The Goodland Bruins 12U club baseball team made a mark on the national stage last week, taking second place in the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament in New York.
The Bruins fell to the Eastern Massachusetts All-Stars in the championship to finish as runner-ups in the 104-team tournament, one of the nation’s largest open youth baseball events.
“It was the experience of a lifetime,” head coach Jesse Landeros said. “These boys played well, showing skill, resilience, and camaraderie.
“To finish second out of 104 teams is an incredible accomplishment, and everyone involved – players, parents, families, and our community – should be proud.”
The team went 9-1 overall, hitting 36 home runs while outscoring opponents 110-42. They also finished in the top six in the tournament-wide Around the Horn competition.
The Bruins went 5-0 in pool play to begin the tournament with victories over the Natick Redhawks (13-1), Massapequa Cyclones (9-7), Marlton Chiefs Orange (18-4), Sandlot Baseball Academy (11-6) and Ardsley Panthers (11-0).
As the No. 7 seed heading into bracket play, Goodland continued to roll with wins over the Stars Baseball Academy (12-0), Northeast Mariners (9-1) and Wisconsin All-Stars (13-5) to punch its ticket to the semifinals.
In the semifinals against Grit Silver of New York, the Bruins found themselves trailing 9-2 in the third inning. Goodland stayed in the game and caught fire at the plate down the stretch, roaring back for a 14-9 win to advance to the championship.
The Bruins and Eastern Massachusetts All-Stars then clashed for the title game in front of more than 3,000 spectators, and the All-Stars came out on top with a 9-0 victory.
Aiden Herrera led the offensive attack throughout the tournament with a team-high six home runs, while Rio Lopes, James Short and Judah Hooper hit five long balls apiece.
Calvin Firestone and Blake Bollman each homered four times, Frank Brostrom hit three while hitting over .600, and Joseph Demmin and Walker Torres homered twice.
On the mound, Eli Swartz struck out 22 batters in his 14 innings of work, while Lopes struck out 23 in 11 innings. Herrera caught the majority of innings behind the plate.
The 12U Goodland Bruins are Blake Bollman, Frank Brostrom, Joseph Demmin, Robert Denny, Calvin Firestone, Aiden Herrera, Judah Hooper, Rio Lopes, Jackson Murdock, James Short, Eli Swartz, and Walker Torres.
The team is managed by head coach Jesse Landeros with assistant coaches Brett Bollman and Grant Brostrom.