The defending AABC National Champions and 2013 Twilight League regular season champion Albany Athletics (38-9 overall/22-2 ATL) successfully defended its North Atlantic Regional crown with a 16-4 route of League rival Blue Slate in the championship of the Regional Tournament.
Tournament MVP Kyle Baldani doubled in a run in a 4-run first inning then later singled in a run to help the Athletics win their 2nd straight Regional crown and return to the AABC National World Series. Baldani finished the tournament 6-for-11 with 5 RBI.
In the final game, the A’s built an 8-1 lead but Blue Slate got to within 8-4. However, A’s lefthander JJ Pearsall relieved starter Shawn Ryan with two runners on and retired the next two batters to end the threat.
In the bottom of the 5th, the A’s responded with 4 runs thanks to Kevin Quaranto’s 2-run single and Derick Horn’s RBI single to make it 12-4. The A’s didn’t look back, getting a 2-run single from Horn and RBI singles from Baldani and Jason Martin in the 6th to open the game further.
Albany also got blowout wins over North Haledon (NJ), 13-1 in the 3rd round, and 8-2 over Blue Slate in the 2nd round. In the tournament opener, Bill Lawton was spectacular fanning 12 batters and throwing a 2-hit shutout as the A’s nipped the Westchester Hawks 1-0 scoring in the final inning on an infield error.
Against North Haledon, Tim O’Connor hit a 2-run HR while Jason Martin, Mike Allen and Baldani each had 2 singles.
Against Blue Slate, Allen hit a 2-run homer while Jayson Sullivan and Baldani each had 2 singles.
It was the 6th time the A’s reached the Regional Championship including the 4th straight. Albany will travel to Farmingdale to compete in their 3rd World Series on Thursday, August 8th.
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