FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The magic stays alive for the Lincroft Little League Baseball team and it came with the help of a player returning off an injury to finish the job.
Chase McDougall, who had been sidelined by a broken hand, had his first game back Wednesday night in the first round of the 12U state tournament in a 5-3 win over Blackwood Kiwanis at the Freehold Township Little League complex. McDougall was the closing pitcher, and with a runner on first and second base, plus only one out, he managed to help hold the lead for his team. Chase also went 1-for-2 at bat with an RBI single in the first inning.
His father and assistant coach Matthew said it's a lift for the team from Middletown to have Chase back in action.
"It was great to have him, he handles pressure well, he throws well, moves the ball and hits his locations and he gets pop-ups (and) ground outs," Matthew said.
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"In the beginning I was very nervous my stomach was killing me," said Chase on returning off injury. "But then my first at-bat I started getting a little excited."
After Lincroft captured an early 5-1 lead, Blackwood - representing Gloucester Township of Camden County - rallied back in the top of the fourth inning with two runs. In the top of the fifth inning, Chase came in the game at a crucial moment. Lincroft ultimately put four pitchers on the mound: starter Antonio Ciccone IV, Logan Travis, Cameron DeSevo and then Chase to close it out.
"We came in with a pitching plan, we took such a big lead so quick we kind of got ahead of ourselves and we got a little fancy, got a little away from our plan," Matthew McDougall said.
The magic continues for Lincroft
After going undefeated in the section tournament just the week before, the District 3 champs continued their unbeaten streak. On Thursday they’ll play Morristown, which beat Livingston 9-1. The winner of the double-elimination tourney will head to Bristol, Connecticut for the Little League World Series regions.
Lincroft is the first team from Middletown to reach the states since Middletown Little League won the title in 2018. Blackwood is back in the states for the first time since 1973; the club won the first state tournament in 1957.
“Winning's contagious, you just keep riding that high, you keep going," said Matthew. "This wasn't our best game by no means but if you can get a win even on an ugly day it's good, hopefully this continues through tomorrow."
After giving up a run in the top of the first inning, Lincroft responded back with a five-run inning right after. Jacob Karpell, Michael Annucci, McDougall, and DeSevo all got RBIs to help their team capture a lead in the bottom of the first inning. The bats were hot, especially Karpell who went 2-for-2 on the day, and Annucci, who had a two-run hit to bring home Travis and Karpell.
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Ace pitcher and leadoff hitter Ciccone also had a good day at the plate with a double and a walk. On the mound he had a strike in 20 pitches. He played strong wherever his coaches placed him at.
"Antonio, he's been our rock," said Matthew. "He's lights out wherever we put him: on the mound, shortstop, second (base), the plate, he runs havoc on the bases, he's definitely a star on our team that shines bright."
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Magic continuing for Lincroft 12U in Little League baseball state tournament
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