The Downtown Little League Seniors (15-16 year old division) were crowned 2010 Champions of the combined GVLL/PSLL/DTLL Seniors Division on June 20. The DLL squad went into the playoffs seeded number one after 
sweeping the then first place GVLL Blues the week before to take over first place on the last day of the regular season. On Saturday June 19 Downtown defeated the Peter Stuyvesant LL Expos 7-2 behind an eight strikeout, 5 hit, two run performance from Jake Bader. DLL got off to a great start by scoring 4 runs in the first inning and Jake did not allow a run until the Expos fourth. DLL came right back with two runs in their half of the fourth to keep the lead at four runs. The hitting stars were Nicky Bader who went 3-4, Luis Vargas 2-4, Lucas Ortega 2-4 and Kyle Maer 2-4. The victory earned the squad the right to face the GVLL Blues in the Championship game.
The Championship game was a nail bitter from the start. The Blues took an early 1-0 lead into their half of the fourth when they scored their second run to take a 2-0 lead. Downtown came back with one run in the bottom of the fourth but the Blues increased their lead with three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 5-1 lead. Downtown got a run back in their half of the fifth. The game turned around in the top of the sixth. Assisted by a strikeout and two nice plays in the Downtown infield, the Blues went down 1-2-3 in their half of the sixth. In the bottom of the inning Roy Vlcek lead off with a triple to the deepest part of the Murry Bergtraum outfield. Five walks followed forcing in 3 runs to tie the game. DLL set up the dramatic ending by turning a double play in the top of the seventh to quash a Blues rally. In the bottom of the seventh Tommy Nelen lead off and was hit by a pitch. After getting caught stealing, Roy Vlcek walked. Lucas Ortega then reached on an error by the shortstop bringing up Kyle Maer, who crushed the first pitch over the left fielder’s head, driving in Vlcek to win the game in walk off style. A mad celebration ensued to cap off the monumental win and Championship crown for the Downtown Little League Seniors.
Jess Coleman
