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After tearing through the Delaware state tournament with a 7-0 record, the Camden-Wyoming Junior Little League All-Star team’s season finally came to an end at the regional stage.
The team traveled to Freehold, N.J., the weekend of Aug. 8 to compete in the regional tourney and get a chance to move on to the Junior Little League World Series.
It was not to be, however, as the team went 1-2 and were knocked out of the double elimination tournament, losing to the Pennsylvania team, 8-1, Aug. 8, then to the New York squad, 6-3, Aug. 10.
The lone win came against Connecticut, 8-1, Aug. 9.
Despite the short appearance for the Camden team, Manager Kenny Powell said there were positives and lessons to pull from.
“We had moments where we played hard, but we were mostly flat,” Powell said. “However, making regionals was an accomplishment in itself.”
The team’s manager said the 13-, 14- and 15-year-old boys on this year’s team have come a long way since some disappointing performances at the Major all-star level two years ago.
At that time, injuries and a lack of confidence stopped the Camden team from getting out of states, Powell said. This year, however, the group played every game like it knew it was going to win.
“We didn’t really know how good the team was going to be,” he said. “I knew there was a lot of talent, but I didn’t know we would do this well.
“Sometimes you can have the talent and the kids don’t play well together, but they have really come together this year.”
Pitcher and shortstop Aaron Briggs, 14, agreed and said it’s a much more comfortable environment on the field when everyone is standing behind each other.
“We all help each other, pick each other up when we’re down,” Briggs said. “We all work together out there.”
Brandon Heller, 15, who played at third base and pitched for the team, elaborated, saying it took a lot of hard work for the team to get where it did.
A heavy practice load and a dedication from each player, Heller said, was required regularly to be able to reach the regional level.
“We played together as a team because we practiced hard,” he said. “We worked on our defense and our hitting a lot.”
While some of the boys on the team will graduate to the next level of baseball, Powell he expects the core of the team to be back next year.
He added that with a year of experience under their belts this team could be even better than the squad that was fielded this summer.
“I hope they learned from this experience and learned not to take these opportunities for granted,” Powell said. “Because that will make them dangerous if they get back here next year.”
Email Brian Citino at brian.citino@doverpost.com
After tearing through the Delaware state tournament with a 7-0 record, the Camden-Wyoming Junior Little League All-Star team’s season finally came to an end at the regional stage.
The team traveled to Freehold, N.J., the weekend of Aug. 8 to compete in the regional tourney and get a chance to move on to the Junior Little League World Series.
It was not to be, however, as the team went 1-2 and were knocked out of the double elimination tournament, losing to the Pennsylvania team, 8-1, Aug. 8, then to the New York squad, 6-3, Aug. 10.
The lone win came against Connecticut, 8-1, Aug. 9.
Despite the short appearance for the Camden team, Manager Kenny Powell said there were positives and lessons to pull from.
“We had moments where we played hard, but we were mostly flat,” Powell said. “However, making regionals was an accomplishment in itself.”
The team’s manager said the 13-, 14- and 15-year-old boys on this year’s team have come a long way since some disappointing performances at the Major all-star level two years ago.
At that time, injuries and a lack of confidence stopped the Camden team from getting out of states, Powell said. This year, however, the group played every game like it knew it was going to win.
“We didn’t really know how good the team was going to be,” he said. “I knew there was a lot of talent, but I didn’t know we would do this well.
“Sometimes you can have the talent and the kids don’t play well together, but they have really come together this year.”
Pitcher and shortstop Aaron Briggs, 14, agreed and said it’s a much more comfortable environment on the field when everyone is standing behind each other.
“We all help each other, pick each other up when we’re down,” Briggs said. “We all work together out there.”
Brandon Heller, 15, who played at third base and pitched for the team, elaborated, saying it took a lot of hard work for the team to get where it did.
A heavy practice load and a dedication from each player, Heller said, was required regularly to be able to reach the regional level.
“We played together as a team because we practiced hard,” he said. “We worked on our defense and our hitting a lot.”
While some of the boys on the team will graduate to the next level of baseball, Powell he expects the core of the team to be back next year.
He added that with a year of experience under their belts this team could be even better than the squad that was fielded this summer.
“I hope they learned from this experience and learned not to take these opportunities for granted,” Powell said. “Because that will make them dangerous if they get back here next year.”
Email Brian Citino at brian.citino@doverpost.com
