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The Stamford Babe Ruth 15's begin their quest for glory today in their first game in pool play of the Babe Ruth World Series in Monticello, Ark., led by manager John Calo.
Stamford is on an amazing run, winning all 11 of their postseason games in the state and regional tournaments. They hope momentum is with them, especially after three dramatic walk-off wins in the New England regional tournament.
"Those games were all tough games for us, but these kids never gave up," Calo said. "We know this going to be tough, too. We're one of 12 teams left at this age level. The first game is pretty much a crapshoot, so we just have to keep playing the brand of baseball we've been playing."
The team is still riding high from its string of late and extra-inning wins. Two of those walk-off wins came thanks to the bat of first baseman Jeff Cortese, but he isn't letting the heroics go to his head as the team faces its toughest test yet.
"It's not just me. I have kids in front of me getting on base, putting me in these spots, so I can finish it," Cortese said. "I don't have many expectations for the World Series because we haven't seen these teams. But we've met every challenge so far this summer, and I think we have a good chance of beating any team we face."
Stamford takes on Saginaw Valley, Mich., which is the Ohio Valley regional champion, at 10 a.m. today. The 12 teams in the World Series are split into two divisions of six teams for pool play. The top three teams from each division advance to the elimination round.
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