Commitment Pays Off For Carmel Cubs

CARMEL—The Carmel Cubs 14U baseball team came together all the way back in January, with practices starting as early as 6 a.m., so it wasn’t shocking when they went 18-0 in the regular season to win the WPBA 14-year-old division. What was shocking, however, was their second-round playoff loss to Haverstraw that ended their otherwise perfect season on a sour note.

Carmel Cubs 14U team celebrates perfect regular season. Photo Submitted “For us it was more of a team effort, it’s not an individual,” coach Bob Shofi said. “Everybody melds together, it’s a nice group, and the camaraderie is good. It’s a special group of kids, the families are good people, and it’s a well knit group.”

The Cubs infield was comprised of Cody Nery, Mike Matessino, Mike Bello, Mike Palmiero, Joe Scapoli, Sebastian Russo, Jack Haughney and Rafael Santana. Zach Smrek, Rich Monahan and Tommy Shofi played outfield.

Brandon Tong Offensively the Cubs used a balanced attack to average over 11 runs per game. Smrek, Scapoli, Palmiero, Nery, Russo and Shofi all batted over .350 for the year to lead the way. Scapoli led the team in runs with 49, Smrek had the highest batting average, Shofi set the pace in doubles and RBI, Palmiero led the team in hits while Nery and Russo were considered the team’s most consistent hitters.

“Those are our catalysts, they were the kids that really drove the ball,” Shofi said.

Much like their balanced offense, the Cubs had a strong pitching staff headlined by Bello, Brandon Tong, Joe Burns and Stefan Soodekeo.

“Bello and Tong were 1A and 1B,” Shofi said. “They were tied in wins, so it was nice consistency going with those two. They were very similar pitchers, they got ahead of batters by throwing strikes and finished them off with curveballs.”

Bello. Photos by Skip Pearlman. Bello and Tong combined for 10 of the Cubs’ 19 wins this season, while Palmiero and Burns also made several starts with Soodekeo serving as the team’s closer.

Even with their pitching and hitting, the Cubs wouldn’t have been so dominant without their strong play in the field.

“There were a couple of kids that were superstars in the field,” Shofi said. “Monahan in centerfield was probably the key to our success earlier, as well as later on in the season, that kid played an unbelievable centerfield.”

In addition to Monahan, Shofi also mentioned Nery’s play behind the plate and Haughney’s work at first base as big parts of their success.

“We don’t want the boys to show up at practices and games like they’re going to work,” Shofi said. “They show up and we have fun, and that translates into wins during the season because they kids want to be there. I mean, what other kids are going to get up at five in the morning to go to practice in January? That’s how dedicated this group is.”