The Dodgers reached the finals of the 2009 Revere Little League playoffs. Front row, from left, are Kenny Leary, Lucas Binder, Vincent DeGregorio, John DiGregorio, Jalen Green, Brian Muniz, and Joseph Manta. Back row, from left, are coach Pat Horgan, Freddy Burns, Michael Ciambelli, manager B.J. Deveau, Jason Woods, Max Radzikowski, coach Scott Woods, and Frankie Davidson.
By Cary Shuman
The Giants, under the direction of manager Alex Wallace and coaches Steve Roncevic and Richard DiMartino, captured their second consecutive Revere Little League playoff championship, clinching the title with a 9-2 victory over the Dodgers Saturday at McMackin Field.
The Giants, who were 0-16 in the 2007 season, have now compiled a 39-6 record the past two seasons including a dazzling 19-1 mark on the road to this year’s title. The Giants lost their only game, 5-4, to Dodgers on May 12 but then proceeded to win 15 games in a row, culminating with their impressive sweep of the Dodgers in the finals.
Giants ace right-hander Richie DiMartino was the winning pitchers in Games 1 and 3 of the finals, while Oscar Zavala was the winner in Game 2. DiMartino, a league All-Star this season, was undefeated on the mound all season.
Three Giants players, Mirza Liscovica, Ronnie Burnett, and Danton Duque, hit home runs in the final game of the championship series. The Giants’ offense displayed home run power all season. Matt Roncevic (nine home runs) and Richie DiMartino (eight home runs) were 1-2 in the league’s home run race.
Wallace, who is in his third year as a manager in the league, credited his defense for leading the way to the championship.
The Giants are the 2009 Revere Little League City Champions. The team is pictured before Saturday’s championship game at McMackin Field. Front row, from left: Crismael Lithgow, Oscar Zavala, Hector Zavala, Alex Rivera, and Christian Ordonez. Back row, from left: manager Alex Wallace, Michael Dreeszen, Mirza Liscovica, Ronnie Burnett, coach Richard DiMartino, Danton Duque, Matt Roncevic, Richie DiMartino, and coach Steve Roncevic.
“Everybody on this team played exceptionally well in the field,†said Wallace. “In our second game of the series, Christian Ordonez made a spectacular diving catch in center field. When he made that play, we were all amazed, but the defense has been a key factor in our success all season.â€
The 12-year-old players on the Giants roster – Michael Dreeszen, Mirza Liscovica, Ronnie Burnett, Danton Duque, Matt Roncevic, and Alex Rojas – displayed excellent leadership this season.
“Our 12-year-olds stepped up, listened to the coaches, and helped our younger players develop their skills,†said Wallace.
The 23-year-old manager also credited the parents for supporting the team. “When we went through that 0-16 season two years ago, I told the kids and their parents to stick with the team because we were going to rebuild. I’m so proud of these kids for making the rebuilding process happen so quickly and the team winning back-to-back championships,†Wallace added.
Wallace played Minor League baseball in the Revere Little League. He graduated from Revere High in 2004 and started coaching in the RLL summer baseball program for his nephew Brenden Carter’s team. When Carter graduated from the league, Wallace decided to remain as a coach in the organization. He became the Giants manager in 2007 and has now built a dynasty that includes a 10-0 record in the past two postseasons.
The Giants players and coaches will receive their City Championship trophy at the league’s awards banquet next month.
