Southborough Youths Shine in Cooperstown Tournament

The Southborough Storm, who recently competed in the Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Tournament, includes (front, l to r) Mike Rozelsky, Nick Speranzella, Brian Sweeter, Alec Mazursky, James Kolenda, Chris Steidler, (middle, l to r) Josh Ufland, Michael Baker, Brian Kirk, Tim Keville and Connor Rooney. The team is coached by (back, l to r) David Mazursky, Tony Speranzella, Bill Keville and John Rooney. SUBMITTED Southborough - For the third time in the past five years, Southborough took a team of 12-year-olds to the Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Tournament. This year's squad, the Southborough Storm, played in the tournament during the week of June 21 and finished with a 4-5 record, the strongest showing of any Southborough team to participate in the tournament.

The 2008 Cooperstown tournament featured 94 teams from all over the United States, and one from Montreal, Canada. The Storm finished among the top 40 teams out of 95, and were the top team out of the Northeast. Southborough won their games against teams from northern states such as New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, and were defeated in competitive matchups by teams from warmer climates like Hawaii, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.

The team is coached by David Mazursky, Tony Speranzella, John Rooney and Bill Keville.

"These kids competed very well against some strong competition. We were a small town team up against some teams from large counties and cities that play yearround, but our kids were not intimidated," David Mazursky said.

Although the outfield fences at Cooperstown Dreams Park are farther away than most of the players are accustomed to, homeruns played a major role in the Storm's off ense. Over the course of nine games, the team hit six shots over the wall. Connor Rooney, Alec Mazursky, Josh Ufland, Michael Baker and Brian Kirk all contributed to the team's homerun total.

Southborough got key hitting contributions from James Kolenda, Nick Speranzella, Chris Steidler and Brian Sweeter. Ufland and Mike Rozelsky were on base consistently and kept the opposing pitchers nervous with their speed.

Kolenda and Sweeter were consistently solid behind the plate, and Steidler played a standout second base. Keville made some great plays at the hot corner. Baker, Rozelsky and Speranzella all patrolled the outfield with some remarkable catches and outfield assists.

"We played great defense and didn't give the other teams many second chances," Tony Speranzella said.

The Storm received outstanding pitching performances from Connor Rooney, Alec Mazursky, Kirk and Tim Keville.

"Our pitching was solid throughout the tournament," John Rooney said. "It's tough when you play so many games in only a few days, but the boys really stepped up."

Some highlights off the field during the trip included a team visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, movies and meals together at the clubhouse, and collecting and trading team pins.

"It was a great experience for the boys," Bill Keville said, "and we hope that Southborough continues to be represented at Cooperstown in the future."