Dream season continues for Monroe 8-year-olds

The Summer of Dreams continues for the Monroe 8-year-old All-Stars as they took home the Cal Ripken State championship by beating Flemington, 7-0, in the championship game on Saturday morning.

Monroe advanced to the championship game by beating Edison twice, Mount Olive and Middletown during the week. Monroe advanced to the New Jersey State Tournament by winning the Middlesex County District 9 championship last month, going 5-0 in the process.

The championship game was tied 0-0 going into the top of the fourth when Monroe was able to strike for one run with a lead-off walk and stolen base by Robbie Peto, who then scored on a single by Matt Horn. In the top of the fifth, Monroe started a two-out rally with consecutive walks to Andrew Isola, Stephen McCann and Michael Granda. Isola and McCann scored on a single by Rob Cocorikis, making the score 3-0. Monroe broke the game open on a two-run single by Robbie Peto. Peto later scored on a Horn single, making the score 6-0. Horn was later thrown out at the plate trying to score on a single by shortstop Joey Filiano.

In the top of the sixth, Monroe added to its lead after Matt "Cheese" Sorrento walked and scored all the way from first base on a double by third baseman Kyle Daly. Monroe was able to hold Flemington scoreless with great pitching by Eric Heatter and Rob Cocorikis. Also contributing to the win were Thomas Fleites, R.J. Dreyfuss and Nicky Lombard

After the championship game, the team was met by the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department at the township recreation center, and was given an escort to James Monroe Park, where the team had to play East Brunswick in the afternoon in the second round of the MTBA Invitational, a game Monroe won, 7-4.

"I can't begin to express how proud the coaches and families are of these kids," said manager Mike Peto. "We played a Flemington team that had superior strength and size, and rather than being intimidated by it, the kids focused on what has made them successful so far, which is great pitching and defense, and being opportunistic with our hitting and base running.

"I would also like to thank our fire department for helping to make this a memorable experience for the kids. The smile on their faces as we entered James Monroe Park with all of our cars following the fire engine with horns blasting and trophies held high made this something I will never forget."

The 8-year-olds' season continues by moving on to the Mid-Atlantic Regionals in Clifford Park, N.Y., this weekend.

This is the first time a regional competition is being held for this age group. The team leaves tonight, and Monroe plays its first game tomorrow afternoon, seeking their seventh consecutive championship.

The N.J. State Tournament marked the sixth consecutive championship for this group of youngsters, as their record improved to 36-3 for the season and 26-2 for the summer. Earlier this spring and summer, the 8s won the United States Amateur Baseball League championship, going 10-1; the Marlboro Memorial Day Tournament, going 4-0; the South Plainfield Father's Day Tournament, going 4-1; the Cal Ripken District 9 Championship, going 5-0; the East Brunswick Tournament, going 6-0; and the state tournament, going 5-1.

In addition, the team is currently 2-0 in the MTBA Invitational.

The players are Matt Sorrento, Rob Cocorikis, Mike Granda, Thomas Fleites, Stephen McCann, Nicky Lombard, Matt Horn, Robbie Peto, Eric Heatter, Andrew Isola, Kyle Daly and Joe Filiano.

The coaches are Kevin Horn, Jim Heatter, Lou Granda, Kirk McCann and Gerry Fleites, and the manager is Mike Peto.