Stoughton's 14/15-Year-Old Baseball Squad Wins Hockomock Summer League Title

Editor's Note: Stoughton had four baseball teams advance to the Championship game in their respective divisions this season - 9 American, 9 National, 13 American and 14/15 National. Both the 9 National and 14/15 National teams won their single-elimination final played Friday night, July 27. Below is a recap of the Stoughton 14/15-year-old team's championship win.

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The following is submitted to Stoughton Patch:

The Stoughton 14/15-year-old summer baseball team won the Championship Friday night defeating Sharon 6-5 at Sharon High School.

Mike Manning pitched 7 strong innings in the win. The team was led on offense by Leo Lefredo, Ben Decelle, Dom Ford, Tyler Hardy and Manning.

Stoughton posted a record of 9-3 during the summer season and advanced to playoffs as the 4th seed. 

Last Tuesday they defeated a tough Canton team 8-3 at home. Jordan El Kary was dominant in the win, pitching 7 innings and allowing just three runs against a Canton team who had averaged 10 runs a game on offense during the regular season. Timely hitting and key defensive plays in the game by Mat O'Connor, Kyle Romaine and Ford bolstered the team in the win.

On Thursday in the semifinals the Stoughton boys had the bats going defeating Norton 11-1. Nearly every member of the team had at least one hit. Ryan McSweeney contributed two RBIs in the win, with Ford again coming up big with a strong pitching performance.

In the Hockomock Summer League Finals, After taking a 6-1 lead over Sharon, Sharon closed the gap to 6-5 in the 5th, despite a breathtaking diving stop by Ben Decelle at first base which kept additional Sharon runs off the board. Manning sealed the deal getting Sharon 1-2-3 in the home half of the 7th for the win and the Championship.

The players on this years team were: John Cresswell, Sean Perry, Ryan McSweeney, Tyler Hardy, Leo Lefredo, Ben Decelle, Dom Ford, Mike Manning, Jordan El Kary, Mat O'Connor,  Kyle Romaine and Max Delarosa.

The team was coached by Paul Barton, Keith Romaine and Ryan Skiba.

"It was a great summer season. Everyone contributed all season long and in the playoffs. I am really proud of these guys, they are not only Champions of the Hock League, but a great group of kids," said Manager Paul Barton after the win.