Chatham U-13 Baseball Tops Cranford, 3-2, in 8 innings to Give Chatham its First-Ever Youth Baseball State Championship

CHATHAM, NJ -- Marco Vessecchia's walk-off RBI single in the 8th inning gave Chatham a 3-2 win vs. Cranford over the weekend, making the Chatham U13 White team the first in Chatham youth baseball history win a state championship.

Chatham, 29-7-1 on the season and winner of 23 of its last 25 games, advances to the Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament in Altoona, Pa., where it will compete against state championship teams from the Northeast.

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"This is a very special group of players, many of whom have played together since they were 6-years-old," Chatham head coach Brian Matthews said. "Every single player contributes to the team in a meaningful way.  The coaches are very lucky to be around this group of kids and look forward to watching them compete at the next level."

The team members include: Jack Bealer, Kieran Brendle, Leo DeTraglia, Colin Egan, George Engelkraut, Ryan Gabriele, Nico Marchetti, Leo Massenzio, Finn Matthews, Tommy Sciacchitano, Charlie  Stanley, Marco Vessecchia and Mason Polychronopoulos .

Matthews is assisted by Jeff Sciacchitano, Frank Massenzio, James Bealer and Ryan Gabriele .

In the state championship game vs. Cranford, Vessecchia's drive down the left-field line scored Leo Massenzio with the winning run. Tommy Sciacchitano, Kieran Brendle and Nico Marchetti reached base before Vessecchia's base hit.

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Vessechia started the game on the mound for Chatham, allowing one run over four innings.  Marchetti and Jack Bealer combined to pitch the final four innings. Leo DeTraglia drove in a key run in the second inning for Chatham.

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