In the top of the 6^th, Elmora picked up an insurance run as Derek Escobar hit a RBI double to score Jayden Capidinca from 2^nd base.  In the bottom of the inning, with EYL leading 10 to 7, the troopers got a chance to demonstrate solid defense behind pitcher Jayden Capidinca.  The first out was recorded by a 6-3 putout, Sal Garcia III to Yadriel.  The second out came on a 4-3 putout, Yamil Soto getting the assist.  The final out was recorded a high fly ball to ten year old centerfielder Justin Labrador who made the catch 4 feet in front of the fence to end the game and clinch the championship.

This is quite an accomplishment for the Elizabeth based Little League which was founded in 1974.  The league chartered with Little League in 1999 and after a few rough years started making some noise in districts with a Junior Baseball District flag in 2003 and a 11-Year-old District flag in 2008.  The league has made recent appearances at the State level with Little League Baseball and Softball teams, but this team has the distinction of winning the first LL State title at this level.  In 2017, most of the current players were on the team that captured both the State and Mid-Atlantic 10-year-old championships.

Elmora Little League will now represent New Jersey and head to Bristol, Connecticut to play Pennsylvania in the Mid-Atlantic regions.  After losing to EYL on Friday night, Holbrook made it to the championship game by winning a Saturday night game in the double elimination tournament.  Holbrook would have needed to win two games against EYLL to take the state championship. 

The Sayreville Little League did an outstanding job of hosting the tournament.   The EYLL players, coaches and fans enjoyed our time at their great volunteer run facility.  We thank the Sayreville organization for their hosting the tourname

Sal Garcia III led off the game with a double and he scored on Rosado's 2 RBI double in the first inning action at the  Sayreville Little League fields
 on July 28, 2019.

The final two teams in the NJ State Championship game.

Coach Lou Aponte getting the team ready for the championship game in pre-game warm-ups.

Friday, July 26, 2019 - @ Sayreville Little League

Jayden Capidinca was called upon to get the final 4 outs in the Championship game.

Facing the Holbrook ace and with one out, Sal Garcia III crushed a fastball into the left center outfield net to put the Elmora Youth Little League team up 5 to 4 in the top of the 6^th inning.  Josiah Sharpe, after a pitching change worked out a base on balls to put the EYL tying run on at first.   Yadriel Mateo drove in JR Rosado with a line drive homerun later in the inning to give EYLL a 7 to 4 advantage.  "Yadie" pitched the bottom of the 6^th and recorded two strikeouts and a soft pop-out to SS Garcia to seal the Elmora victory.

The EYLL team got things started in the first inning with a lead-off double by Garcia.   JR Rosado got the RBI with a single that drove in Garcia for an early 1-0 nothing EYL league.  JR Rosado pitching in the bottom of the inning put two runners on with a Base on Balls and then a single by Holbrook.  He came back to strike out the side and end the early threat.

The teams battled to a stalemate in the 2^nd inning with EYLL leaving the bases loaded and Holbrook getting the tying run to 3^rd.  In the top of the third, Justin Labrador got to first on a fielder's choice as Holbrook went to third to record the out on the lead runner.   The speedy Rosado beat the throw to load the bases.  Rosado scored on a wild pitch and Yadie came in on a throwing error by the catcher.  EYLL took a commanding 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 3^rd.

JR Rosado walked the first two batters and Coach Labrador went to Yadriel in relief.  A fielder's choice scored the 1^st run for Holbrook.  A wild pitch got another run for the Section 3 champions.  Yadiel recorded a strikeout to end rally and keep EYLL on top 3 to 2.

After a quick top of the 4^th with the EYLL offense unable to mount a comeback, Holbrook had two on and 1 out after a double.  The EYLL defense prevented the runner from scoring as RF Labrador fired a throw to the cutoff man.  A two-out base on balls scored the tying run for Holbrook.  The next batter was hit by the pitch to record the RBI for Holbrook and the go ahead run (4 to 3).

The 5th inning was a quick one-two-three affair as both teams were locked in a close game.  The dramatic 6th inning comeback by EYLL puts them into Championship Game on Sunday.  The EYLL pitchers held Holbrook to 2 hits.  Holbrook will face Section 4 champion Swedesboro in a playoff game on Saturday.  The winner will play EYLL at 7:00 PM on Sunday.

Yadriel Mateo at bat for the Elmora Youth Little League.

THursday,  July 25, 2019 - @ Sayreville Little League

JR Rosado got a RBI single in the 1st inning to start the scoring in a close State playoff game in Sayreville.

Post game ice-cream is a must for the EYLL center fielder Capindinca.

LJ Aponte pitched the final two outs in relief to close out the game for EYLL in a 13 to 1 win.

2019 Joe Graziano New Jersey Little League State Tournament

Hosted by:  Sayreville Little League – Double Elimination Tournament Format

Thursday, July 25      
(1) Section 1(Sparta) vs. Section 2(EYLL) 5:00 PM - EYLL wins 13 to 1
(2) Section 3 (Holbrook LL) vs. Section4 (Swedesboro LL)-   730 PM Holbrook wins 8 to 4

Friday, July 26
(3) Sparta (0-1) vs. Swedesboro (0-1)  5:00 PM - Swedesboro wins
(4)  EYLL (1-0) vs. Holbrook (1-0)  7:30 PM - EYLL wins 7 to 4

Saturday, July 27
(5) Swedesboro LL (1-1) vs Holbrook LL (1-0)  @ 7:00 PM Holbrook wins 8 to 4

State Championship Game – Sunday, July 28 @ 7:00 PM
(6) EYLL (2-0) vs. Holbrook LL (2-1) EYLL wins 10 to 7

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