Despite an early pool-play defeat, the Sussex Hamilton Jr. Chargers U10 White team rebounded with four consecutive wins to capture the Richfield Rage Mother's Day Tournament title last weekend in Hubertus.
Before advancing to the championship game, the Jr. Chargers knocked off the Richfield Rage, 9-8, the Waukesha Firebirds, 8-7, and the No. 1-seeded Kettle Moraine Lutheran Jr. Chargers, 13-10.
Against the Rage, Will Leitzke led the Chargers with two hits and two RBI. Starting pitcher Mason Rebholz went 2.0 innings and didn't allow an earned run on just three hits and two walks while striking out three. Matthew Maillet shut down the Rage by pitching an efficient two innings. On 22 pitches, he threw 17 strikes, allowing just one hit and fanning three batters. Landon Mrotek delivered the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Against the Waukesha Firebirds, Charlie Zambon led the offense with two hits and Nathan Roth (HR), Leitzke (double) and Maillet (triple) each contributed two RBI. Roth got the start on the mound and allowed two hits, three earned runs and struck out four. Maillet provided relief again, pitching three innings and allowing just two hits with six strikeouts.
In the semifinals vs. Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Maillet had two hits (double) and two RBI. Devaj Sokhal smashed a double for two RBI and Nat Pfannenstiel also added an RBI by hitting a double. Pitchers Leitzke and Rebholz combined for 10 strikeouts.
The Chargers offense stayed hot in the championship game by scoring 18 runs on 13 hits to defeat the Rage by 12. Colton Fuller, Pfannenstiel, Maillet and Roth led the attack with two hits apiece. Pfannenstiel, Maillet and Roth also each contributed two RBI.
"All the hard work by the boys this offseason paid off this weekend," head coach Erik Leitzke said after the 18-6 victory.
Isaac Steele and Liam Igielski also contributed to the Chargers' championship with timely hitting, pitching and defense.
The team also is coached by assistants Jeff Maillet, Chad Zambon, Dan Pfannenstiel and Mike Igielski.