The East Boynton Beach Little League 12U All-Stars had a memorable summer on the diamond as they captured the District 7 championship, Section 2 title and delivered a strong performance at the state tournament.
The EBBLL 12U All-Stars finished with a combined 7-1 record and outscored opponents 86-28 during three tournaments. The team featured Devin Brooks, Hunter Cenkar, Asher Cohee, Gabe Dietrick, Jackson Evans, Casey Gleichenhaus, Jace Hughes, Tyler Johnson, Gio Monserrate, Jake Rucci, Matthew Shapiro, Marcus Stracke and Evan Zajc. The staff included manager Justin Zajc, batting coach Luke Evans, pitching coach Tony Cenkar, and assistant coaches Jeff Brooks and Rob Gleichenhaus.
“This 12U age group is one of the most talented groups in EBBLL history,” Justin Zajc said. “As amazing as the talent of these baseball players, they are also a great group of kids who all get along very well and represent our league with respect and class. The team bought into a team versus me culture and our success was a total team effort. Players filled their roles and responsibilities for the team and trusted the coaching staff to put them in the best position possible for success. The boys showed tremendous teamwork, sacrifice, selflessness, commitment and pure joy playing the game they love with their friends.”
East Boynton reached the state tournament in the 12U age division for the first time since 2003. They finished 2-1 during pool play at Pinellas Park. They were eliminated from contention to play in the state title game due to the tiebreaker for runs allowed.
The EBBLL 12U All-Stars crushed Wellington 15-0 in the District 7 opener. Cenkar had a grand slam and seven RBI, Stracke finished with two hits and three RBI, Monserrate went 2-for-2 with a double and Hughes also added a double at the plate. Shapiro, Evans and Johnson combined for a one-hit shutout on the mound.
East Boynton defeated West Boynton 6-2 to advance to the district title game. Dietrick and Stracke turned an incredible double play on defense to help lift the team.
Zajc recorded three hits and drove in a run, Stracke registered two hits and scored two runs and Monserrate added a double at the plate. Shapiro pitched 1 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. Evans tossed 4 1/3 innings in relief without allowing an earned run and recorded eight strikeouts.
East Boynton cruised past Boca Raton 14-4 in the District 7 championship contest. Cenkar recorded two hits and four RBI, Evans had two hits and two RBI and Shapiro added two hits and scored three runs. Shapiro and Cenkar both pitched effectively and Evans closed the game with two scoreless innings.
The EBBLL 12U All-Stars rolled past West Melbourne 12-1 in the Section 2 Tournament opener. Johnson ripped a three-run home run, Cenkar finished 3-for-3 with a double, Cohee recorded a double and drove in two runs and Evans added two hits. Brooks stepped up on defense with a diving catch in centerfield. Evans pitched a four-inning complete game with two strikeouts.
East Boynton held off Martin County North 7-4 to capture the Section 2 championship. East Boynton jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Evans went 3-for-3 with a double, Cohee finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and Johnson had a double and drove in two runs. Shapiro earned the win and tossed three innings with seven strikeouts. Cenkar recorded the save and pitched three innings with three strikeouts.
The EBBLL 12U All-Stars cruised past Dade City 13-3 in the state tournament opener. They fell to Venice 5-2 in the second game. East Boynton bounced back in the final game of pool play with a 17-9 victory against Lake Mary. East Boynton was attempting to reach the Southeast Region Tournament and the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
“This group has also been strongly supported by their coaches and long-time dedicated EBBLL volunteers, Tony Cenkar, Luke Evans, Jeff Brooks and Rob Gleichenhaus,” Zajc said. “Our little league runs on volunteers and these guys have given their all for a long time to this team as well as being role models on how to volunteer and lift up a league.”
The EBBLL12U All-Stars have previously enjoyed success in the last five years, which has also included winning the 8U district title, earning 9U district runner-up honors and capturing the 11U district championship.
“Going forward, I hope they inspire others to play this great game of baseball as well as inspiring adults to volunteer,” Zajc said. “If we as coaches have done anything, I hope we have developed our players to be coaches in the future. But for now, I look forward to watching them grow and do fantastic things in the future on and off the baseball field.”
Zajc also recognized EBBLL President AJ Quinones, advisor Ron Passino and Jessica Ferguson as well as sponsors and the community.
“The community support was felt by our entire team and something we will never forget,” he said. “It was my honor to be the manager of this great team and family. We are forever grateful for the special memories and we will always be part of the EBBLL family and these boys will always have me as a friend and fan for life.”
