By Sean Reilly
The Connecticut Wolfpack 10U Black closed out its summer season by competing over the weekend at Diamond Nation.
One player on the team, Zach Severo, is going to take advantage of the break by doing a rather cool thing – he’s about to vacation with his family in Paris.
That trip is sure to create lasting memories. But so will his trip to Flemington, N.J., to play with his team at the 10U August Showdown.
The Wolfpack had a fantastic showing, capping off an undefeated weekend with a 17-4, four-inning victory over Grit 10U Silver on Sunday.
Severo went 2-for-2 with an RBI walk and a three-run home run, which happened to be his first-ever. And aside from taking home a first-place medal along with the rest of his team, he also left ‘The Nation’ with the tournament MVP award.
Severo went 5-for-9 with nine RBI in the tournament. The Wolfpack totaled 50 hits overall while outscoring their four opponents, 67-9.
Severo was obviously thrilled by his performance, especially the home run, which sailed over the right-field fence at Field 6. It was also part of a 15-run bottom of the first inning, in which 18 batters came to the plate.
“I’m really happy because that was my first home run ever,” he said. “It was awesome. My summer was really good. I’m taking a break from baseball for a while and going on vacation, so this was a great way to end the baseball season.”
The Wolfpack wasted no time in taking control in the championship.
Grit 10U Silver did score in the top of the first, when leadoff man Evan Li led off with a walk, advanced on two wild pitches and scored on a two-out infield single from Leo Gogliormella.
But in the bottom of the inning, the first 10 Wolfpack batters not only reached, they all scored.
It started with singles by Charlie Almquist and Ryan Dominguez and a walk to Anthony Pappa that loaded the bases. Joey Mattei hit an RBI single on a ball that only travelled a few feet in front of the plate. Oliver Mejia hit a one-run single to center and Severo drew an RBI walk for a 3-1 lead.
Zach Severo of Connecticut Wolfpack 10U was named the 10U August Showdown MVP.
Michael Boates then hit a two run single to center and Matthew Anderson followed with an RBI hit to third. Connor Lynch drew a walk to load the bases.
A pitching change was followed by an RBI walk to Christian Hanson and one-run single to right by Robert Schneider for an 8-1 score.
The first out was recorded on a force at second which scored Lynch from third. Dominguez walked to reload the bases, and Pappa drew his second walk of the inning to score the 10th run. Mattei also drew an RBI walk, before Mejia drove in his second run while grounding out to shortstop.
Severo then delivered the biggest hit off the inning, his three-run shot for a 15-1 lead.
“That was a great feeling,” he said.
The Wolfpack added two more runs in the second, when Almquist hit a bases-loaded single to third and Dominguez supplied a sacrifice fly to center.
The game could have ended via the mercy rule in the top of the third, but Grit 10U Silver showed fight by scoring three times with two out to extend the game.
Ryan Danieli led off with a single, and after two strikeouts, Li reached on an error. Dom Valenzano followed with an RBI single before Ari Sherman delivered a two-run double.
The extension allowed Severo to bat one more time, and he hit a two-out single in the bottom of the third.
“This was a really great way to end the season,” he said.