The Syosset Braves, the 12-year-old travel baseball team for Syosset Baseball Inc., clinched the 2005 Cooperstown Championship with a 6-2 victory over the Long Island Lightning from Ozone Park last week at Cooperstown All Star Village. Their hard-fought victory gave Syosset baseball a guaranteed spot to compete at next year's tournament to defend the title.

The Syosset Braves are all players in the Syosset baseball intramural program who wanted to continue playing competitive baseball during the summer. These young athletes raised money by selling candy and obtaining sponsorships in order to fund their team. "We are pleased at the performance of our players and how so many rose to the occasion when it was most needed," said Ted Will, the Syosset manager. "They played as a team and made us proud."

After receiving a bye in the first round of the playoffs, Syosset faced Kensico in the second round. With a tied game in the sixth inning, Matt Feibert and Phil Scarangella hit back-to-back doubles to win the game and allow their team to advance to the championship game.

The defeat of Long Island Lightning during the championship game was a team effort. The game featured solid defense and outstanding hitting. Nick Bilianis, Tyler Will and Steven Engrassia contributed with home runs that completed a great performance by pitcher Chris Kelly. A home run saving catch by Richard Fischer sealed the game. With outstanding performances by both teams, Syosset played their hardest and ended the tournament with a championship title.

"Syosset Baseball has long held a proud history of not only providing baseball to the entire community but also to teaching the game from a very early age so that players can excel later on," said Bob Jolson, president of Syosset Baseball. "This 12-year-old team is evidence of this dedication, and every Syosset resident should be proud of their achievement."

Syosset's performance was exceptional throughout the five-day tournament. The pitching by Chris Kelly, Matt Feibert and Bobby Albanese was the backbone that led the team to victory. Steven Engrassia led with four home runs, followed by Tyler Will who added three home runs of his own. Max Bacher supplied the spark for the team, leading off with both solid base hits and bunt singles. The field was defended by Mr. Automatic Out - Phil Scarangella, and by Zach Freedman, Max Bacher, Richard Fischer, Eric Anderson, Nick Bilianis and Patrick Valent who all contributed to holding down the hard-hitting teams that they played.

The Syosset Braves had an exceptional season and the championship was icing on the cake, rewarding the team for their hard work and dedication. As a reward, the team received a five-foot trophy and rings that they will wear to remember this day through the years.

The Syosset Baseball Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is "to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways the interest of those who will participate in the SBA." Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the SBA program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the SBA program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes.