Lawrence 10s Win Again, Defeating Bordentown 14-2

Editor's Note: The following game highlights were submitted to Lawrenceville Patch by Lawrence Little League.

In what has become their typical start for a game this summer, the 10-year-old Lawrence Township All Stars gave up two blooper singles to start off their game against Bordentown.  After a strikeout, Bordentown cleanup hitter Justin Smith powered a triple to right field and Bordentown jumped out to a 2-0 lead. 

However, the boys in red quickly pulled themselves together to halt their opponents’ momentum.  The next batter laid down a bunt which resulted in Smith being caught in a run-down between third and home.  Lawrence catcher Hans Lillis ran him down and applied the tag which caused a shift in the emotions on both benches.  And the Lawrence All Stars never looked back.

Nick Ciuffreda struck out the next batter looking, one of 11 strikeouts on the night.  He surrendered just four hits and did not walk anyone in his complete game win.  Nick also helped himself at the plate, going 3-for-4, scoring three runs, and picking up an RBI along the way.

In the top of the second inning, Sean Hoffman reached after being hit by a pitch.  Chris Nevius laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Sean to second.  After Garrett Maloney worked a walk, Ben Cohen ripped a line drive to center field for a single and collected one of his two RBI’s on the night.  Garrett scored on a pickoff attempt, and Ben ended up stealing home to put Lawrence up 3-2 – and they never gave up the lead.

Lawrence’s offense was steady through the rest of the game, scoring two runs in the third inning and three runs in each inning the rest of the way.  Shortstop Jack O’Reilly was 2-for-4 with a triple and scored twice. Hans Lillis was 3-for-4 and picked up an RBI. 

Alex Everman went 2-for-4 including a double, scored twice, picked up two RBI’s and drew a walk.   Garrett Maloney added a single, scored twice, and picked up an RBI in addition to drawing two walks.  Ean Dauer and Sean Hoffman also contributed hits on the night.  Chris Nevius showed discipline at the dish, drawing two walks, as did Shea McGuire who also drew a walk. 

“This is how we play Lawrence baseball,” manager Brian Ciuffreda told his team after they secured their fourth win of the summer, and second win in this tournament.  “We eliminated mental errors tonight, kept up our energy and focus, and none of our batters struck out.  Everyone put the ball in play and showed outstanding plate discipline.”

Lawrence’s next opponent will be Robbinsville at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 12.  The complete tournament bracket can be found at www.cpll.org.