Teaneck Southern Captures PBI Fall League Title

On Sunday November 16th, Teaneck Southern Baseball League’s 12 and Under all-star team battled 40 degree temperatures to beat Paramus in the championship game of the Professional Baseball Inc. (PBI) Fall League.

Paramus jumped out to 4-0 lead in the top of the first, on the strength of a leadoff home run and two errors by Teaneck. After Teaneck scored one in the bottom of the first, Paramus responded with two more runs in the top of the second to jump out to a commanding 6-1 lead. While things were beginning to look bleak for Teaneck on their home field, the players refused to give in, coming back with two runs in the bottom of the second inning and exploding for five more after two were out in the third inning to take the lead 8-6.

The remainder of the game was characterized by superb pitching and nearly flawless defense, as Teaneck cruised to a 10-6 victory and the championship. Brandon Soto pitched the first five innings to earn the victory, and was supported by two innings of shutout relief from Max Ballas-Bograd.

The victory capped an extremely successful season for the group. Traveling three states, the boys compiled a record of 40 wins, 17 losses and 3 ties. In addition to winning PBI, they also captured the Baseball Heaven (NY) Labor Day Tournament championship, and earned second place finishes in the Jersey Shore Beach Blast 4th of July Tournament and the Union Little League Invitational Tournament.

Kneeling (left to right): Matthew Holman, Daniel Diaz, Jaelin Johnson, Jordan Brown, Justin Torres.

Standing (left to right): Ethan Varela, Ivan Rodriguez, Brandon Wimbush, Samuel Tatem, Brandon Soto, Emmanuel Ortiz, Max Ballas-Bograd.