After a long offseason, Koa Baseball has finally returned for the Fall 2016 Season! All of our BABL and Travel teams saw their first action this weekend in what shaped up to be a very exciting Opening Weekend. From our High School teams down to our BABL A teams, Koa saw the return of our core players and welcomed many new players as they begin their Koa journey. With the first weekend in the books, let’s take a look at some of the highlights from Saturday’s BABL action!
BABL A
Mashers (2-0): The returning Spring runner-up got off to a fast start in the fall season. As the only BABL A team to play a doubleheader, the team did not let the heat effect them! Newcomer Lawrence D. looked sharp on the mound in his Koa debut. Coach Adam Spadafora is leading a talented team to a potential 2nd straight championship game appearance.
Crushers (1-0): Coach Geren Williams capped off his BABL debut with an impressive victory as the Crushers started off their season with a W. The team showed patience at the plate which helped spur a 10-run 2nd inning. Jacob P. and William K. displayed poise and skill as they both had big games in their team’s first victory.
Bombers (0-1): Coach Kevin Dial made his coaching debut against his son LD (Mashers). In a hard-fought contest, the Bombers were led by Noah F. who crushed his first home run of the season. Although they came up just short, the Bombers played hard until the last out, and they will look to improve heading into next weekend.
Sluggers (0-1): In a back-and-forth matchup, the Sluggers late-game rally came up just a bit short, but Coach Aidan Edelman is excited about the direction of his team. With an impressive performance by Andreas J. (HR, 2 RBI’s) and Henry Sills (2 IP, 5 K’s), the Sluggers fought their way back after falling behind early. There is a lot to be excited about for the Sluggers!
Homers (0-1): The Homers displayed solid defense and baseball IQ behind new Head Coach Fernando Pineres. Koa had a great look at young star Edward F., who manned 5 different positions throughout the game. A team that does all of the little things correctly, the Homers will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming weeks!
Launchers (0-1): One great player does not make a great team. But Reed S. did his part both on the mound and at the plate, launching his first home run of the season and racking up 5 K’s in 2 IP on the mound. Coach Perry Jorss and the Launchers are happy to get the first-game jitters out of the way and build on the many positives from Opening Day!
BABL AA
Changeups (1-0): No shortage of offense in this one as the Changeups dropped 16 runs on Opening Day. Coach Mark Brown praised his team’s mental toughness as they bounced back after a big Fastballs’ inning. Sammy K. led the offensive charge with 2 big hits, and Bradley W. threw out a pivotal baserunner at 3rd Base in his BABL AA debut. Keep your eye on the Changeups this fall.
Curveballs (1-0): A dominant performance on the mound by Jacob L. (4 IP, 8 K’s) helped lead the Curveballs to their first win of the season. As a young and scrappy team, the Curveballs overcame some pregame jitters and played like a group of veterans. Coach Amos Stevenson has a talented group that will do some damage this season!
Farmers (1-0): Coach Ian Thorne and the Farmers came to play with an impressive victory in the seaon opener. Shane M. looked sharp on the mound as he kept the Screwballs off balance with his deep repertoire of pitches. The Farmers have a tremendous ceiling as one of the youngest teams in AA.
Sliders (1-0): In a rematch from the Spring 2016 Playoffs, the Sliders avenged their season-ending loss with a close win over the Fastballs. Brandon B. remained calm under pressure as he came in to save the game with runners on base in the last inning. He also had a day at the plate going 2-3 with a HR. Coach Joe Albertini has to be excited with his team that stays strong with the game on the line!
Screwballs (0-1): What a game! After facing a huge deficit in the middle innings, the Screwballs fought back to score 6 runs, eventually ending the game with the tying run on third base. Roan D. showed off his lightening speed on the base paths with 4 stolen bases on the day. Coach Pete Dorchak has his guys fighting until the final out, which makes them a very dangerous team this fall.
Splitters (0-1): How can you start the game off right? How about striking out the first 6 batters of the game! That is exactly what Thomas C. did in the Splitter’s opener on Saturday. His teammates followed him, playing great defense and stealing 11 bases. New Head Coach John Paseur is excited to build off his team’s strong showing in game one of the season.
Fastballs (0-2): Although their record might not show it, the defending BABL AA Champions are not to be taken lightly. With strong offensive performances by Kanen K. and Will G., the returning Fastballs are showing the way for their new teammates. New coach Eric Desmond has a strong mix of returning and new players on the Fastballs’ quest for back-to-back-to-back championships.
BABL AAA
Slammers (1-0): The long offseason couldn’t cool off the Slammers’ bats on Opening Day. The team came out hot with an 11-run first inning. Will R. and Andrew E. highlighted the offensive explosion, as they both had perfect days at the plate. Coach Gerardo Caceras and the high-scoring Slammers look to keep their bats hot into next weekend.
Dingers (0-0-1): Neither team gave in during the Dingers-Wreckers matchup, leading to the first tie of the BABL season. Danny M. drove in the first run of the year for the Dingers and closed down the last inning to preserve a 10-10 tie. Coach Greg Albertini has a lot to look forward to with a team that is loaded with potential.
Wreckers (0-0-1): As a new team in BABL AAA, the Wreckers look to make their mark in Koa this fall. Sergio B. made his AAA debut and struck out the side in his inning of relief. New Head Coach Rob Castillo after the game: “Look out for the Wreckers!”
Blasters (0-1): A team made up of new Koa players, the Blasters showed a lot of potential under new Head Coach Sean Timmons. Zach Y. gave the team a solid performance on the mound, pitching 4 strong innings. The Blasters look to bring the same intensity next week as they continue their inaugural season in BABL AAA.
Travel Baseball
10U (0-2): The next Green Wave of Koa players made their travel baseball debut with legendary coach, Coach AJ. After getting down early in both games, the 10U Green Wave fought back and gave Win Within all they could handle. Casey G. showed off his power at the plate and poise as the team’s catcher. With Coach AJ at the helm, look out for the 10U squad!
11U (1-1): Coach Mark Brown and Greg Albertini enter the season with high expectations for the 11U Green Wave. After a dominating performance in Game 1, the team fell just short to UMAC Attack in Game 2. Harry R. had an impressive Koa debut with 3 hits. The team looks forward to a strong week of practice heading into the second weekend of NVTBL play.
12U (0-2): Following an appearance in the Ripken Labor Day Tournament, the 12U team opened their season off against one of the top teams in the area. An impressive pitching performance by James R. and offensive production from the top-of-the-order, the 12U couldn’t quite nail the door shut against the Rebels. Coach Adam Spadafora and Aiden Edelman are pumped about their team’s resiliency this past weekend!
13U (1-1): After an exciting week at Cooperstown AllStar Village this summer, Koa 13U has ditched the little league field and has moved up to the 90ft diamond! The new field dimensions did not phase Beck U., who dominated both on the mound and at the plate. Coach JJ and Coach Gerardo have their guys off to a great start on the big field!
14U East (2-0): How Sweep It Is! 14U East dominated Dig In with an impressive showing at Richard Montgomery HS on Sunday morning. The team brought the big bats out as the whole lineup contributed from top-to-bottom. From Assistant to Head Coach, Coach Howard has his guys hungry and ready to win it all!
14U West (1-1): Coach Al’s offseason workouts were put to the test this weekend… and they delivered! 14U West swung a hot bat on Sunday, with huge days from Sam D. and Jordan S. Future opponents are going to have a tough time outworking this 14U West team!
High School JV (0-2): The Koa JV team had their first taste of high school baseball on Sunday, and Coach JP Hoover and Joe Albertini were very pleased with the team’s effort. Following a successful summer with the Koa High School Team, RHP Tyler C. continued his dominance with an impressive showing on the mound. They will look to bounce back next weekend after a strong week at practice.
High School Varsity (0-2): Late game errors hurt the Koa High School Varsity Team under the lights at Shirley Povich Field, but that did not stop the team from flashing their talent. Brendan G. highlighted the day with 3 doubles and 8 RBI’s. Coach Marty Bednar and Rodolfo Guante have a talented group at the top of Koa Travel Baseball.
Travel League
Pitcher of the Week: Andrew L. (11U)
Stats – 3 IP, 1 H, 5 K’s
Player of the Week: Beck U. (13U)
Stats – 4-6, 2 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 4 R
| Koa Travel | W/L |
| 10U | 0-2 |
| 11U | 1-1 |
| 12U | 1-5 |
| 13U | 1-1 |
| 14U East | 2-0 |
| 14U West | 1-1 |
| High School JV | 0-2 |
| High School Varsity | 0-2 |
BABL
Player of the Week: Will R. (Slammers)
Stats – 4-4, 4 RBI, 3 R
Pitcher of the Week: Henry S. (Sluggers)
Stats – 2 IP, 5 K’s
| A Standings | W/L | AA Standings | W/L | AAA Standings | W/L |
| Mashers | 2-0 | Change-ups | 1-0 | Slammers | 1-0 |
| Crushers | 1-0 | Curveballs | 1-0 | Dingers | 0-0-1 |
| Factory | 1-0 | Farmers | 1-0 | Wreckers | 0-0-1 |
| Bombers | 0-1 | Sliders | 1-0 | Blasters | 0-1 |
| Sluggers | 0-1 | Screwballs | 0-1 | ||
| Homers | 0-1 | Spliters | 0-1 | ||
| Launchers | 0-1 | Fastballs | 0-2 |
Presented by Founding Farmers
Tip of the Week
