The exciting, championship season of the 12U Nordonia Knights travel baseball team came to an end last week in Aberdeen, Maryland where the Knights competed against top teams from all over the United States in the Blue Crab Tournament at the Ripken Experience.
The Ripken Experience Aberdeen baseball facility and tournaments treats youth players like Big Leaguers as they make their way across replicas of some of the most notable MLB parks of the modern era.
The crown jewel among them, Cal, Sr.’s Yard, is a two-thirds scale replica of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. An on-site Marriott Hotel modeled after the storied B&O Warehouse in Baltimore overlooks right field and paints the backdrop of this one-of-a-kind youth baseball destination.
The Knights played games on ballfield replicas including Wrigley Field, Memorial Park, Citizens Bank Park and Nationals Park. They had a game under the lights on Cal Sr.’s Yard where they won in walk-off fashion against the Kenston Bombers (Geauga County, Ohio) thanks to a double down the left field line by Nolan Shirk in extra innings.
The Knights went 3-1 in pool play to earn the 8th seed in the gold bracket out of 25 teams in their age group. The Knights lost two games in pool play to teams from New York and Massachusetts by scores of 4-7 and 6-7. It was an emotional end to a storied season where the team finished 39-8-1 overall.
All eleven players made on-field contributions to the team. Collin Atha hit five homeruns with two in one game. Kyle Nealon pitched masterfully in two games giving the Knights a complete game in one, 10 innings for the week, and a total of 18 strike outs. Nealon also hit one homerun. Strong pitching performances were also had by Steven Fakult who gave up only 3 earned runs over 5 innings and Louie Papile who threw for a solid 7.1 innings.
On defense, JoJo Gaudio and Jacob Griffith were impenetrable making solid plays in the infield at key points in the game.
At the plate, contributions were made by Grant Lonczak (5 runs, 6 hits, 2 RBI), Karsen Fisher (2 runs, 4 hits, 2 RBI), Nolan Shirk (4 hits, 2 runs, 4 RBI), Hayden Shumacher (3 runs, 3 hits, 4 RBI) and Drew Roberts (2 runs, 3 hits, 2 RBI).
The boys received replica World Series rings customized to The Ripken Experience tournament.
Many of the boys are finishing a four-year run with the Knights that culminated with The Ripken Experience tournament in Aberdeen.
The Knights were crowned champs this season four times winning tournament championships in the Diamonds for Mom Tournament, the Nordonia Bash Tournament, the Northeast Ohio Baseball League Championship, and the Nations Baseball State Tournament.
The Knights were coached for four seasons by Greg Lonczak and Eric Fisher. They were managed by Andy Papile. During a very emotional last huddle, the three coaches expressed what an honor and privilege it was to coach such a great and talented group of young men who represented the Nordonia community in the very best way.
As these boys continue to grow as young men within the game, the future is bright for Nordonia baseball.
Photo Credit: Jason Roberts
For more pictures you can see Amy Fakult images: https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/nWqteDOKSBiCWqwTL7sPZw.-SFEsPZJAdKA6z-LckNIdV