The Cardinals entered the Tournament of Champions, Minor Division tournament in Nanuet riding a 5 game win streak (including 3 straight playoff games to win the PRLL title).  After losing the opening game of the TOC in a heartbreaking 9-8 loss to eventual champion East Ramapo the Cardinals bounced back strong winning the next 4 games (beating Suffern, West Nyack, Tuxedo and Nyack Valley Cottage) before finally running out of steam in a loss to Ramapo. 

The Cardinals represented PRLL well finishing 3^rd in the 12 team tournament with a 4-2 record.

The 2008 Cardinals are : Patrick Bateman, Matt DiLorenzo, Ethan Dowie, Joe Vitiello, Michael Murphy, Liam Woods, Ryan Doran, Dylan Markowitz, Brian O’Neill, Austin Havner, Tyler Bergin and Roger Camacho.

 GAME RECAPS:

 June 21: East Ramapo 9 – PR Cardinals 8  The Cards suffered a tough loss in the bottom of the sixth in a hard fought game.  The offense began the tournament with a bang getting successive hits by Ethan Dowie and Patrick Bateman both being driven in by Ryan Doran to start the game and take a quick 3-0 lead.  Matt DiLorenzo was strong on the mound striking out 8 batters in 4 innings and giving up one run. Ryan Doran continued his hot hitting going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s.  However the Cards had some trouble late in the game with the deep backstop in Nanuet resulting in a heartbreaking loss.  The Cards were down but not out.

After the tough loss to E.R. the Cards (facing their first elimination game of five) started strong again scoring 4 in the first inning, once again on successive hits at the top of the order by Ethan Dowie, Patrick Bateman and Michael Murphy all scoring. Austin Havner was outstanding pitching 5 solid innings striking out 5 while allowing only 2 base on balls. Stellar defensive play at second base by Patrick Bateman stymied numerous attempts by Suffern throughout the game to mount a comeback. Ethan Dowie continued to spark the team from the leadoff spot with 2 hits a walk and 3 runs scored. 

Matt DiLorenzo showed why he is the ace of the Cardinals staff in 2008. Pitching 5 dominant innings striking out 11 batters while giving up only 2 base on balls.  A tight 2 -2 game until the Cards broke it open in the 4^th inning scoring 5 runs to put the game away.  Ryan Doran drew a leadoff walk followed by a double by Dylan Markowitz. Two more walks were issued to Austin Havner and Brian O’Neill followed by RBI hits from Ethan Dowie and Patrick Bateman to close out the inning.      

June 26: PR Cardinals 12 – Tuxedo 8            Once again the Cards jump on their opponent in the first inning scoring 5 runs via RBI hits from Matt DiLorenzo and Ryan Doran.  The Cards proceeded to tack on runs in each inning except the 5^th to keep the pressure on Tuxedo.  Brian O’Neill and Patrick Bateman pitched well to keep the good hitting Tuxedo team in check while Joe Vitiello continued his impressive play behind the plate for the Cards as he has done all year.  Tyler Bergin continued to be a valuable asset to the Cards with his aggressive base running.  

June 27: PR Cardinals 11 – Nyack Valley Cottage 4      Nyack VC got the jump on the Cardinals scoring 2 runs in the first but the Cards responded scoring in every inning after the 1^st.  Matt DiLorenzo started the scoring in the 2^nd inning with a leadoff double and scored on a Brian O’Neill base hit.  Joe Vitiello had a good day hitting with two timely hits and an RBI. Dylan Markowitz pitched his way out of a tough 1^st inning jam eventually giving way to Ethan Dowie who pitched a strong 4 innings and played good defense off the mound.  Overall Cardinal defense once again ruled the day as it has all year while the entire lineup continues to contribute offensively with hits and aggressive base running.   

June 28: Ramapo 8 – PR Cardinals 4       The Cardinals trying to win one more game (playing it’s 5^th game in consecutive days) to play for the title and get another shot against East Ramapo finally ran out of steam after marching through the losers bracket playing 6 games in 8 days.  Getting behind early (5-0 after 2 innings) the Cards chipped away but were unable to come up with a big inning to keep up their winning ways.  Cardinal defense played well but Ramapo produced too many hits against a depleted and exhausted Cardinals pitching staff.