DJacks Super 14U squad allowed four runs in five games en route to the Slugfest championship.

By Rich Bevensee

The tournament weekend began with an affirmation of how dominant the Diamond Jacks Super 14U offense is, even after emerging from a month-long break from baseball.

The weekend concluded with even more offense, but by the time the trophies were handed out, the biggest statement of all was made by the combination of pitching and defense, which has allowed the Diamond Jacks’ games to look so one-sided.

When Julian Mendez put the finishing touches on a three-inning, one-hit, 14-0 shutout of Bucks County Generals Black in the championship game, it served as the exclamation point to an overall dominant performance which enabled the Diamond Jacks to seize the 14U Slugfest title on Sunday evening at Diamond Nation in Flemington.

“We work really hard in every aspect in practice, we work together and that’s what happens,” said Mendez, who allowed one hit and two hit batsmen and struck out three. “When the offense is scoring, it gives me a lot of confidence to go out there and shove.”

In five games, the Diamond Jacks scored 53 runs and the pitching staff recorded a microscopic 1.29 ERA while holding five opponents to a combined four runs.

C.J. Scheier hit .600 and threw a three-inning no-hitter to earn the 14U Slugfest MVP award.

“To see them allow four runs in an entire tournament, especially in 13U or 14U, you’re always surprised to see it,” Diamond Jacks coach Luke Crawford said. “But top to bottom they all throw strikes. And when they do that, it puts them in a good spot in whatever count to throw whatever they want to throw.”

The weekend was bookended by a pair of shutouts, and in between, tournament MVP C.J. Scheier authored a three-inning no-hitter over Locked In Baseball Expos Black. 

“It means that we have some good arms and it’s good because the hitters can get the bats around and score some runs for us,” said Nick Penna, one of seven pitchers to carry the load this weekend. The others were Richie Adamczyk, Chase Samuelson, George Antivachis and Jace Hernandez. 

“We definitely love that we have run support,” Penna said.

Scheier’s no-hitter in pool play against Expos Black was only half his tournament story. He produced with the bat as well, going 6-for-10 with two doubles, a triple, and an inside-the-park home run against Expos Blue in the semifinals. He drove in seven runs and scored eight times.

“I’ve been hitting a lot in my garage with my dad (Chris),” Scheier said. “I’ve been seeing the ball really good, and because I get into those counts where they have to throw the fastball, I hit it every time. I expect it and I kind of read their mind.”

“He’s been on fire with the bat,” Crawford said. “I’ve had C.J. since he was on my 12U Gold team. I brought him up to 13U Super and he’s made a massive improvement. He’s an awesome baseball player. He gets bat to ball most of the time. He’s an awesome shortstop and when he commands his curveball he’s a dangerous pitcher.”

Bucks County had difficulty throwing strikes in the championship game but was still in the game after two innings, trailing 4-0.

The Diamond Jacks swung the bats and made the Generals pay for their pitching missteps in the third, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring 10 runs on three hits, five walks and four hit batsmen. 

Offensively for the Diamond Jacks, Hernandez and Luca Agosto both hit two-run doubles. Scheier, Mendez and Penna each had a two-run single.