Mets emerge as Minor League champions
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

The Mets had a fundamental approach to the game of baseball and that's exactly how they repeated as Brick National Little League Minor League champions.

"We hit the ball and played fundamental baseball: we got outs when we needed them," said manager Jack Gelschleichter, who also managed the National Minor League All-Star team that actually was the last baseball team playing in town, reaching the Toms River Little League Tournament championship before losing to the host team.

The Mets actually finished in second place in the regular season standings with a 12-6 record behind the Reds but couldn't complain. Although the league allows youngsters between the ages of 10 and 12 on teams, the Mets lost six players off last year's powerful team.

But the players, under the direction of Gelschleichter and coaches Bob Voorhees, Pete Cannata and Mark Francese, matured by the end of the season. With all 15 teams in the league participating in the playoffs, the Mets advanced past three opponents into the championship series in which the Mets swept the best-of-three showdown against the Cardinals.

"We thought we'd have to start all over for this season but the kids fit in well as part of the team," said Gelschleichter.

After winning the opener, 8-7, off a two-run rally in the sixth inning, the Mets won the next game, 12-7.

Ryan Mooney collected two hits for three RBIs in the first game and drove in the first of two runs in the sixth-inning rally. Antonio Garcia, who had two hits, knocked in what proved to be the winning run.

Thomas Parsons also batted in three runs with two hits, including a double, and Drew Cannata got the mound win in relief of Luke Parsons, Toms's brother.

Cannata had the hot bat in the clincher, driving in six runs with two doubles and a single, but the Mets had to rally from behind with six runs in the fourth inning for a 9-6 lead, three of them scoring off a double hit by Tom Parsons. Brother Luke had two hits for two RBIs, as Evan Lovato, who pitched the first four innings, got the mound win

The Mets rolled in their playoff opener over the Nationals, 20-3, and held off the Braves for a 9-7 triumph in the second round. Corey Sylvestro was the winning pitcher against the Braves and made a nice play in the field, but it was second baseman Gabe Buono who turned in the dazzler with an over-the-shoulder catch running into right field before he quickly turned and threw for a double play. That was followed by a 12-2 victory over the Astros in which Cannata got the win with hitting support from Tom Francis and Bob McElroy, who each slugged two hits.

Gelschleichter also praised the efforts of pitcher Dan Kleban, while outfielder Sammy Rivera also contributed to the Mets success through the season.