CT Blue Thunder Finishes Season 29-6

By Tom Conte
Connecticut Blue Thunder 12U Coach

The Connecticut Blue Thunder 12U baseball team proved to be a powerhouse at the annual Milford Summer Bash tournament in Milford, CT and Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament in Cooperstown, New York this summer. 

CT Blue Thunder stormed through the Milford tournament with a perfect 6-0 record to win the tournament.  The team then carried that momentum into the Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament which is the largest 12U tournament in the country.

CT Blue Thunder went 6-0 in pool play and earned an impressive 9th ranking at Dreams Park. The tournament encompassed 104 teams from almost every state and Canada. Blue Thunder defeated teams from California, Washington, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York. 

One of the real highlights of the week was a dramatic 18-16 win over the California Vipers. With the game tied 16-16 in the bottom of the 6th, the Vipers brought in their closer.  Nicholas Conte stroked a 2-run walk off homer that sent the Thunder faithful into a frenzy. 

The CT Blue Thunder offense was led by Sean O’Malley with 10 homers, Harry Rayhill blasted 5 and Max Deberadinis with a grand slam. Brian Cicero, Max Gasvoda, Reid Gesualdi, and Joey Skarad also contributed for a team total of 30 home runs. 

The “thunderous” success at Cooperstown was a total team effort with single and doubles from Jackson Vaught, Nathan Hadlow, Jake Hyde & Jack Bogdan. 
 
CT Blue Thunders run came to an end in the elimination round against a strong West Los Angeles team.  Down 8-3 late in the game, the Thunder roared back with clutch relief pitching from Jackson Vaught, but the rally eventually fell short.  

Pitching was also a key element to the CT Blue Thunder run as 3 teams were held to 3 runs or less.  Jackson Vaught, Harry Rayhill and Sean O’Malley led the way on the mound.  Every good tournament team needs a strong defense and the Thunder “D” was full of highlights. Jake Hyde made several smooth plays at shortstop, Jack Bogdan throwing several base runners out, Max Gasvoda with diving plays in the outfield and Nathan Hadlow making a game saving catch in LF corner to secure the win.

CT Blue Thunder finished the 2013 spring/summer season going 29-6 which is a reflection of a total team effort and hard work. Dreams Park will always be a Cooperstown experience to remember for the CT Blue Thunder players, coaches and families. 

For additional information about CT Blue Thunder you can reach them at Ctbluethunder@aol.com.

Editor's note: In the attached picture caption, "(C)" stands for "Coach." Jake Hyde is not in the picture.