The Farmingdale All-Stars, on the strength of Keith Karlsen's four home runs, won the 12-year-old Division title of the Plainedge Invitational Tournament on Aug. 22. The All-Stars finished with a 6-1 record after beating previously undefeated Bellmore-North Merrick 10-4 in the final.

Farmingdale went 3-1 in the round robin portion of the tournament and in the first round of the playoffs, they trounced Island Trees 13-1. Brian Patterson (3 hits, 4 RBIs) and Keith Karlsen (3 hits, 3 RBIs) each homered in the rout. Mike Bayen pitched a 3-hitter and added two doubles and a single. Kenny Seibert knocked in two runs.

In the second round, Plainedge held a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth when Karlsen hit a 3-run shot over the left centerfield fence to tie the game. Plainedge responded by getting runners at second and third with no one out in the sixth, but Karlsen slammed the door with two strikeouts and a pop up. In the last of the sixth, Brian Doyle led off with a walk and Patterson drilled a double to drive home the game winner.

In the final, Farmingdale faced unbeaten Bellmore-North Merrick and their strong pitching staff. First baseman Karlsen launched a two-run blast in the top of the first for an early 2-0 lead. In the next inning, the all-Stars loaded the bases. Andrew Budinoff and Bayen each walked to force in runs. Karlsen then drilled his third consecutive homer, this one a grand slam putting the score at 8-0. He had six RBIs in the game. Mike Bayen again pitched a strong game holding Bellmore's potent bats at bay. He struck out seven in the complete game victory. BNM's pitchers struck out 13, but the Dalers capitalized on walks and timely hitting.

The leading hitters for Farmingdale were Karlsen (.632 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBIs), Bayen (.526), Steve Traietta (.500), and Patterson (.348, 1 HR, 8 RBIs). Eddie Norton hit .667 in the round-robin but missed the playoffs due to vacation. The All-Stars were also missing third baseman Joe Ambrosio in the championship game, but Roy Seter filled in well. Colin Jones did a fine job behind the plate throughout the tournament. Manager Don Karlsen accepted the championship trophy on behalf of Coaches Ken Doyle and Tim Jones and the All-Stars in a ceremony following the game.