Derek Scialdone blasted 17 Home Runs today to outlast the field and take home the 2007 HR title. All ITL teams were represented in the 2nd annual ITL Home Run Derby. 31 current players and 2 alumni rounded out the field vying for the Leo J. Marino Trophy. After a slow start in round 1 the field quickly was reduced to 11 players to start round 2.
Things got more interesting in round two as there were 3 spots up for grabs in the final. Every team had at least one player make it to round two. Scialdone hit a record 9 HR's in the second round to set the standard. Tom Radzim (Chiefs), who was a 2006 finalist, landed in the finals once again with a 4 HR second round giving him 6 total thus far on the day. Defending champ Nate Bertolino (Mariners) hit 4 monster HR's in round two to give him 5 total. That would be the magic number for the last spot in the final.
Jered Stewart Launches one Through the Willow Tree.
Bryan Lafata (Mariners), the last hitter of round 2 and teammate to Bertolino, tied him with 4 homers in the round and 5 overall. A 3 out "swing off" was needed to decide the final participant. In the Extra frame, Bertolino was able to use his experience to out last Lafata. Bertolino knocked four homers to advance to the final. He made sure to thank Lafata for giving him some good pitches to hit.
Finalists: Nate Bertolino, Tom Radzim, & Derek Scialdone
In the finals, Tom Radzim contributed 3 more HR's. Bertolino was able to match that plus one to take the finals lead 4-3 with Scialdone still due to hit. The layoff didn't hurt as Scialdone was able to pick-up right where he left off in Round two and put on quite a show. 7 final round HR's took the title and ended quite a fun day at Patton Park. Congratulations Derek, of the Beverly
Giants. In the end, fans saw 59 home runs on the day. As many as 30 of those splashed down into the Patton Park Pond, all and all a great day. A special thanks to all players participating and helping out during today's event. We'll see you all next year!
Derek Scialdone blasted 17 Home Runs today to outlast the field and take home the 2007 HR title. All ITL teams were represented in the 2nd annual ITL Home Run Derby. 31 current players and 2 alumni rounded out the field vying for the Leo J. Marino Trophy. After a slow start in round 1 the field quickly was reduced to 11 players to start round 2.
Things got more interesting in round two as there were 3 spots up for grabs in the final. Every team had at least one player make it to round two. Scialdone hit a record 9 HR's in the second round to set the standard. Tom Radzim (Chiefs), who was a 2006 finalist, landed in the finals once again with a 4 HR second round giving him 6 total thus far on the day. Defending champ Nate Bertolino (Mariners) hit 4 monster HR's in round two to give him 5 total. That would be the magic number for the last spot in the final.
Jered Stewart Launches one Through the Willow Tree.
Bryan Lafata (Mariners), the last hitter of round 2 and teammate to Bertolino, tied him with 4 homers in the round and 5 overall. A 3 out "swing off" was needed to decide the final participant. In the Extra frame, Bertolino was able to use his experience to out last Lafata. Bertolino knocked four homers to advance to the final. He made sure to thank Lafata for giving him some good pitches to hit.
Finalists: Nate Bertolino, Tom Radzim, & Derek Scialdone
In the finals, Tom Radzim contributed 3 more HR's. Bertolino was able to match that plus one to take the finals lead 4-3 with Scialdone still due to hit. The layoff didn't hurt as Scialdone was able to pick-up right where he left off in Round two and put on quite a show. 7 final round HR's took the title and ended quite a fun day at Patton Park. Congratulations Derek, of the Beverly 
Giants. In the end, fans saw 59 home runs on the day. As many as 30 of those splashed down into the Patton Park Pond, all and all a great day. A special thanks to all players participating and helping out during today's event. We'll see you all next year!
