Red-hot Roth Brothers team set to begin play in N.C. today

July 30, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

GREENSBORO, N.C.

After winning 15 of their first 17 games in the Class B, 16-U regular season, Roth Brothers found runs and offensive production at a premium and finished 19-8.

The post-season, however, has been a different story as they’ve won eight of their last 10 outings and will begin play today in the COLT East Zone 16-U Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.

The winner will then advance to next week’s COLT 16-U World Series, which will be held in Lafayette, Ind.

“Our sticks have come alive at the right time and with a World Series berth on the line, our team cannot wait for play to get underway,” Roth Brothersn manager Mike Cefalde said. “This is yet another chance to extend our season while the players are excited because they get to play against some of the best amateur talent in this region.”

Five teams comprise the East Zone field and in addition to Roth Brothers (30-12), there are two local entries; Greensboro-Green and Greensboro-White; Kempsville, Va., and the Youth Service League from Brooklyn, N.Y., which boasts former Cleveland Indians slugger Manny Ramirez as an alum.

“We know what we have to do in order to win and that is we must take advantage of any and all scoring opportunities. Our pitchers must work ahead in the count and timely hitting is always a plus,” Cefalde said. “We must play flawless in the field while limiting opponent opportunities.”

The team participated in the Cooperstown Wood Bat Classic in Kirtland in the middle of the month as a tuneup for regional play, going 4-2 overall and winning three games on the final day while battling out of the loser’s bracket to win the title.

They swept through last weekend’s Super Zone regional in Cranberry, Pa., winning all four games and outscoring opponents by a 31-14 count to capture that championship.

They stopped host Cranberry for the title, 8-3 as Danny Joyce picked up the win, Dakota Bingham the save and had Dominic Drummond add a two-run homer for good measure.

Team members include Chayne Cefalde, Kaden Davis, Dylan Dickey, Vince Garayua, Chris Gerberry, Joyce, Johnny Medvec, Chris Patton, Timmy Sumner, William Valentini and Aaron Woodberry.

Bingham is a tournament addition from Astro Falcons while other additions include Mike Grazier of the Ohio Glaciers; Donald and Dominic Drummond, Bryce Richie and Noah Suarez of Creekside Fitness; and Ryan Housteau of Dura Edge.

The team will be playing without the services of Richie, however, who is unable to attend due to the death of his grandmother on Tuesday.

“This is the make or break time of the season, knowing that each and every time you step onto the field could be the last game you play or with a win, move on with a World Series berth on the line,” Cefalde said. “This team is definitely ready for the challenge that awaits them.”

Roth Brothers has drawn a first-round bye and will open play today at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of the Youth Service League and Greensboro-Green contest.