Middletown Wins Friday Night, Tuesday Is Championship Game

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Saturday update: Despite the poor forecast, Friday night's game did happen, and Middletown won!

Middletown defeated the previously undefeated Bayshore Little League 7-5 Friday evening. That means there will be a second game this Tuesday, July 6:

Next game, Tuesday, July 6, 5:30 p.m.
Tinton Falls Little League
295 Hockhockson Road
Tinton Falls, NJ

Lots of Middletown fans showed up in a large crowd to support the boys Friday night.

“The crowd was electric; the team never gave up and stayed composed throughout the game. Total team effort up and down the lineup," said Coach Mike Fastiggi.

Tuesday's game will be the final game, in the battle for the District 19 championship.

“Truly a spectacular game hitting throughout the line up and all players came up big in the field! Players and coaches are excited and honor to represent Middletown in the District 19 championship! Thank you to all the fans that came out to support the team; it was a great evening," said manager Vin Verdiglione.

Middletown girls' softball, coached by Vinny Esposito, also have an all-star game Tuesday night. Stay tuned for more to come on that.

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For anyone who complained about the heat and humidity this past week, the boys of Middletown 8/9-year-old Little League didn't let it slow them down, in their quest for a district championship title.

And this Friday night is a very big game for these local kids.

The team won their Wednesday night game; they beat Freehold 13-9. Their next game was supposed to be Thursday, however that got rained out and now their next game is 5:30 p.m. Friday against Bayshore Little League.

If Middletown wins Friday night, they will play Bayshore again on Tuesday for the District 19 championship. If they lose tonight, Bayshore automatically becomes District 19 champs.

For anyone who wants to come out and watch Friday night's game, it will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Tinton Falls Little League:

295 Hockhockson Road Tinton Falls, NJ 07724

That tournament is a double elimination so the Middletown boys will have to defeat Bayshore twice in order to win. Bayshore is currently undefeated; Middletown Little League has one loss.

"I am so very proud of each and every boy on the team," said manager Vincent Verdiglione. "This and the last few games have been team wins. Looking forward to representing Middletown in the District 19 championship.”

In Wednesday night's game, Verdiglione made great calls on both the defense and offense lineups. Defense was on point with outstanding pitching by Michael Annucci and Joey Picorello, and catchers Nick Verdiglione and Chase Zappola made some quick plays.

Ryan Grasso made a particularly great catch in left field.

Mikey Fastiggi hit a triple. Michael Annucci hit an in-the-park home run. Colin Briggs hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Ryan Curry, Tyler Galante, Logan Travis, Matt Alessi and Erik Bailey all hit single scoring RBI’s.

Can you imagine playing ball in that heat Wednesday night?

"The boys brought their bats! The heat didn’t seem to be a factor for these young men," said Joanne Briggs, team mom.

All-Star Roster of Middletown 8/9-year-old Little League:

Manager Vincent Verdiglione & Coaches Mike Fastiggi and JoAnne Briggs

Players:

• Matthew Alessi
• Michael Annucci
• Erik Bailey
• Colin Briggs
• Ryan Curry
• Tyler Galante
• Ryan Grasso
• Mikey Fastiggi
• Joey Piccarello
• Logan Travis
• Nick Verdiglione
• Chase Zappala

Prior: Middletown Little League Advances In Big Win Over Lincroft (June 29)

You'll recall that the 2018 12u Middletown Little League, coached by Tim Naughton, won the 2018 state championship, a team that featured memorable players such as "Big Al" Delia, Dylan Briggs and Joey Wall.

That team almost made it to the Little League World Series, but lost in one of the elimination rounds.

Only the Little League Majors division (12-year-old players) teams compete for a chance to go to the Little League International World Series Tournament, held every summer in Williamsport, PA. The road to Williamsport will begin this summer with a district tournament that begins on Tuesday, July 5. The 2021 12YO team is again coached by Naughton, who has a son on the team.

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* Patch has made some corrections to this article after we were corrected with the facts from Bob Corcoran, vice president of Middletown Little League.