Printer Friendly Version - North Haven Takes the East Shore Travel League Majors Title

The North Haven Indians 11-year-old baseball squad beat the Fairfield Clubhouse by a 9-1 final to take the title in the Majors Division of the East Shore Travel League. Pictured are the team’s players in Dante Velez, Dom DeSimone, Tyler Kornacki, Chris Labanara, Steven Vincent, Ryan Bauman, Max Cargan, Brady Cullen, Tyler Harger, Andrew Coppola, Brendan Ryan, and James Tobin, along with coaches Brian Cullen, Mark Kornacki, and Dennis Ryan. Photo courtesy of Bob Labanara

North Haven’s 11-year-old baseball team topped them all this year by winning the championship in the East Shore Travel Baseball League’s Majors Division. The East Shore League is a competitive AAU league that consists of teams from all around the greater New Haven area.

The North Haven Indians finished their regular season just two games out of first place with an 18-9 record. In the semifinal matchup, the No. 1 seed Guilford Braves were standing in North Haven’s way. North Haven was quickly down 5-0 to Guilford within the first few innings. The Indians went on a comeback that was sparked by a two-run home run over the center field fence by shortstop Chris Labanara. The Indians continued their rally thanks to a solid pitching performance from Tyler Harger, great catching by James Tobin, and the unstoppable defense of first baseman Dominic DeSimone and outfielders Brady Cullen and Max Cargan. With a final score of 10-5 over the Braves, the Indians marched into the finals.

North Haven faced Fairfield’s Clubhouse in the championship game, where the Indians’ bats stayed hot. Brendan Ryan, Dante Velez, Ryan Bauman, and Andrew Coppola gave the Clubhouse’s pitchers all they could handle, while Tyler Kornacki’s tenacious baserunning helped clinch a convincing victory for the Indians. North Haven’s starting pitcher Steven Vincent threw a gem and ended the game in grand fashion by hitting a home run to put the mercy rule into a effect and finish off a 9-1 championship victory for the Indians.

North Haven’s head coach is Mark Kornacki, while Dennis Ryan and Brian Cullen are the team’s assistant coaches. The Indians’ roster consists of Ryan Bauman, Max Cargan, Andrew Coppola, Brady Cullen, Dom DeSimone, Tyler Harger, Tyler Kornacki, Chris Labanara, Brendan Ryan, James Tobin, Dante Velez, and Steven Vincent.