Worst to First: RVC Royals Win Championship

The Rockville Centre Royals baseball team recently defeated Garden City in a three-game series to win the National Junior Baseball League (NBJL) summer championship.

The Royals formed in the spring of 2012 and had a much different season from their championship summer. The team consists of 9 and 10 year old boys from RVC. They play in a division of mostly 10 and 11 year olds.

The spring season was a tough season of getting to know each other and playing together for the first time, often having games end in losses and getting "run-ruled." The Royals came in last place during the spring.

The boys worked diligently with their coaches, J.C Walsh, John Hyland and Gene Kirley, to prepare for the summer season, which brought about very different results for the team.

They won many games, often in extreme heat and humidity. They also had amazing support from their coaches and families who attended every game no matter how extreme the weather.

The Royals ended up finishing in first place for the summer after defeating Garden City in a three-game championship series that took place on Saturday, Aug. 11.

The Royals lost the first game 12-9. However, every player on the team contributed and they came back to win the second game by a final score of 14-5 and the third game by an impressive score of 19-7 to clinch the championship.

The team consists of:

• Brian Boyle
• Matt Fitzgerald
• Gavin Kelly
• Danny Kirley
• Matt McCabe
• Jake Murphy
• Eli Pullaro
• Charlie O'Brien
• Ryan Riccio
• Christian Romeo
• Jack Schwartzberg
• Justin Sumberac
• Ryan Walsh

The above story was contributed by Lisa Hyland.