Cubs capture first place in National AAA League

From worst to first. That was the result for the hardy Cubs of the Brick National AAA League, which went from a winless record last summer to the league championship.

And the Cubs did it by knocking off the Brewers, who were unbeaten last season and the only team to mar the Cubs' 10-2 campaign this year, in the league championship playoff game - an 8-7 thriller.

The Cubs did it with a well-balanced lineup in which no player consistently starred, and there was plenty of depth for manager Ken Marciano and coaches Ed Salerno, Steve Beier and Ken Kiseli. Three players shared in the pitching, including Frank Cammerano, who threw the championship game against the Brewers, Andrew Hayman and Jason Laraia.

Katerina Kiseli, one of two girls playing on the team, also played for the Brick National Junior Softball All-Stars, which lost two close games in the Section 3 tournament. She alternated at first base with Zack Beier. Bill Eisley and Lou Gonzalez shared playing time at second base. Nick Salerno played shortstop, while Hayman and Cammerano alternated at third base, depending on who was pitching. Laraia and Beier were the catchers.

Danielle Sands, the other girl on the team, played in right field as did Ed McCaffery. Dan Roditis saw action in center field and in left. Kyle Rogers also played in center field, and Gonzalez saw action in left field.

Their efforts helped the team reel off three straight victories and then, after a loss to the Brewers, 7-4, roll to five more wins. After another loss to the Brewers by a 9-7 score, the Cubs went on their roll in the final two games of the regular season and the league's double-elimination tournament and a hard-earned championship that the team will celebrate with a party on Saturday.

- Wayne Witkowski