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08/17/2023 07:25 AMFor the Madison 19-U Travel baseball team, the summer of 2023 saw them put forth the most prime example of how teamwork can truly pave the way for success.
Madison, led by co-Head Coaches Jason Vitale and Adam Nuzzo, concluded their 2023 campaign with a hearty and superb record of 14-8-1 overall. Furthermore, the Tigers captured the 19-U East Shore Travel League Tournament crown. Vitale detailed that not only did the boys steadily improve as players throughout the process, but they also gained great introspection and perspective about becoming upstanding young men.
“The goals for this season were to develop as players on the field and to develop as people off the field, hone in skills that were already good, and work on weaknesses to make them better,” said Vitale. “Winning the 19-U East Shore Travel League was the ultimate goal. On behalf of the coaches, we believe every goal we set was met, and the expectations we put on our players were met and exceeded better than expected.”
In the league draw, Madison went a perfect 3-0. The squad first defeated Clinton 6-1 before edging out the New England Knights twice, with 2-1 finals in each matchup, to claim the throne and put a cap on the campaign and its crowning achievement, among several other feats.
“Our major accomplishments included winning the championship, plus growing on and off the field as players and coaches as well,” said Vitale. “Since this team was made up of players outside of Madison along with the Madison players, it was the coaches’ job as well as the players to mesh well together, which they did an exceptional job of doing.”
Vitale added that regardless of each athlete’s background or hometown, everyone contributed to the team’s overall success by bringing their own special talents and intangibles to the table, while cultivating club cohesion.
“Every player developed in their own way on the field, because every player is different and not everyone can do the same as some other players,” said Vitale. “As far as off the field, the players would hang out a lot together, whether that was getting food after games or practices, or hanging out at someone’s house.”
Offensively, Branford’s Austin Rhodes led with a .417 batting average with 11 RBI, plus Nick Antonetti of Madison hit to a .400 clip. Additionally, Guilford’s Max Corbett contributed a .349 average, and Nick Denovellis plated a .306 average. Branford’s TJ Wenger drove in nine runs as well.
On the mound, Brandon Rosa of Guilford produced a 1.84 earned-run average, while Antonio Lynk of Branford had a 2.14 mark, with 57 strikeouts in 32.2 frames pitched. Guilford’s Ryan Halas added a 2.21 earned-run spot. Corbett also fanned 48 batters in 27 innings of work, including a one-hit, 13 strikeout showing in the East Shore title clash.
While harvesting a collection of some of the finest sluggers the Shoreline has to offer, Madison crafted a tandem of credos to abide by through the grind, and they certainly took both mottos near and dear to heart.
“The biggest improvements were bringing together players from other towns and meshing quickly together, and getting to the final goal, which was to win the league,” said Vitale. “We coined the phrases, ‘why not us?’ and ‘the job is not finished’ to ensure the players believed in what we were doing and showing them we can get the job done.”
Lastly, each one of Madison’s well-versed and skilled skippers were thoroughly entertained and fulfilled by mentoring a group of competitors to the top, including one of which that experienced a swell swan song with coaching.
“This season meant the most to me because it was my final year coaching baseball,” said Vitale. “I couldn’t be prouder to coach such a great group of kids and have the support of their parents. I believe it meant a lot to the players to win the league and know how good of a team they are. Knowing I went out on top and on my own terms is a blessing for me.”
Vitale’s coaching colleagues tacked on their heart-felt sentiments on how not only Madison produced a well-oiled machine, but a fully operational clubhouse devoid of any dysfunction.
“The guys really gelled well together. We had a lot of fun on the field during practices and games. It made it really enjoyable to go down to the field everyday,” added Nuzzo. “Winning it all was just icing on the cake. It gave way for some guys to go out that might not get to play organized ball again.”
Assistant Coach Ross Prior added his thoughts on the season, saying he enjoyed being around such a great group of people that were all focused on the same goal.
“It was a great season. I had a lot of fun being around the players, parents and other coaches,” said Prior. “I was glad to be a part of it.”
The Madison 2023 roster included Rosa (from Guilford), Denovellis (Old Saybrook), David Quoka (Madison), Rhodes (Branford), Wenger (Branford), Teddy Marino (Madison), Corbett (Guilford), Lynk (Branford), Cooper Burke (Madison), Matt Fasulo (Madison), Antonetti (Madison), Charlie Carmichael (Old Saybrook), Braeden Simmons (Madison), Vinny Benevento (Madison), Shailen Pathy (Madison), and Halas (Guilford).
Vinny Benevento also joined Prior, Nuzzo, and Vitale in the dugout this summer as an assistant coach.