HILLSDALE, N.J.—Congratulations to the Hillsdale Hawks 10U Boys Baseball team 9–10 Little League Eastern Regional Baseball Tournament champions!
After dispensing with powerhouse Toms River East last week in Manchester to win the state championship they moved on to Cranston, Rhode Island to play in the Eastern Regional Tournament, where teams from Maine to Maryland were vying for the title.
Led by Coach Christopher Kirkby, the Hawks beat teams from New York, Maryland, and Delaware. Then they shut out New England Regional Champion Rhode Island, 3–0, to win the Eastern Regional title Aug. 10.
(For 10-year-olds, the East Region tournament is as far as the team can go. 12-year-olds at this level advance to the Little League World Series.)
According to Mayor John Ruocco, the Borough is beginning plans to celebrate the team’s historic achievement, most likely in a public parade down Hillsdale Avenue to a ceremony at Beechwood Park in conjunction with the Sept. 14 Fall Festival.
The team consists of Thomas Eichner, Evan Gallucci, Frankie Gravina, Drew Kirkby, Justin Morgan, Ethan Rettew, Max Stalb, Sam Stalb, Jason Wormer, and Brady Zurbuch.
Coaches are Chris Kirkby, Eric Wormer, and Chris Zurbuch.
Ruocco wrote, “Congratulations to all, and also to the parents and relatives who have supported the team on their trip to the Little League Championship.”
The team battled its way to the 9/10 Eastern Region Invitational, at Michael P. Varrato Field.