Parkland Pokers 9u Baseball Team. {Courtesy}
By: Matt Rothman
It has been one incredible season for the Parkland Pokers 9U baseball team, which extended into the summer.
Led by Head Coach Mitchell Davis, the Pokers have won seven tournaments this year, finishing second in five. They also placed third in the USSSA Marucci Elite 8 Invitational and fifth in the Perfect Game World Series with 45 teams.
Manager Mark Longaro said the team has been incredible despite playing in an older age group for much of the season.
“Our boys know how to play as a team,” said Longaro. “They know how to pick each other up, which goes a long way. Our kids are a lot smaller than the teams we go against, but that doesn’t affect us.”
Their latest victory came in the USSA Elite World Series after winning five games from July 6-11 in Viera. The Pokers outscored the opposition 38-14 in their first four games before defeating Prime Baseball 8-6 in the Championship.
Other wins came in the SFTBL 10U Majors, USSSA Select Super NIT 10U, Premier League, USSSA Thanksgiving Select Super NIT 9U Majors, USSSA Fall Championship NIT 10U, and Perfect Game Striking Out Cancer 9U Majors. The Pokers finished tournament play with a record of 20-3-1 and went 59-19-1 this season.
The team consists of Blake Burden, Connor Baldochhi, Grayson Morrissey, Henry Mouser, Jaiden Ross, Jaxson Poole, Kellen Streicher, Marco Longaro, Mason Moody, Nathan Sandbrand and Ryan Glatthorn.
Next, the Pokers will resume their season in the fall when they move up to 10U and will likely compete in their first tournament at the end of August.
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