New Jersey Beats Sherman Park In Regional Baseball

CRANSTON, R.I. – Sherman Park experienced a first on Saturday – a loss.

Holbrook (N.J.) scored all of its runs in the first two innings and held off Sherman Park, 5-2, in the first game of pool play at the Little League Baseball Minor’s East Region.

Sherman Park has Sunday off and will return to the diamond at 7:30 p.m. Monday against Delaware.

Sherman Park was 11-0 entering play Saturday.

“The boys had good spirits but I think they were surprised because it was their first loss of the summer,” Sherman Park Manager John Pugni said. “We said the only way we can lose is if we beat ourselves.”

Holbrook scored twice in the first inning, on three consecutive singles with two outs, and added three more in the second inning. Sherman Park answered with a run each in the first and second innings. Sal Nardone singled home Domenick Fensore in the first inning and Kyle Saul scored on an error in the second inning.

In the third inning, Stephen Donato hit a ball into the gap in right center field, but Pugni said the Holbrook center fielder made a great catch, saving two runs.

The two runs scored was Sherman Park's lowest single-game total of the summer.

Pugni said his team had the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth with one out, but the Holbrook pitcher worked his way out of it.

“We don’t have to worry about double elimination because we have three more games left,” Pugni said. “We are going to come back, play baseball, have fun and enjoy this week as New York State champions.”

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