By Joseph Manniello
Rewarded with a bye on Friday, the Cardinals looked poised to make reservations in Jackson, Miss., site of this year's NABF World Series.Instead, things took a turn for the worse, as the Cardinals (31-15) dropped a heartbreaking, back-and-forth slugfest to the eventual champion Virginia Barnstormers (the lone team to advance to the World Series), 17-12 before later falling 2-1 to Greenbelt Maryland.Finishing third, coach Ian Millman was pleased with his team's effort and, regardless of the loss, couldn't say enough about the thriller against Virginia.”To see great pitching on both sides get hit like that is just unbelievable,” said Millman, who is also a Dean at I.S. 25 in Bayside. “It was an amazing game to be a part of.”Before playing in the United States Amateur Baseball Federation World Series in San Diego beginning on August 3, the Cardinals will take on the NY Team Cardinals Red Friday at Cardozo in a family face-off of sorts.Comprised mostly of 17-year-olds, the Cardinals Red finished fifth at the NABF regional.”It's a great rivalry,” Millman said. “It's a chance for them to beat their older brothers.”Reach contributing writer Joseph Manniello by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
