West Deptford Super Sophs Defend Legion State Title

West Deptford has found success at the minor, major and the senior level of Little League.

However, the winning hasn’t stopped there.

The West Deptford Sophomore Legion baseball team (15U) captured a state title of its own Sunday, besting Mount Holly, 13-10, in the championship game.

Things looked bleak early, as No. 2 West Deptford trailed top-seeded Mount Holly, 5-0, in the first inning, and were facing a pitcher who no-hit the team in an earlier regular-season meeting.

This time the West Deptford bats were alive and well, led by Tournament MVP Isaiah Easterling, who was 5-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Even with Easterling connecting at the plate, the team still trailed 10-8 in the sixth inning. Alex Barroni changed all that, as he hit a base-loaded double that cleared the bases to give West Deptford the lead. David Straut successfully executed a suicide squeeze later in the inning to give his team a 13-10 lead.

"Barroni’s hit was his only at-bat of the game and he came up big," manager Sean Garrison said. "That is kind of how it went all year."

From there West Deptford put the ball in the capable hands of Ty Castellano, who had already had a busy day. Castellano competed with the Senior League team earlier in the day at the Eastern Regional, and arrived to the championship game in the later innings.

He took the ball for the sixth and seventh inning and closed the door on Mount Holly, getting around a walk and an error in the seventh to secure the win for Tyler Garrison, who earned the win in four innings of work.

West Deptford defeated Florence and Mount Morris to get to the championship game. The local squad faced Mount Holly three times in the regular season, losing twice, including a 7-0 decision. Sean Garrison said his team gained confidence when it finaly defeated Mount Holly the third time around.

“They were undefeated into the final week of the regular season when we beat them, 4-2,” Garrison said.

Sunday’s title marked the culmination of an incredible two-year run that saw the squad win consecutive championships at the Freshman and Sophomore level. Garrison said every player on this year’s team had a role in what was accomplished.

“They are a good team and I love the kids like they are my own,” said Garrison, who also coached last year's championship team. “Last year we went undefeated, and pretty much rolled through everybody and 10-run ruled them. We only lost one kid and brought on three new kids and they fit in great.

"This year was much more of a team effort, as far as everyone pitching in. Subs came in and got big hits for us. Last year we were 22-0 and this year we were 18-6, and it took a little more perseverance, but was much more of a team effort this time around.”