Erial Lights Up Scoreboard in Opener

HADDON HEIGHTS—In falling behind by five runs to Haddon Heights in the top of the first innning, things didn't look too good for Erial Little League as it opened up its defense of the league's 2011 District 14 championship.

Then Erial took its turn at the plate.

Erial put up 12 runs in the bottom of the first inning, en route to a 21-11 victory over host Haddon Heights Tuesday night.

Erial hit six home runs in the District 14 tournament-opening victory.

Ryan Colbert hit two home runs, including a grand slam and two-run shot, in the decisive first innning. Devin Leary added a three-run homer in the opening frame.

Erial is scheduled to host Runnemede at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Leary and Trey Crumpler, the No. 1 and No. 2 hitters in Erial's lineup Tuesday, combined for eight hits.

Leary went 4-for-4, with a walk and two home runs. He scored five runs out of the leadoff spot.

In addition to Colbert and Leary's four combined home runs, Anthony DiMartino, a returning member from the 2011 District 14 championship team, and Jaden Diaz-Lambert hit homers for Erial.

Erial manager Jeff Mastrogiovanni noted that Erial's 2011 11-year-old tournament team won the District 14 title at that level in a game hosted by Haddon Heights, making it appropriate for his team to open up tournament action there this year.

Clearly, Mastrogiovanni's team was comfortable at the plate.