The Pennridge Little League 10U All-Star baseball team recently wrapped up a successful 2023 season, finishing third in the state tournament.
The Rams, reported assistant coach Mags Rivera, went undefeated in districts, winning the District 20 crown in a 1-0 victory over Lehigh Little League behind the arm of ace Jackson Funk and a first-inning RBI double from Jordan Ritter.
The Rams went 4-1 in sectionals, beating Council Rock Holland Little League twice en route to capturing the Section 6 championship 6-5 in a game that saw the Rams jump out early to a 4-0 lead only to relinquish it, Rivera said.
In the bottom of the fifth with runners on second and third, the second youngest player on the team, Mags Rivera, lifted a fly ball to right that not only drove in the tying run but also put the team ahead. In the top of the sixth, after issuing a walk, youngest player Jonah Los’ pitch was hit right back to him for a double play and two pitches later, another ground ball to the pitcher sealed the game for the Rams, Coach Rivera added.
The state tournament started off similar to sectionals.
The Rams dropped their opening game to Somerset, winners of District 11 and Section 4, but the team bounced back the next three games behind some great offense and pitching, Rivera said.
They beat District 10 and Section 1 champions St. Mary’s before getting revenge on Somerset in a game that would see Grayson Orsino hit an over the fence home run in a six-run fourth inning to give the Rams a lead they never relinquished.
After about an hour rain delay, the Rams brought in the only girl on the roster, Hannah Wheeler, to pitch. “She was tasked with getting the final four outs and boy did she ever shine in that light,” Rivera said. Wheeler struck out all four batters she faced, putting the Rams into the state final four, where they handled District 12 and Section 3 champs Keystone to secure a spot in the final three.
The Rams would go on to lose against District 21 Section 8 champ Morrisville.
Down 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the team knocked in three runs – a right-field double by Mags Rivera inflicting the most damage – to cut the Morrisville lead to two, but the rally fell short, ending the Rams’ hopes at a state title. Still, it was a great season and run by the Rams, who finished No. 3 in the state.
Head coach Nate Ritter and assistant coaches Mags Rivera, A Jay Walters and Andy Ambruch thank the parents, families and community members who supported the team throughout the season.
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