VINELAND- Right before the storm began that would cause just the 2nd weather delay in tournament history, the Goodfellas had yet to score a run. Their first two contests, against their oldest rivals, produced nothing offensively. "It was a rough start", said team captain Rocco Lombardo, "we really needed something to go our way to get us going. But once it did, we got momentum and once we're rolling we're really hard to beat". Indeed they were, as after collecting some walks, and blowing open what was a close game with the Ironballs to win their first game of the day, the Goodfellas ran off 4 consecutive wins en route to their record setting 6th title. In the final window of the day, the G'fellas still needed a victory to advance. In what amounted to an extra playoff game, they stared down their rival Bert Brigade in what was a win and get in scenario, beating them 3-0 to advance. After that, the offense exploded. Goodfellas scored 22 runs in the postseason, 11 in their semifinal win over the Goondingos and 11 in the final over PA Pork Missiles. There are numerous records and points in the day that shifted things, but the Goodfellas always felt inevitable. The entire talk around their situation during the day was, yeah they're down, but someone better knock them out before they get it together. No one could, and as the champagne flowed in the G'Fellas locker room once again, it's worth noting how resilient this group is. They are truly never out of it, they have incredible championship DNA, and until someone can beat them, you simply cannot argue with their methods and success.
News & Notes:
- The new strikezones clearly made a difference. But it might be worth a conversation among those with sway to determine if it was worthwhile and if other adjustments need to be made. Walks were down, year-over-year, from 35% to 29%, but strikeouts went up from 19% all the way to 34%. Meaning 63% of all plate appearances ended in either a walk or a strikeout. Hits were down -7%, runs down over 19% and home runs were down over 5%. This year saw an 8-year low in home runs, with just 28 total in 15 games.
- Longshots at the day's start, the Goondingos scrapped and clawed and drank and cooked and lit off a billion fireworks and dove and hustled their way to the tournament's #1 overall seed, after posting a 3-1 record in group play, upsetting Goodfellas, Bert & the Flapacs along the way. While they ran out of gas in the semis, this group's heart and enthusiasm are worth noting. Led by captain Jeff Ronchetti, who didn't walk one single time all-day, a resurgent Ryan Hutchings, and the tournament's Defensive Player of the Year, Dustin Graiff, the G'Dangs showed that max effort can accomplish great things in this tournament.
- It was a tough day for two of last year's semifinalists. Bert Brigade, who reached the final last year, won their first game of the day and then couldn't find the win column again. Missing their ace Tony Donato, the 2nd arm going into the day was a question. But Bert's incredible bats fell surprisingly silent at the worst time. After scoring 16 runs in their first game, they managed to scratch across just 4 total in the remaining 3 contests, including getting shutout by the Goodfellas in the win-or-go-home final game of group play. As for Ironballs, who reached the semis the last two years, not much went right. After undergoing a significant roster overhaul the night before, the Ironballs never got their footing, scoring just 6 runs all day, getting no-hit twice and walking over 50 hitters in just 20 innings. It will be interesting to see where the Ironballs go from here, as the same problems have plagued them for a few years, some significant changes seem to be in order.
- Goondingos RHP Jeff Ronchetti became the first pitcher to reach 300 career strikeouts in their 2nd game against Bert Brigade. He also reached 20-career pitching wins, becoming the 3rd pitcher in history to reach that mark.
- There were 3 no-hitters on the day. The first two, came in the same game, as Izayah Boobie Quinones and Dan Volpe, each threw a no-hitter against each other. They both counted, since it was the first ever Palooza game to be decided by a swing off, which saw the Ironballs win 1-0. Both pitchers get credit for CG no-hitters. The other no-no, and the 20th all-time tournament no-hitter, came from the tournament's top rookie Daniel Berkowitz, who threw a 5-inning no hitter in the Flapacs 8-0 win over Ironballs.
- Brian Stanzione became the first ever player to get his name on the trident for the 7th time.
- Four players reached 80-games played, Al Etter, Mike Tedesco, Brian Stanzione and Ryan Ricci are all now at or above 80 for their careers.
- Goodfellas P/IF Justin Geri reached 100 career RBI and 20 career pitching wins, becoming the 4th player to reach each of those marks.
- Bert's LHP Ken McCormick reached 10 career pitching wins with one on Saturday.
- Flapacs RHP Ryan Ricci reached the 200 career innings mark. He sits 2nd all-time with 203.
- Goodfellas pitching duo Mike Tedesco (204) & Justin Geri (219) both reached 200 career strikeouts
- Pork Missiles RHP Dan Volpe reached 100 career strikeouts with 28 on Saturday.
- A record that has held for 16 years, finally fell Saturday. After calling it out in the tournament preview article on Friday, we have a new all-time saves leader. Billy Jackson, who had 1 career save going in, recorded two on Saturday, including a 4-inning save in the title game en route to him winning Title Game MVP. Jackson now stands alone with the saves record, of 3.
- Wifflepalooza XXI is tentatively scheduled for August 7th, 2027.
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