By The TimesLedger
The Bayside Little League 12-year-old All-Stars, who won the District 26 championship, captured the Gorman Tournament championship with an 8-0 shutout over Forest Hills. The victory topped off the summer season in which Bayside earned the district championship, the Gorman title and second place in the Oceanside tournament which features 20 tough teams from Long Island. The All stars combined record was 25-8 for the summer.
The core of the team has been together for five years, in which time they have earned two district flags, the Seplowe, Rosenbluth and the Gorman titles.
At one time or another every player on this team has come with an outstanding performance. Alex Kalinkos was brilliant on the mound combined 8-0 record, including a 17-strikeout performance against Forest Hills and a nine-inning two-run game against Rockville Center.
Peter Regan (.490 average) edged out Tim Doephner’s .475 and Sun Ho Kim’s .474 for the batting title. Kim blasted 16 homers, including three-game winners and 40 RBIs, with a 5-2 pitching record. Lead-off shortstop Mike Canforota score 33 runs in 31 games.
Clutch hitting and pitching of Mike Karcinski (4-0) was critical in district play, as was Robert LaRusso’s bottom of the sixth inning two-out grand slam home run to edge out MQFM, 7- 6. Angelo Castanos was stellar at first base, as was catcher John McManus. Richie Marchisello was his usual solid self at second base and Nick Anthanoupoulos handled the hot comer. Joe Bruno and Gerard Cash came up big in the outfield, while Sal Rongo rounded out the pitching staff (3-0).
