SJ Sports: Cherry Hill`s Success

The season lasted much longer than anybody expected for Cherry Hill’s American Legion (18-and-under) team, but it was a run that this baseball-rich community won’t soon forget. Lightly regarded before the postseason, Cherry Hill enjoyed unprecedented success in compiling the most successful season in the team’s 14-year history.

It finally ended on Aug. 17 when Cherry Hill lost to Hatfield, PA, 8-4 and was eliminated from the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Boyertown, PA.

Cherry Hill went 1-2 in the tournament, which was eventually won by Monsey, New York. The regional winner advanced to the American Legion World Series, which begins Aug. 23 in Danville, Virginia.

Cherry Hill thus ended its season 35-14. It was the first time the team had advanced to a regional. That occurred after Cherry Hill finished second in the New Jersey state tournament. The top two teams advanced.

"It was such a thrilling summer," said Cherry Hill coach Ron Krowiak. "You always wish you could have advanced further, but these kids accomplished so much and should be proud of what they did."

Even in the regionals, Cherry Hill showed its accustomed true grit. Cherry Hill opened with an 8-4 loss to Beckley, West Virginia. The winning pitcher, Andrew Bombardiere improved to 11-0 after allowing just four hits. However Cherry Hill never quit and scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning on a two-run home run by Tom Caracciolo.

John Fox, who had won so many big games this summer, took the loss for Cherry Hill and ended 9-2. Still, without Fox’s heroics in the state and district tournament, Cherry Hill would have never advanced to the regionals.

Staring at elimination with another loss, Cherry Hill remained alive with a 4-1 win over Dover, Delaware. Ian McLoughlin earned the win, improving to 8-2. He pitched six scoreless innings and struck out seven, while allowing four hits and four walks. McLoughlin, who is headed to the College of New Jersey, enjoyed an outstanding summer after an all-conference senior season at Cherry Hill West.

Javier Torres of Camden Catholic pitched the final three innings to earn the save. Third baseman Joe Briglia, who will be a senior at Cherry Hill West, went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and centerfielder Mike Caruso, a junior-to-be at Cherry Hill West, was 3 for 4 with a run scored an RBI. Shortstop Joseph Davis, who will be a Cherry Hill East senior, went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI.

Cherry Hill was eliminated in the next game with the aforementioned loss to Hatfield. McLoughlin went 1 for 3 with three RBIs. Corey Knoedler, a recent graduate from Kings Christian, was 2 for 2 with an RBI and runs scored and Caruso was 2 for 3.

During the three games, Caruso was Cherry Hill’s top player, going 5 for 10 (.500) with an RBI and run scored.

With Caruso and Briglia leading the offense, Cherry Hill should again field a strong team next summer.

"We learned so much from advancing this far," Krowiak said. "We saw how other teams prepare to get to this point and I think the experience will help us in the future."

Krowiak credited the work of his coaches Chris McLoughlin, Dave Knoedler, Steve Roberto and Joe DeSibio. Unlike high school coaches, American Legion coaches don’t get paid. It’s a lot of time to volunteer.

"It’s worth it, especially when you see the kids improving," Krowiak said.

This year, there was plenty of improving in a season to remember at Cherry Hill.

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Author: Marc Narducci