National all-stars one win shy of league title
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

Brick National Little League's Minor League All-Stars extended their season to the championship game of the Toms River Little League Tournament and was the final team in town to play baseball this summer.

After winning six straight games, Brick National lost a heartbreaking 4-3 outcome to Toms River National.

"It was great, especially since we only had the players for three weeks," said Brick National manager Jack Gelsleichter, who was assisted by coaches Tom Reinstadler and Fred Schnoorbusch. "Nobody griped and they had to play a lot of positions. We were ready."

Brick National played hard all the way to the final out, threatening with men on second and third base when Toms River National's towering pitcher struck out the next two batters to end the game and the summer season for the township's two Little League programs.

James Walker, who allowed four hits over the six innings, struck out 11 and walked four. Jake Van Slovie lined a two-run double in the fifth inning that pulled Brick National to 4-3 and set the scene for the dramatic finish. It drove in Jason Schnoorbush, who walked and stole two bases, and Jake Smith, who reached on a fielder's choice.

"Their pitcher was pretty dominant; that was the difference," said Gelsleichter.

Despite having a range of youngsters ages 10 through 12, Gelsleichter did not see that as a problem.

"With all-star teams, it's easier because you have the cream of the crop," said Gelsleichter. "The younger ones are learning to play and they want to learn, and the older ones have the talent."

Brick National advanced to the championship game in the single-elimination phase of the tournament by rallying from behind to beat Brick American, 9-7, and hammering Holbrook, of Jackson, 15-8.

Jim Sakers and Walker each lined a two-run triple in the fourth inning when Brick National scored six runs against Brick American for the 9-7 lead.

Schnoorbush got the mound decision, and he, Van Slovie and Smith each batted in a run.

Sakers exploded for three hits, including a triple and drove in four runs against Holbrook and Drew Cannata knocked in three runs with two hits. Jack Oldham slugged a two-run single, and Tom Reinstadler also batted in two runs, as Kyle Voorhees got the mound decision against Holbrook.

Brick National during its four pool play victories again got a stiff challenge from Brick American as it pulled out a 12-11 victory off a run-scoring single in the fifth inning by Oldham.

It also drubbed Holbrook and pulled out two gritty victories over Toms River teams, knocking off Toms River American, 5-2, as Reinstadler drilled two doubles for two RBI, and pulled away for a 9-3 victory over Toms River East American as Logan Schmitz clubbed two hits for two RBIs.