Hackensack Troasts headed to World Series
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Record
Are the Hackensack Troasts the best amateur baseball team in the country? The local powerhouse, fresh off a Met League championship and dominating performance in the regional tournament, is on its way to the National Amateur Baseball Federation’s World Series in Louisville, Ky., this weekend – a competition of the nation’s top 10 clubs.
The Troasts (23-9-2) are riding the longest hot streak in franchise history, having won 15 of their last 17 — including Monday’s 6-1 victory over the Ramapo Valley Giants in the regional championship game.
Player manager Butch Bellenger, a Lyndhurst native, said: "There’s no reason we can’t win a national title. We have the talent, we have the momentum. It’s in our grasp."
The first round begins Thursday afternoon, with the Troasts facing Buffalo, followed by a morning-afternoon doubleheader Friday against Indiana and Cincinnati.
Hackensack will be leaning on Dumont’s John DiGirolamo, who led the offense during the regular season with a .425 average.
