RE
D BANK – The players in the 2014 inaugural season of Two River Little League, which included teams from Little Silver, Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Fair Haven and Rumson, kicked off the season with a tremendous amount of optimism, enthusiasm and hopes of winning a championship.
The Red Bank Indians of the 12U Major League not only won the championship game over the Fair Haven Giants (12-1 record), but the Red Bank Indians shut them out 3-0 and completed a perfect 14-0 season. The Indians were coached by former Ocean Township and Henry Hudson head baseball coach and current Red Bank Regional Athletic Director Del Dal Pra. Dal Pra was assisted by Bruce Maida and Mike Havay.
On the field the pitching staff was led by Doug Scales who went 9-0 and rung up 75 strike outs in 37 innings pitched. Will Dal Pra also completed the season with a 4-0 record and sported a 1.76 era and Vito Mazza was the closer recording 4 saves and had a 0.79 era in 10 innings pitched.
At the plate, first baseman Saverio Caruso led all hitters with 18 hits and finished the season with an even .600 batting average. Center fielder Elijah Jules led the team with two homeruns while batting .355 and swiping 27 stolen bases. Shortstop Mazza also stole 27 bases and hit .486, and led the team with five doubles and 22 runs scored. Third baseman, Will Dal Pra led the Indians with 16 RBI’s while batting .416. The Rookie of the Year was utility player Gulio Caruso, who batted an even .400 and played a solid defense at any position the team needed him to play. Big hits were also contributed by right fielder Ryan McBride, who hit a solid .273 with two doubles and always came through in big games.
The Indian defense was led by catchers Anthony Ciccone (.222 batting average), and Chris Maida (nine walks, led team). Swing player Mike Havay played an almost perfect outfield and infield while hitting two doubles and scoring seven runs. Left fielder Cassiano Mobley always found a way to get on base and score big runs when needed while playing a solid left field.
The 2014 season proved to be a magical season for these boys and their coaches.
The initial Two River Little League season was organized, run and executed by the Leagues’ administration team. It took the Two River area 75 years to get an organized Little League but it took only one year to get a perfect team.
