15U Blue knock it out of the park

The Washington Township 15U Blue baseball team took home the New Jersey Mayhem United States Amateur Baseball League (USABL) Tournament Championship 15U East title last month. 

The team, made up of a group of thirteen boys, ages 15 and under, competed in the tournament the weekend of July 11. It was held at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. 

The weekend started off rocky for the boys. They played two games on Saturday, where they lost 10-1 to the TCS Blackhawks 15U White team from Bridgewater and lost 7-4 to the Falls Dirtbags 15U team from Fairless Hills, PA. 

However, the team rose to the occasion on Sunday. They began the day with a game against the BBYO Brooklyn Bandits from Brooklyn, NY, crushing them with a score of 13-0. 

Next, the team went back against the TCS Blackhawks. It was a close game, but the boys pulled through, winning with a score of 8-3. 

The championship game was between Washington Township and the Falls Dirtbags. 

“Knowing what kind of team they were up against, (they) came into the title game expecting a battle,” head coach Mike Demski said in an email. 

“After falling behind 4-0 through the first four innings, (our team) responded in spectacular fashion,” he said. “In the top of the fifth inning, the offense exploded for 10 runs, collecting nine hits while batting around the entire lineup. The incredible rally completely changed the momentum of the game and showcased the team’s resilience, determination, and ability to come through when it mattered most.” 

The team won the game with a victory score of 12-4, earning the championship title. 

“The moment the team won felt like all of our hard work, facing tough teams all season, paid off. The team deserved this championship because they never gave up,” Demski said. 

He noted the entire team had stellar performances. Pitchers Kane Napoleon and Liam Donnelly played three and four innings respectively; catcher Landyn LaFountain played all seven innings; Logan Rosenblatt, Michael Demski, Cainan Schoudt, Luke Speziali, Adam Trewin, Josh LaFountain, Ethan Rosenblatt, Donnelly and Napoleon all had clutch hits; and Shane Kennedy and Silas Bercute had multiple hits throughout the tournament. 

“I have been coaching this team since they were eight years old. It has been an honor to coach these boys, and we have made a lot of unforgettable memories,” Demski said. 

Demski began coaching for Washington Township Youth Baseball in 2019 when his son, Michael, was eight years old. Prior to this, he coached for Deptford Little League tee ball and coach pitch when his son was on the teams. 

Now, nearly a decade later, Demski and his assistant coaches – Paul LaFountain, Tom Bercute, Ken Schoudt, Mark Donnelly and Marc Rosenblatt have seen the growth of their players and own sons grow as people, teammates and athletes. Many of them are now playing on the high school baseball team, and Demski could not be prouder. 

“I know as a coach, these boys are getting older and some are pursuing other passions outside of baseball. I really try to live in the moment and enjoy each game and cherish all the memories made,” he said. 

“It’s truly been an honor of a lifetime to have these guys call me Coach for so long.”