Baseball: Diamond Elite 14U Team Dominates

BACK from the left: Coach Sam Plank, Joey Skov, Chad Koehler, Dominick Marinelli, Gino Ventrice, Jacob Hand, Brandon Keiper, Hunter Gore, Patrick Hartnmann, Coach Mike Marinelli  KNEELING from the left: Carsten Wahl, Ryan Studebaker, Hunter Gressley, Lawton Riggs

(Nov. 6, 2012) - Dominant is the only term to describe the 14U Diamond Elite team performance in the fall season for the NVTBL (Northern Virginia Travel Baseball League) and regional tournaments . With a NVTBL record of 11-0-1 as Oct. 21, the Elite allowed just 37 runs while racking up 149 runs of their own.


This team of young ball players prove that hard work and dedication pay off, playing in three consecutive tournaments, remaining undefeated in two and losing just one game in another to come away as champions in all three events.

The Longhorn Stampede, held here in Loudoun County, showcased teams from Maryland and Virginia. The Elite lost a tough battle against the Olney Pirates, dropping them into the Silver Bracket, where they decisively won the next three games in a row to take the Silver Championship.

Next, this seasoned squad of 13 and 14-year-olds hit the road to Rehoboth Beach to compete in the Sports at the Beach tournament, taking on teams from all over the Mid-Atlantic. The Elite remained poised and powerful in every inning- even through a 4 hour rain delay- and crushed the competition, going 6-0 and capturing the number one championship spot.

The roadshow continued as the Elite traveled to Fredericksburg to tackle the USSSA NOVA State Fall Championships against some very tough Virginia teams. Scoring more than three times as many runs as their opponents (36 to 10) the Elite vanquished each opponent and pushed forward into the championship game as the top seed, and the team to beat.

In what has been described as the most exciting and intense travel baseball game in many moons, a back and forth battle ensued between the Elite and the Stafford River Bandits. The two clashed in three extra innings of incredible defensive plays and solid pitching before the Elite stepped up with an aggressive play - bunting with a man on third to send the winning run across home plate in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Countless clutch hits, dynamic double plays, athletic outfield catches, and phenomenal pitching performances led this team to victory again and again - teamwork and leadership combined with talent and drive has created spectacular season.

Learn more about the Diamond Elite 14U team and travel program on their Facebook page.

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