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SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – There they were, the Holbrook players and coaches, crowded around the ESPN set just outside Lamade Stadium for all the country to see Monday night, more than four hours after their 12-9 win over Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. provided the latest example of this team’s star power.

Since they showed up in Bristol, Conn. 16 days ago and drubbed Northwest Washington, 16-6, to open the Mid-Atlantic Regional, this group has been flexing its offensive muscles on national television. Fans from coast-to-coast have gotten to know names like Chris Cartnick and R.J. Vashey, while awaiting the inevitable moon shots.

In the one game they lost over that period, they mounted a dramatic comeback before falling, 7-6, in their first game in Central Pennsylvania last Thursday.

And on Tuesday night, Holbrook gets a chance at redemption in front of the entire nation in a rematch with Fairfield, Conn. and pitcher Ethan Righter, with first pitch in what will be Holbrook’s third straight elimination game set for 7:30 p.m.

It’s the way they’ve done it that makes the team so appealing to the masses.

They’re not perfect. They’ve made some mistakes in the field, and the pitching hasn’t dominated. But by game’s end they find a way to win.

Holbrook’s two victories at the World Series have come on the strength of nine-run innings, effectively overwhelming the competition. In Saturday’s 15-5 win, it was Cartnick’s two homers in one inning providing the fireworks, while Vashey cracked home runs in successive innings on Monday.

 

On ESPN Monday night, Cartnick talked about his hitting and pitching, having thwarted a rally during a three-inning relief stint, and second baseman Charlie Meglio talked about his home run and double, part of a 16-hit onslaught as the solar eclipse subsided.

Mid-Atlantic Region Champion, Holbrook Little LeagueBuy Photo

Mid-Atlantic Region Champion, Holbrook Little League beat West Region Champion, Santa Margarita LL of Rancho Santa Margarita, California 12-9 at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. August 21, 2016, South Williamsport, PA  (Photo: Bob Karp/Staff Photographer)

 

``I’ve been in a slump,’’ Vashey explained. ``It just felt good to hit the first home run and tie the game and the second one just gave us the momentum.’’

 

In all, Holbrook batters have driven seven balls over the fence in Lamade Stadium, and have drilled 27 homers since play began at the New Jersey state championship.

``We’ve been hitting home runs from districts through sections and states,’’ Holbrook manager Rob Grano explained to the ESPN audience. ``We just worry about what kind of pitcher we’re going to see. But with us, if you hang a curveball or throw anything near the belt they’ll drive it.

Charlie Meglio [14) congratulated at the plate by Garrett

"We’ve been hitting since they were 8-years-old, so I guess it’s our calling card.’’

Finally, the hosts posed perhaps the most important question of all to Grano: Bon Jovi or Springsteen?

"Springsteen,’’ Grano quickly replied.

There you have it.

And with their performances, both on and off the field, the Holbrook’s players and coaches are well on their way to cementing their place in New Jersey lore.

http://www.app.com/story/sport...ld-series/588935001/

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The SPL Rocks!

Prego che tu stia danzando con San Pietro alle porte perlacee del cielo





Pulled up to my house today
Came and took my little girl away!
Giants Stadium 8/28/03



Oats

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