Clark drew consecutive walks. Rodriguez stole third to put runners on the corners for Cottrell. He followed with an RBI single to center to get his team within 6-4.
Matt Laser scores on a wild pitch for Tri-State Arsenal 2025 South Jersey.
Preston walked to load the bases for Caleb Hoffman, and he unloaded a grounds rule double to right field that brought in two runs to tie the game.
Gabe Reif was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Jenkins walked to score Preston with the go-ahead run.
Tri-State countered with two runs in the third to go back in front, 8-7.
Whitmore walked with one out, and Matt Laser followed with a single to center. Whitmore scored from third when Shawn Taylor beat out a grounder to third. Laser came home on a wild pitch to forge the 8-7 lead for Arsenal.
Wild Athletics went ahead for good with three runs in the bottom of the third.
Richter led off with a single and Rodriguez followed with a bunt hit. Pinch hitter Blake Konschak walked to load the bases for Cottrell, and he hit a two-run single to left field. Cottrell later scored when Preston reached on a dropped third strike.
Wild Athletics scored its final run in the fourth. Reif led off with a double and was replaced on the bases by Anthony Nanni, who scored from third on error after advancing on a ground out.
Cottrell was the only player in the game to finish with multiple hits. For the tournament, he was 6-for-11 (.545) with seven runs.
“We had our heads down after that first inning,” he said. “We had to pick each other up, and we showed our character to not give up and come back.”