VINELAND - Who would've thought that adding back one of the games all-time greats, as well as calling up your top prospect would be all you'd need to go on a legendary run. The Goodfellas on Saturday, by returning Brian Stanzione, adding Anthony Lopez, getting an historic day on the mound from Justin Geri and; with one of the most stunning swings we've ever seen in this tournament, did just that. It's difficult to say that a 6-0 team needed some things to come together to end up champions, but this team will tell you it's true. After jumping out early on the PA Pork Missiles to win their first game, the G'fellas narrowly escaped the Goondingos with some controversy about their application of the time limit rule to win 5-3. They then were the beneficiary of a bad throw by Flapacs 1B Al Etter, allowing a very aggressive Brian Stanzione to score the winning run of a 2-1 win. "Just trying to make our own luck a little bit" said Stanzione, who's return to the tournament was sorely needed by the Goodfellas, as he would go on to drive in 11 runs and win Title Game MVP. "We just felt like that was a moment to push things and luckily for us it worked out."
By the time they reached their final regular tournament game, it was clear the Ironballs were out of pitching and the Goodfellas pounced, defeating them 14-0 on their way to the division title and #1 overall seed in the playoffs. They would go on to a re-match with PA Pork Missiles, who by then had sorted themselves out and were looking quite dangerous. They gave the Goodfellas all they could handle. Leading 7-6 in the bottom of the 6th, after an incredible play by Justin Baeringer to throw out Billy Jackson at home, the G'fellas were in dire straits. Down to their last out, winning run at 1st and team captain Rocco Lombardo at the plate. Lombardo had talked earlier in the week about how many times their season had ended like this. Something had to change. Lombardo, with his first hit of the day, let alone HR, drove a 3-run walk off shot over the wall in left, stunning the Pork Missiles and the crowd watching and delivering the G'fellas to their first title game since 2020.
"I just decided that was it, we had to win it there. I've got a walks record I'm proud of, and I'm sure I couldve gotten on and passed it along to the next guy. But sometimes you have to just make a choice, and thankfully that thing got over. I still can't believe I did that", said Lombardo amidst the champagne celebration in the locker room of the Willie J. Huff Complex afterward. It was a remarkable finish to one of the best semi-finals we've seen in a long time. It's the first walk-off in an elimination game since WP12, when teammate Jeff Lunsford hit a walk-off home run off Flapacs RHP Eric Bomenblit.
Once they reached the title game, Justin Geri set the tone. He set the tone all day. Geri threw 17 innings, striking out 27 and giving up just a single run (a solo HR by Etter) all day long. He was tremendous, and steadied the squad at times when they needed it most. Historically, the Goodfellas, like most teams, play well when they're ahead. Geri's title game start gave them that opportunity. Anthony Lopez, who had an exceptional rookie season (finished 2nd in ROY voting), drove in 2 early with a double. The G'fellas were off and running. After Stanzione homered in the 4th to make it 3-0, Geri had finished his 4 innings he was eligible to pitch and handed it off to Mike Tedesco. Ted struggled a bit at first, allowing back-to-back homers to Ken McCormick and Jake Guglielmi, to allow Bert Brigade back in front. Bert, seeking back-to-back titles for the 2nd time, were in the driver's seat now. But after Tony Donato had to exit after his 5 innings, the G'fellas went to work on McCormick. 3 walks to start the inning brought Stanz back up. He had his signature moment. A Grand Slam in the bottom of the 6th put the Goodfellas head for good. Even after Taylor Cheli homered to make it 7-5, Ted slammed the door shut by striking out McCormick to end it, and the G'fellas had their 5th title. It ties the Flapacs for the most titles in WP history. "It's great to win and reach the top with the boys again" said Tedesco. "Really, we've worked at this a long time and we've come up short too often recently. We think we're the best to ever do this and it's good to see that pay off this time".
Facts & Figures-
- G'fellas and Flapacs are tied with 5 Championships each, but the Goodfellas 8 title game appearances are the most by any team. They have appeared in 47% of the title games out of the 17 tournaments they've played in, going back to their time as "Rip City"
- Goodfellas also posted the 2nd ever undefeated run to a championship. The only other? Also the G'fellas, back in WP13 in 2019
- Rocco Lombardo reached both the 100 career walks and 100 career games played marks, the first to reach both
- Jeff Ronchetti reached 90 career hits. He also became the first pitcher to reach 200 innings pitched in a career.
- Dustin Graiff reached 20 career home runs, the 16th member of that club
- Ryan Ricci reached 40 career home runs, the 3rd member of that club
- Sawyer Brown reached 40 career hits, 50 career runs scored and 20 career home runs as well
- Allen Cruz reached 70 career hits and 50 career RBI
- There have now been 238 different players to participate in the 19 Wifflepaloozas
- Pat Ney recorded his first pitching victory, since throwing a perfect game to defeat Goon Squad all the way back during WP3 in 2010. It's the longest stretch between pitching wins in tournament history, at 5,523 days, or 15 years, 1 month and 14 days.
- Tony Donato became just the 3rd pitcher to reach the 200 career strikeout mark
- Al Etter became the first player to reach 100 career runs scored
- Wifflepalooza XIX saw 4 different pitchers record saves. That is a single tournament record.
- 249 total runs scored are the most in a single 6-team tournament in Wifflepalooza history.
- Bert Brigade's 75 runs scored are the most by any single team in tournament history, and their 38 runs in the semifinal game v. Ironballs are the most runs scored in a single game by any team in tournament history.
- Wifflepalooza XX is expected to be considered a week+ long event, with the actual wiffleball championship tournament taking place either August 1st, 2026, or August 8th, 2026, with an official decision to be announced at a later date. There are expected to be other events as a part of this grand spectacle, such as a HR Derby, Legends Game, golf outing, luncheon and more. Stay tuned for updates.
