Before the tournament got underway, this club appeared set to take its place on the long list of great teams out of Morristown. Coach Tony Cattano said that this particular group of players didn’t lose as an all-star team the last two summers.
But all of the accolades of the past became worthless after the loss to Morristown American. Clearly, it was not a familiar position for National.
The day after losing to Morristown American, we just had a long talk,” Cattano recalled. “I remember them saying, ‘Five straight, we just can’t do it.'”
“I knew it was possible. I remember the E.J. Sebelle and Dan Conway team a few years ago that won 10 straight, so winning five straight was not impossible. We decided that winning the districts would take five small steps, one at a time.”
Morristown National took all five steps, including a pair of victories over Morristown American as well as two wild wins over Parsippany-Troy East.
“In the two games against Parsippany, each time into the fifth inning with the lead,” Cattano said.
“I’ll be honest,” manager Frank Saccomanno said. “We are confident, but our expectation on the states. We told the kids to do it game-by-game. After we came back to beat Morristown American, then I thought we had a great shot. Beating Parsippany the way we did was something special.”
At the heart of that damage could be center fielder Evan Davis, who blasted two home runs against Pequannock to help win the sectional title. One of those dingers was a monstrous, 300-foot shot. He has six home runs in tournament play so far this summer.
“Without a doubt, he’s one of the strongest 12-year-olds I’ve ever met,” Cattano said. “He just hits the ball hard every time up. He has a world of potential.”
Rob Ogilvie, who two-hit Pequannock in the sectional final week, and Kevin Ryan (one earned run in his last 32 innings) are the team’s best hurlers.
Ryan pitched Morristown National to the sectional title Saturday, so the well-rested Ogilvie will probably draw the starting nod tonight.
Morristown has had different players step up throughout its tournament run.
Catcher Dave Deane handles pitchers well behind the plate and has two home runs in the last two games. Dave Molinaro, the first baseman, is the team’s spiritual leader. Second baseman and No. 9 hitter Chris Griffith is steady with the glove and gives the team strength at the bottom of the batting order.
Shortstop Scott Saccomanno leads off and owns a great glove, not to mention superb on-field savvy that he puts on display against Pequannock. With a runner on second during the sectionals, Saccomanno scooped up a grounder, faked a throw to first and alertly tagged out the runner off second base.
Left fielder Casey Donnellon is a solid, line-drive hitter and owner of a reliable glove. Right fielder Sean O’Donnell earned a starting spot with his work as a pinch-hitter.
Others who have contributed heavily include outfielders Bobby Bilodeau, Kyle Dayson and Erik Lappinen, catcher Dan Maas and second baseman Joe Sufczynski.
“Morristown expects success,” Saccomanno said. “I haven’t felt any pressure at all to win. It’s fun when you win. Everyone on the team is happy. We haven’t heard any negatives.”
Chasing a dream
MORRISTOWN NATIONAL’S 11- and 12-year-old team has made it very far—all the way to Manchester Twp. in Ocean County, site of this year’s state Little League Final Four. The team continues its quest for a state championship, and ultimately a trip to Williamsport, Pa. for the Little League World Series, with a game 7:30 p.m. today against North Vineland. Below is a roster, with positions and photos, of the Morristown National team:
- Bob Bilodeau — Outfield
- Evan Davis — Centerfield
- Kyle Dayson — Outfield
- Dave Deane — Catcher
- Casey Donnellon — Left field
- Chris Griffith — Second base
- Erik Lappinen — Outfield
- Daniel Maas — Catcher
- Dave Molinaro — First base
- Sean O’Donnell — Right field
- Rob Ogilvie — Pitcher
- Kevin Ryan — Pitcher
- Scott Saccomanno — Shortstop
- Joe Sufczynski — Second base
- Tony Cattano — Coach
- Frank Saccomanno — Manager
