At the end of the day, win or lose, there is only one question that a team must answer---Did we give it our best? Did we leave it all out on the field? The GWA Senior baseball team can be proud that their answer is a resounding “Yes. ”

It was a month and a half journey from “The Shoe” to the sectional championship in Scranton, to the state title in Emporium, and finally to the Eastern Regional Championship game in New Jersey. At every stop, the boys played hard and represented the entire GWA community in a manner that made us all proud. Every great team must overcome adversity and this team did just that. Between the state tournament and the regional tournament, the GWA Seniors played in, and won, seven elimination games. In most of those games, they came from behind to win. It was only the eighth and final game in which they could not prevail.

At the first Senior All Star practice, Coach Carey said to me. “We’re going to be good—we’re going to states.” I rolled my eyes a bit knowing that Coach Carey, ever the optimist, says this about every team he has coached for the last ten years… But this year he meant it…and more.

There were so many memorable moments and games on this run, that it is tempting to recount them all. But instead, it’s worth examining some of the attributes that made this team so good. They had all the baseball skills: great hitting—good pitching—and good defense—and good baserunning. They also had great depth. They had five pitchers who could go out and win games in a shut down manner. Romanowski, Walkowiak, Granteed, Carey, and O’Brien all came up big during the tournaments.

The guys at the top of the order did their job—O’Brien hit over.400 and wreaked havoc on the bases. Mike Carey laid down critical sacrifice bunts. Trent Grove and Bart Chupka—the Bash Brothers—you couldn’t ask for more clutch hits from the number three and four hitters. Jake Granteed and Erik Walkowiak banged doubles to the gap in critical situations. Jordan Zezza and Adam Romanowski had hits that were game winners. And finally, the number nine hitter, Matt Klimas batted over .400 in the regional tournament and came through with big hit after big hit. Dylan Pegg, Colin Herron, Tyler Wrubel, Freddie Cefalo, Bryant Clark and Joe Erzar all did the job when they were called upon, whether it be for pitching, baserunning, defense or pinch hitting. Many of them will be back and will play a lead role in next year's team.

But ultimately, this team—played like a “team” in the truest sense. They were greater than the sum of their parts. Every game, there seemed to be different players who came up big at critical times. But ultimately, it was their confidence that carried them the distance. Before you can win, you must believe you can win. I remember walking by Erik Walkowiak when he was warming up in the state semi-final game. I said some words of encouragement and he looked at me dead serious and said something to the affect “I got this.” And you know what…he did.

The team’s ability to come from behind was a real testament to its character. Time and again, it looked like GWA was going to falter, but they always came back. Trailing 4-0 in the semi-final game against Maryland, GWA looked like perhaps they were overmatched. They answered with six runs in the bottom of the third, on their way to a 9-5 victory. Unfortunately, they couldn’t muster the magic one last time for the championship game.

How good are these guys going to be going into next year’s baseball season? After going through a month and a half of tournament baseball, they should have all of the confidence in the world that they can play with anyone.

Finally, kudos to Coach Dean Carey and his coaching staff, Freddie Cefalo, Trent Grove, and Joe Bellino. A baseball friend of mine (you know who you are) says that coaching a team is like holding a dove in your hands. You want to hold it firm enough so the dove can’t escape, but also gentle enough so that you won’t crush it. Dean had these guys playing relaxed and loose…but focused and disciplined. The coaches believed in them—and they believed in the coaches. Needless to say that everyone will remember the 2011 GWA Senior team for a long, long time. We’re all very proud of these guys.

August 11 1:00 PM - It was a long, arduous road to the championship game against Talbot Maryland. GWA had played 7 previous games, fighting off elimination in each of its last five games. As all of GWA's front line pitchers were used up, Manager Dean Carey went with Colin Herron who was making his first start in tournment play. Talbot jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the top of the second inning and it looked like GWA might be at the end of the line. Then, as they have done in every big game, they fought back and tallied 5 runs in the bottom of the second to take a 6-3 lead. Do you believe in miracles?

But it was not to be, as Talbot hit the ball hard and often in the next three innings to take a 10-7 lead. Tyler Wrubel and Matt Klimas relieved Colin Herron, but it was an uphill battle to stop the hard hitting Talbot team. GWA tried to mount a comback in the late innings, but could not capture the magic one last time. The final was 12-7. .

Bart Chupka had two hits for GWA. Nick O'Brien, Trent Grove, Jake Granteed, Jordan Zezza, and Adam Romanowski also added hits.

What a run this GWA team had...they gave it their all and were truly incredible.

Scoring Summary

1st Inning: O'Brien grounded out to p (1-1). Carey popped up to 1b (0-1). Grove walked (3-1). Chupka doubled to center field, RBI (1-0); Grove scored. Granteed grounded out to 3b (3-2).

2nd Inning: Walkowiak walked (3-0). Zezza singled, bunt, advanced to second on a throwing error by 3b (1-0); Walkowiak advanced to second, advanced to third on the error. Romanowski singled to right field, RBI (1-1); Zezza advanced to third; Walkowiak scored. Romanowski stole second; Zezza scored on a fielding error by ss. Kilmas reached on a fielding error by 1b, advanced to second on the error (3-1); Romanowski advanced to third, scored on a throwing error by rf, unearned. O'Brien hit by pitch (2-0). Carey grounded out to p, SAC, bunt (3-1); O'Brien advanced to second; Kilmas advanced to third. Grove doubled to left field, out at second lf to c to ss, 2 RBI (2-1); O'Brien scored; Kilmas scored, unearned. Chupka walked (3-2). Delaney to 2b. Rabbitt to p. Granteed popped up to 2b (2-1).

4th Inning: Kilmas reached on a fielding error by 1b (2-2). O'Brien singled to third base (1-2); Kilmas advanced to second. Carey out at first 1b to 2b, SAC, bunt (0-1); O'Brien advanced to second; Kilmas advanced to third. Grove flied out to cf, SF, RBI (1-1); O'Brien advanced to third; Kilmas scored, unearned. Chupka popped up to 1b (0-0).

August 11 - 10AM - When GWA went down 4-0 in the top of the third, one couldn't help but think--"These guys had a nice run." But as we've seen before, the boys weren't done. In fact, they just got started. GWA roared back and scored six runs in the third, and added three more in the sixth to defeat Talbot, Maryland in what amounts to be a semi-final game. Both Maryland and GWA have one loss and will be playing for the championship in short order.

GWA's third inning was a shocker. After having the first six batters go down in order, four by strikout--it didn't look good for GWA. GWA loaded the bases with no outs, after a couple fielder's choice outs, Trent Grove hit a 2RBI single. Bart Chupka followed with another 2RBI single, and then Jake Granteed doubled in another two runs. All of a sudden GWA was leading 6-4!

With the game 6-5 entering the bottom of the sixth, GWA added on three insurance runs. Erik Walkowiak and Adam Romanowski led off with walks followed by a Matt Klimas bunt single, loading the bases. Nick O'Brien walked in Walkowiak. Matt Klimas scored when Trent Grove struck out, but made it to first as the catcher missed the ball. Nick O'Brien then came across after a wild pitch.

Erik Walkowiak, the starting pitcher, ran into some rough going in the second and third innings, trailing 4-0. Ater GWA jumped into the lead, Walkowiak pitched the next three innings, giving up only one run. Colin Herron came in to pitch the seventh and the game ended on a 5-4-3 double play.

GWA's Matt Klimas and Bart Chupka each had two hits. Trent Grove, Jake Granteed, and Erik Walkowiak also added hits. Grove, Granteed, and Walkowiak each had 2 RBI.

Scoring Summary:

3rd Inning: . Zezza reached on a fielding error by 3b (1-2). Romanowski walked (3-0); Zezza advanced to second. Kilmas singled, bunt (0-1); Romanowski advanced to second; Zezza advanced to third. O'Brien reached on a fielder's choice (0-0); Kilmas advanced to second; Romanowski advanced to third; Zezza out at home 3b to c. Carey reached on a fielder's choice (2-2); O'Brien advanced to second; Kilmas advanced to third; Romanowski out at home 3b to c. Pegg pinch ran for Carey. Grove singled up the middle, 2 RBI (0-1); Pegg advanced to second; O'Brien scored, unearned; Kilmas scored, unearned. Chupka singled through the right side (1-2); Grove advanced to second; Pegg advanced to third. Granteed doubled to left center, 2 RBI (1-0); Chupka advanced to third; Grove scored, unearned; Pegg scored, unearned. Walkowiak doubled down the rf line, 2 RBI (0-2); Granteed scored, unearned; Chupka scored, unearned. Walkowiak advanced to third on a passed ball. Zezza struck out looking (2-2).

6th inning: Walkowiak walked (3-2). Wrubel pinch hit for Zezza. Wrubel grounded out to p, SAC, bunt (0-1); Walkowiak advanced to second. Romanowski walked (3-1). Kilmas singled, bunt (1-1); Romanowski advanced to second; Walkowiak advanced to third. O'Brien walked, RBI (3-1); Kilmas advanced to second; Romanowski advanced to third; Walkowiak scored. Delaney to p. Jones to ss. Blake to 1b. Rabbitt to 2b. Carey reached on a fielder's choice (2-1); O'Brien advanced to second; Kilmas advanced to third; Romanowski out at home ss to c. Grove struck out swinging, reached first on a wild pitch (0-2); Carey advanced to second; O'Brien advanced to third; Kilmas scored. Grove advanced to second; Carey advanced to third; O'Brien scored on a wild pitch. Delaney to 2b. Rabbitt to p. Chupka struck out swinging (3-2). 3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Scoring Summary:

• 1st Inning: O'Brien HBP, Stole Second, after walking Carey got in run down between 1st and 2nd; O'Brien Scored
• 2nd Inning: Granteed led off with Double, Romanowski got 2 out RBI single to right; Klimas 2 out single scoring Romanowski
• 6th inning: Trailing by a score of 4-3, Granteed singled, Walkowiak doubled, Zezza grounded out scoring Granteed, Romanowski singled in go ahead run. Klimas sacrificed Romanowski to second. O"Brien walked, Carey single, Grove walked with base loaded. 3 runs scored.

August 10 - 5:45 PM - Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the sixth, you couldn't blame this team if they just rolled over and called it a tournament. After all, they had a runner picked off first base in the bottom of the fifth, and the bottom of the order was up. However, there's something about these guys.... Jake Granteed led off the sixth with a single. Then Erik Walkowiak doubled to the gap in left center giving GWA life with men on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. A ground ball to second by Jordan Zezza tied the game scoring Jake. Then Adam Romanowski laced a single driving in the go ahead run. Adam already did a day's work, throwing a one hitter in the previous game. Trent Grove walked with the bases loaded to score the sixth run. Nick O'Brien, who came in to relieve Jordan Zezza in the fifth, shut down Massachusetts in the top of the seventh.

GWA has had its back against the wall for several days now. Jordan Zezza was called on to pitch, and pitched very well for 4 2/3 innings. Nursing a 3-1 lead, McDonald from Maryland tied the score with a two run homer in the fourth. Zezza ran out of gas in the fifth trailing 4-3, and was relieved by O'Brien. O'Brien, who started the first game against New York and only lasted one third of an inning, came back with a vengance. He pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, and didn't give up a run or a hit--striking out four. Not a bad day's work for a centerfielder...

How about this team? The bottom of the order played a big part in this victory. Adam Romanowski had two hits, including the go ahead RBI. Jake Granteed, Erik Walkowiak and Mike Carey had two hits each. And we can't forget Matt Klimas, who has been a hitting machine for GWA. He has a tournament average of .400. O'Brien was on base four times with one hit, 2 walks and a HBP.

On Thursday, GWA takes on Maryland. Marylanid is undefeated in the winners bracket, so GWA will have to win twice to win the championship. GWA All the Way. Why Not?

Adam Rules! Romanowski pitches 1 hit gem vs. NY

August 10 - 3:00 PM - It was a "do or die" game vs. New York as the Pennsylvania Champs backs were against the wall. GWA came out in the top of the first inning with Nick O'Brien belting a leadoff double. Mike Carey got him over to third on a groundout, and Trent Grove hit a sacrifice fly to score O'Brien. Little did anyone know at that time that this would be the only run that would be scored in the game.

Nick O'Brien took the mound in the first. He recorded the first out, then walked the next three batters. Manager Dean Carey decided to bring in his ace Adam Romanowski, who he probably was saving for the next game. With the bases jammed, Romanowski struck out the next batter and got the third out on a fly ball to right field.

Romanowski pitched the rest of the game. He allowed one hit and GWA played errorless baseball. Adam walked the first batter in the bottom of the 7th, but Trent Grove gunned him down trying to steal. Adam then mowed the final two batters down for the victory. Great pitching...Great Defense. O'Brien had two hits- Grove, Walkowiak, and Klimas each had a hit.

There are 3 teams left, GWA, Massachuestts, and Maryland.

August 8 - 5:00 PM. Finally...This team finally hit the ball like we were accustomed to seeing throughout the Pennsylvania State Tournament....but as always, baseball always starts with pitching. Mike "Bulldog" Carey took the hill today in his regional tournament debut, and his first pitching action since his rough one-inning outing in the Pennsylvania State Final. GWA has had its back against the wall since losing to Delaware on Saturday night. One more loss, and the team hits the Turnpike. Mike answered the call by pitching a 2 hit gem, striking out six and only walking two in six innings. Mike faced the minimum nine batters through three innings, and struck out the side in the third. Connecticut was kept off balance all day by Mike's offspeed pitches, and could only manage a single run in the fourth.

Now for the really good news--the bats have returned. GWA banged out 11 hits to go along with their 11 runs. Nick O'Brien led off the game with a single, stole second, was sacrificed to third, and then scored the first run on a passed ball. Just like Coach Carey drew it up. GWA put runs up in every inning but the fourth. Mike Carey, Bart Chupka, and Matt Klimas each had two hits. Chupka had a 2 run single, and a another single that ended the game in the bottom of the sixth. Matt Klimas continued his hot hitting and banged a double with the bases loaded -- clearing the bases. (Matt did the same thing in the Pennsylvania championship game). He is swinging a good bat.

But it was O'Brien who set the tone for the offense. His baserunning turned singles into triples as he scored runs in the first and second inning. For good measure, he added a sacrifice fly RBI in the third. Trent Grove continued his hot tournament hitting. Trent had one hit, and was on base four times. Jake Granteed pitched in with an RBI single. Erik Walkowiak scored two runs after being walked. Dylan Pegg also added a hit. The top of the order produced today--the first three batters scored six runs. Trent Grove and Bart Chupka are doing their part in the middle of the order.

It was all good today. GWA is now one of four teams who have survived thus far. It looks like Stony Point New York will be up next. Tune in to the game Tuesday, 7PM.

GWA Scoring Summary vs. Connecticut:

• 1st inning, O'Brien led off with single, stole second; Carey sacrificed O'Brien to 3rd. O'Brien Scored on passed ball. Grove walked, took second on a fielders choice, and knocked in by Granteed single
• 2nd inning: After first two outs, Obrien singled, stole second, stole third, Carey and Grove Walked--Chupka, single up the middle scoring two.
• 3rd inning: Walkowiak walks,Zezza sacrifices Wally to 2nd, Romanowski HBY, Klimas single to left, bases loaded. O'Brien hits sacrifice fly to right on 3-2 count scoring Wally
• 5th inning: Wally walked, Zezza HBP, Romanowski Sacrificed, and Klimas had 2 RBI Double. Klimas moved to 3rd on O'Brien Groundout--Carey, RBI single scoring Klimas making score 8-1; Grove, single, Chupka HBP, Granteed walked scoring Carey 9-1; Walkowiak reached on error, Grove scored making it 10-1.
• 6th Inning: Bart Chupka knocked in Dylan Pegg to end the game

Trent Grove and Nick O'Brien each had two hits. Jordan Zezza, Matt Klimas, and Jake Granteed also added hits. This was a bitter defeat for GWA as the game quickly turned 180 degrees in the late innings. But that is why we watch baseball--every time we think we know what is going to happen--something unexpected happens. Sometimes for the good--but today, it didn't turn in GWA's favor.

GWA drops to the losers bracket and will play a team to be determined at 11:30 on Monday. I think they still have some good baseball left in them.

GWA Defeats West Deptford NJ, 7-3

In the top of the sixth, GWA’s first two batters made outs. Then Bart Chupka lined one over the left center field fence. There was no doubt about this one—it cleared the fence by at least 20 feet.

GWA added three runs in the 7th when Erik Walkowiak, Jordan Zezza, and Matt Klimas all collected hits. West Deptford also helped the cause with a few errors. Jake Granteed came in to relieve Adam Romanowski after 5 2/3 innings. Uncharacteristically, GWA made two errors in the 7th inning and gave up a run, to make the final score 7-3.Make no mistake—this team can hit, and it will have to hit to advance in this tournament. These are all state champs, so the quality of play is very high. One thing that GWA has going for it, is its pitching depth--- assuming they can advance in the tournament. On Saturday, 5pm, GWA plays the Delaware state champ. GWA all the way? Why not.

• GWA Seniors Fact Sheet
• GWA Senior Roster
• Directions, Brackets, Tournament Info
• Map of Little League Complex, Thorofare, NJ

What a day of baseball! The day began at 1pm with GWA taking on the number 1 seed Crawford County (3-0) in the west in the semi-final round. . Erik Walkowkiak started for GWA and pitched four innings, yielding only 1 runs. The always upbeat "Wally" scattered 8 hits in 4 innings, and worked out of jam after jam. Nick O'Brien's strong throwing arm in centerfield, consistently kept runners from scoring or getting the extra base. GWA went down 2-1 in the fifth, and Jake Granteed came into pitch. Jake held Crawford County off balance and recorded 4 strikeouts in 3 innings. GWA showed grit by coming back with 2 runs in the sixth and 1 run in the seventh. Joe Erzar recorded a key hit and MIke Carey also had two hits to lead GWA to victory 4-2. Trent Grove , Jake Granteed and Jordan Zezza also recorded hits. Mike Carey scored 2 runs. But it was really the magnificent pitching duo of Erik Walkowiak and Jake Granteed that made the difference. Erik and Jake held Crawford County to 2 runs--a team that had scored 35 runs in their previous 3 tournament games. Of course, all of this couldn't be accomplished without stellar defense, and a big double play pulled off when Mike Carey snagged a line drive to double up a runner at second.

Read the Crawford County Newspaper Article.

The championship game with Horsham started at about 8pm after the 4pm playoff game went into extra innings. Mike Carey did not have his usual pinpoint control and had problems recording outs in the first inning. Manager Dean Carey made the move to bring in O'Brien in the second inning. Horsham could not figure out O'Brien. Solid GWA defense held the Horsham offense in check, whereas Horsham made several uncharacteristic errors. Horsham had been on the field in the hot sun since about 4pm and was in a tough extra inning playoff game with Mountoursville prior to its game with GWA. GWA scored seven runs in one of the middle innings to jump out to a 13-5 lead. Horsham closed to 13-8, until Grove hit is 2 run bomb over the right center field wall that sealed the deal. O'Brien pitched into the seventh and recorded two outs until he hit his pitch count limit. Jordan Zezza came in and got the final out--a slow roller to 1st Baseman Bart Chupka. The celebration ensued.

GWA families and friends celebrated as the team raised the state championship banner. What a day for GWA. What a day! Read more about the team.