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Steve Koplove knows how good his team is. All it takes is one look at the Philadelphia Senators 59-6-3 record.
These 14-and-under players are beating some of the nation’s top youth baseball teams. Last week, they traveled to the Roger Dean Complex in Juniper, Fla., for the Perfect Game Baseball Championship Series and came home with a 4-2 record. The losses were by one run apiece.
"What is gratifying about it is we knew it, but proved that we can beat any team in the country," Koplove said. "The kids really played well. They were eye-openers.
"I am so proud of them. They went out there and were like brothers."
The South Philadelphia-based squad, which plays home games at 3601 Moore St., features 10 teammates from Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Kenny Koplove, the coach’s son, and John McAllister represent South Philly.
The double-elimination tournament hosted 14 of the top 14-and-under teams from around the country, including California, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, New York and Virginia. The Senators were the lone Pennsylvanians.
Perfect Game USA furthers the development and careers of talented high-schoolers. It produces the highest national-level individual-player showcases and team tournaments all over the United States, proving invaluable to scouts for colleges and Major League Baseball.
The Senators showed they could hold their own against the nation’s best by being one of three teams to finish 3-0 in pool play. As far as overall performances went, they were the best – outscoring three opponents 18-2. The East Cobb Astros, who won the championship, outscored the opposition 21-4.
LIKE PREVIOUS TOURNAMENTS and games, there were no individual stars. With only 10 on the roster, playing as many as three match-ups a day, each Senator had a significant role.
In pool play, they defeated the 14-and-under Diamond Devils from South Carolina, 7-2, plating five runs in the sixth inning to seal the victory. Jimmy Yezzo of Cherry Hill, N.J., opened the sixth with a double and scored the game-winning run. He also picked up the win, striking out six over seven innings.
Two runs were all the Senators surrendered in their three opening-round games. They also defeated Florida’s Space Coast Storm, 4-0. Senator Tyler Young of Coatesville tossed a four-hitter, including six strikeouts. McAllister led the offense with two hits and a run.
The team also defeated Florida’s Homestead Storm, 7-0. Slater McCue of Wayne tossed a two-hitter and struck out six for the South Philly-based group. Ed Rooney of Merion Station led the offense with two hits, including a double, an RBI and run scored, while McAllister scored two runs.
The playoffs began July 15 with the Senators on the diamond at 8 a.m., 1 and 5:30 p.m., making for a very long, hot and humid day under the Florida sun. Luckily, the team had an hour between rounds – to cool off.
"After each game, we went back to the hotel and put them in the showers," Koplove said. "We kept them hydrated and in the shade as much as possible."
But these athletes were so focused on winning, Koplove said, "I don’t think any of them said it was hot."
Unfortunately, having a small roster makes it tough to win triple-headers. The Senators opened the playoffs with a 7-6 loss to Florida’s Team Mizuno. The game was called after the two-hour time limit expired. Rooney led the Senators with two hits and two runs.
In the afternoon, the team recovered with an 8-4 win over Florida’s Broward Canes. Young had a double and a triple, while Berwyn’s Dennis Mitchell and Bryn Mawr’s Frank Burke contributed two RBIs apiece.
In their final game, the Senators came up one run short in a 5-4 loss to the Miami White Sox. Rooney led with three hits, while McAllister tripled and scored two runs.
Victory was in reach, but the coach has no complaints.
"These kids are something else," Koplove said. "They have so much heart."
The Senators have a short reprieve before heading back to Florida July 29 for the Elite 24 World Series. (see below.)
UP NEXT
What: USSSA Baseball Elite World Series
Where: Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Fla.
When: July 30-Aug. 6
Teams: 24
