This time last year, the Diamondbacks won the third grade boys' baseball championship. The road to last year's finals was not easy, as the D'Backs had to come back from deficits in both play-off games to advance. In the final game, the D'Backs met the Dodgers, with the D'Backs prevailing 2-0.

They say lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place. Well it struck here again!

On Sunday, June 20 at 2 p.m. in Valley Park, the Diamondbacks faced off against the Cardinals for the fourth grade boys' baseball championship. Being down 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning, they rallied to win 7-6.

This year's team saw only six players return from last year. They were Chris Cordi, Andrew Duque, Jason Maloney, Danny Merola, Cole Schietinger and Eddie Troia. Added to this returning group were Francesco Borgognone, Bobby Carrozzo, Justin Liao, Jonny Masci, Austin Smilovic and Daniel Soyak.

During the regular season, the D'Backs went 7-5, but managed to win the last three games leading up to the play-offs. In the play-offs, the D'Backs had once again overcome deficits to advance to the finals. In the first play-off game against the Mets, the D'Backs were down 5-0 in the fourth inning only to rally and comeback to win 6-5, on home runs from Jason Maloney and Danny Merola and doubles by Eddie Troia and Francesco Borgognone. In the second play-off game against the Dodgers, the game was scoreless through six innings of play. In the top of the seventh, the D'Backs scored a run, when Chris Cordi was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. During the bottom of the seventh, Francesco Borgognone threw out two Dodgers attempting to steal second base, securing a 1-0 win.

The scene was now set for the championship game. It was Father's Day, the weather couldn't have been better, and there were many attendees. Subsequent to the reading of the rules by the umpire, all coaches shook hands and a ceremonial bouquet of white roses was handed to Charlie Merola by Pat Connolly of the Cardinals.

The first two innings saw strong pitching and solid defense with the occasional base runner. Jason Maloney from the D'Backs and Ryan Murray from the Cardinals were atop the mound. In the bottom of the third, the Cardinals scored five runs on solid hitting by Christian Zanetis and Daniel Connolly combined with good base running, coached at third base by Nick Smilios. The game advanced into the top of the fourth inning with Danny Merola from the D'Backs squaring off on the mound against Bryan Jeffrey from the Cardinals. These two were no surprise to each other, as they were in this same place a year before. The fourth saw the D'Backs answer back with five runs of their own on strong hitting by Jonny Masci, Justin Lioa, Austin Smilovic, Danny Merola and Jason Maloney, to tie the game. The score remained 5-5 through five full innings. In the top of the sixth, the D'Backs scored two runs on hits by Cole Schietinger, Danny Merola and Jason Maloney.

The score was 7-5 going to the bottom of the sixth with the Cardinals getting their final at bat. Five batters from the Cardinals came to the plate, one run scored and all three outs were made by fine defensive plays by the D'Backs first baseman Andrew Duque. The D'Backs had won their second championship in consecutive years.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the wonderful families, coaches and above all D'Back players for their commitment at practices and games and their overall sense of humor for making this year truly enjoyable. I would lastly like to thank Town and Country Flowers for their sponsorship.

- Charlie Merola