The Haddonfield Little League’s Majors Division witnessed what might have been its greatest championship game in a 74-year history on June 9, a contest between Haddonfield Fire Company and Sandmeyer Steel on the complex’s main field.
The stands for both teams were packed with family members and friends on each side of the dugouts, and outfield fences were filled with dozens of baseball players from all age groups.
Although the fire company jumped out to an early 3 to 1 lead after the first inning, Sandmeyer eventually tied the game in the fifth inning, 4 to 4. After five-and-one third innings of tremendous pitching by its ace, the team posted a six-run lead in the sixth to take a commanding 10 to 4 lead.
The pressure was then on the fire company to produce at least six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning in its last at bat. Despite only three outs to produce those six runs, the team knew they had a difficult task ahead of them. But with the chemistry and camaraderie they displayed all year, the fire company tied the score and put the game into extra innings.
In the top of the seventh inning Sandmeyer Steel scored two more runs to take a 12-10 lead. In the bottom of that inning, Haddon Fire Company was able earn two hits and tie the game 12-12, loading the bases. With one out and two strikes, Alex Simonson hit an infield walk-off single to drive in Ethan Welsh for the winning run and propel the company to the championship.
