Lakewood Rangers 12U Purple Team Takes 2nd Place Overall

BATH, OH -- Let’s play ball! A perfect 75 degree day with a mix of clouds and sunshine, the Lakewood Community Baseball Association (LCBA) Rangers 12U Purple team advanced to the finals in the Cuyahoga Valley Baseball Association League (CVBA) Bid division taking on the number one seed Nordonia Force Knights. Bats were swinging, balls flying, bases were loaded, strikes called but the Rangers fell short in seven innings to the Force Knights team, a final score of 13-8.

With a record of 7-12 this season, the sixth seed Rangers knocked off the Broadview Heights Eagles (fourth seed team) advancing to the semi-finals where they defeated the Fairview Park Warriors 15-8. Taking on the Force Knights in the Championship game, the Rangers battled hard and gave it their all. This is the third time this season facing the first place team. “I think those guys thought they were going to roll over us but we put up a fight the whole time” Coach Vince Frantz said after the game. With a standing ovation from their parents and coaches, the boys walked off the field with their heads held high, feeling proud.

The team has played together since 2013 under the direction of Head coach Ray Szczepaniak. Assisting Coach Szczepaniak, Tom Fraser, Dave Jablonowski, Tom Hill, Vince Frantz and Chris Gillard. The players are involved in other sports but they focus strictly on baseball from May through mid-July. There are six starting pitchers but each player has a chance to pitch during the season. Players rotate positions.

The 12U Rangers have been working toward the championship game since the team won the 10U season but got knocked out of the playoffs in 2015. “In the beginning of the season we didn’t think we would get this far and we pulled through” Eli LaDue said with excitement.

Postgame celebration included compliments from the coaches and the players and of course, trophies!

Hungry and exhausted, the boys were asked what the best part of the season was and how they felt going into the championship game.

What was the best part of the season?

Braydn Szczepaniak #12: “Spending it with all of them because they are a fun group.”

TJ Fraser #11: “Spending time with all of us and the big innings when we won.”

James Corrigan #27: “I liked not having a great start and coming back and going to the championship."

Emmett Frantz #8: “I really liked playing with everyone because they are all my friends, and this there is a couple of people on my team that can hype us all up when we are down. And, we really didn’t do all that well in the beginning of the season and we built up until this point I think we just had a great game.”

Will Hyatt #14: “My favorite part of the season was when Emmett threw it home. He threw a guy out at home throwing from center field.”

Sulley Stois #2: "All of it. It was really fun."

Gavin Gillard#22: "Having the best fielding percentage on the team."

Eli LaDue #17: “Getting to spend time with my friends, everyone brings a different talent to the team and it’s so much fun being around everybody.”

How did you feel going to the Championship Game?

Braydn Szczepaniak #12: “Felt good to make it.”

TJ Fraser #11: “James home run over the fence."

James Corrigan #27: “I liked it and hitting the home run.”

Emmett Frantz #8: “It was really nice getting to this game.”

Will Hyatt #14: “Getting to play in it.”

Sulley Stois #2: “It’s an honor, it felt good.”

Gavin Gillard#22: “Felt like it was another regular, normal game. I felt good, I made an out in right field, it felt good.”

Coach Frantz: “We finished the year toward the bottom, but it took a while for us to get our stride. Like most seasons things come to together the best they can right at the right time. We had some opportunities and we took advantage of the opportunities to make the playoffs. So, if everybody out there is playing hard, then when the opportunities come you’re going to take it.”

2017 Team Roster:

Luke J. #33

Ben J. #21

Braydn S. #12

Emmett F. #8

TJ F. #11

Joshua H. #23

Sullivan S. #2

Eli L. #17

Brevyn C. #3

Gavin G. #22

James C. #27

Founded in 2011, the LCBA offers an affordable travel baseball program for the kids in the City of Lakewood. Players ages 7 through 16 can have an opportunity to learn the game and develop their skills as a player and their character as a member of a team. The LCBA is a committee under the C.R.E.C. board providing guidance and oversight of all Lakewood baseball programming for the Lakewood Recreation Department.

Try-outs for the 2018 Season are August 26th, 28th and 29th at Lakewood High School Stadium. For more information, check out the LCBA website.

Photos by Rick Uldricks