Whether it’s Major League Baseball or the Little League circuit, teams that have time to bond tend to have an advantage.

So it’s no surprise that the Jersey City-based Greenville American 12U baseball team – who has played together for more than three seasons – found success earlier this month at the Cal Ripken state tournament.

The win brought the New Jersey sports team their first-ever title in Greenville American history and clinched a perfect season. The triumph also earned the team a spot in the regional tournament in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.

Head coach of the NJ little league team, Jose Mercado, told reporters, "This team, they've played for three years together as a travel team in the fall.” He continued, "They all know their weaknesses and their strengths and they did a good job playing together as a team."

Greenville kicked off the tournament with a 9-3 win over the Clifton American Little League team and then knocked off the Union City Little League team with a final score of 12-0. They followed up those performances with back-to-back wins over Monroe Township Baseball Organization’s team.

The final contest began with Monroe taking the lead, requiring Greenville to make a swift comeback in order to win the series. Shortstop Andy Antonio sealed the rally with a two-run homer, sending the team on to Pennsylvania!

Mercado said, “It wasn't an easy game. Monroe was really good both times and gave us a real rough time. That (final) game was the best of the whole week."

"Our pitching is our strength. Whether it's Emily (Borowski), Andy or someone else, we have a whole bunch of pitchers," he continued, while discussing the NJ little league team’s success. "Every day is not going to be a perfect day. Other guys have to come in and step up to the plate."

Congrats Greenville American 12U and good luck in Pennsylvania! You make Jersey City proud.J

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