Somers 9U completes three-peat with championship win

SOMERS, N.Y. - On Sunday, June 7, GHVBL held its Championship Sunday, and the Somers 9U team was once again playing for the trophy.

It was the third straight year the team had reached the title game, and while talent never hurts, sustained excellence requires something more.

“There’s not one kid who thinks he’s better than the next. So everyone values each other equally,” said coach Don Kenneally.

That shared mindset helped the boys shine once again.

With a 9-4 victory over Greenwich, Somers completed a three-peat.

“It’s a great group of kids,” Kenneally said.

The Greenwich squad was no pushover, however, so Somers entered with a clear strategy.

“They had a really great pitcher, and we had a game plan to be patient,” Kenneally said. “The kids really delivered.”

Somers didn't wait long to take control. With the bases loaded in the first inning, Frankie Magnotta ripped a double that changed the game.

“Frankie Magnotta broke the game open in the first,” Kenneally said.

Leading 4-0, Chase Bello took the mound and kept things simple.

“I threw strikes and let my teammates play strong behind me,” he said.

The early lead never caused Somers to lose focus.

“The Greenwich kid had a high pitch count by the second inning or third inning,” Kenneally said.

When Greenwich's starter was removed, Somers sensed an opportunity.

“We felt the game was ours,” Kenneally said.

Still, the pressure never let up.

Angelo Indusi made the most of a pitch over the heart of the plate.

“I barreled it,” he said.

His bases-loaded triple pushed Somers even closer to victory.

Bello still had work to do on the mound, and he delivered.

“He did everything we could ask. Chase went four and two-thirds,” Kenneally said. “Exactly what we needed.”

One moment stood out in particular for the 9-year-old pitcher.

“I struck out Hideki Matsui’s son,” Bello said.

Eventually, Bello gave way to the bullpen, but no lead is guaranteed in a championship game.

“In a game of this caliber, every pitch, every detail is crucial,” Kenneally said.

Magnotta, who finished 3-for-3 at the plate, recorded the final out on the mound.

That versatility is a hallmark of the team.

“We have the ability to interchange any one of these players,” Kenneally said. “Outfield, infield, we don’t miss a beat. So we are blessed in the fact that we are deep.”

As the team moves up another competitive notch this summer, the approach will remain unchanged.

“We plan to do exactly what we did last season,” Kenneally said.

There won't be any change in the team's support system, either.

The players all look to Grandpa Aldo Belluzzi for inspiration, but the longtime superfan says he is the one benefiting most from the experience.

“They are resilient, have fun and are learning every week,” Belluzzi said. “I live for this.”

With a four-peat now on the agenda, Magnotta isn't feeling the weight of expectations. He summed up the team's mindset in a single word.

“Confidence,” he said.