UD Cardinals Compete in Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament of Champions

Written by Steve Melick

On the heels of winning the Montco Travel Baseball League's 12U division title, the Upper Dublin Cardinals traveled to Cooperstown, NY to compete in the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament of Champions from August 24-30.  Upper Dublin finished the event with a record of 5-2 making it into the fourth round of playoffs after playing teams from NY, NJ and CA, ranking 31st in a competitive field of 104 teams.

The Cardinals recorded 88 runs including a walk-off home run and walk-off double both by Elijah Peck in pool play.  Players hitting home runs included Elijah Peck (3), Kevin Seddon (3), Greg Cooper (2), Ben Cheifetz (1), Shane Taggart (1), Jack Dratch (1), and Jared Lamberg (1).  Dan Glick led the team with 17 RBI's on 13 hits.  Ryan Melick shifted momentum in favor of the Cardinals in two games with a successful squeeze bunt for the go-ahead run.  Grant Molloy, Toby DeMoss and Jarrod Matz played flawless defense and contributed 22 combined runs on 28 hits.

Pitching for Upper Dublin were Kevin Seddon, Jack Dratch, Ben Cheifetz, Ryan Melick, Jared Lamberg and Dan Glick recording a total of 42 strike-outs on 221 batters faced.  Toby DeMoss, Greg Cooper, Elijah Peck and Ben Chiefetz caught for the Cardinals while Ryan Melick, Greg Cooper and Grant Molloy protected the outfield along with a committee of several other players.  Jarrod Matz, Ryan Melick, Dan Glick and Jack Dratch protected middle infield while Shane Taggart, Jared Lamberg, Elijah Peck and Kevin Seddon worked the corners.

The team toured the Baseball Hall of Fame and interacted with players from across the country and Canada during their stay at the Cooperstown Dreams Park.