Brick 11-Year-Old All-Stars Win Little League District 18 Title

BRICK, NJ — Brick Little League's 11-year-old all-stars are headed back to the sectional tournament, after winning the District 18 championship on Saturday.

It is the second straight District 18 title for Brick's 11-year-old team. Brick defeated Toms River Little League 2-1 at the Jackson Little League's Justice Turf Complex.

The game was scoreless through the first four innings, with both teams playing excellent defense and the starting pitchers for both teams throwing solid games, according to Mike Desmond, president of Brick Little League.

Brick starting pitcher Andrew Attardi threw five innings, giving up only one run in the fifth.

In the bottom of the fifth, Toms River's starting pitcher hit Attardi with a pitch, putting him on base. After a Toms River pitching change, Brick’s Max Steinhandler hit a line-drive single off a fastball on the first pitch to put runners on first and third. Brick's Jacob Booker drove a pitch to left field, scoring Attardi to tie the game. Steinhandler and Booker then advanced on a Toms River wild pitch, putting Steinhandler at third and Booker at second. Steinhandler scored the go-ahead run on a wild throw at second base after a ground out, Desmond said.

Brick’s closer, Danny MacInnes, threw six pitches in the final inning to seal the victory for Brick, the second straight district championship game that MacInnes closed out for the team.

"I watched the team celebrate on the field chanting back-to-back before shaking hands with Toms River, but I celebrated a little less because we still have unfinished business to take care of in the Section 3 Tournament from last year," Brick manager Jason Burgess said.

Brick was the Section 3 runner-up in 2022, and is aiming to win the section and advance to the state tournament, Burgess said.

A rule change this year by Little League International has teams batting in a continuous batting order, meaning all players on the team bat whether they are on the field or not.

"Most Little League all-star teams took less players, not this team, we took 13 players again," Burgess said. "There is not an easy out in our lineup. "

In the District 18 tournament, Steinhandler batted .867 with 3 home runs and 10 runs batted in. Brick's pitchers — Attardi, MacInnes, Ryan Guarda, Anthony Fornoro, and Booker — had a combined earned-run average of 1.51.

"Overall, the success of the team comes down to its work ethic and chemistry; most of these players have been playing together since they were 7 years old, and their comradery shows on the field," Desmond said.

"I am really proud of this team and am extremely proud to represent NJ District 18 again in the Section Tournament next week," he said.

The Section 3 Tournament begins July 10 at South Wall Little League.

The team:

#8 Andrew Attardi, #12 Jacob Booker, #33 Jake Burgess, #1 Brandon Ciccetto, #23 Brendan Desmond, #11 Anthony Fornoro, #5 Layla Goode, #10 Ryan Guarda, #6 Nate Iannuzzelli, #7 Jayden Jaycox, #4 Matteo LaTorre, #3 Danny MacInnes, #20 Max Steinhandler.

Manager - Jason Burgess, Coach - Josh Guarda, Coach - Dan MacInnes, Division Player Agent- Dylan Jaycox, League President- Mike Desmond, Strength & Conditioning Coordinator: Brian Goode