Sports
Suffern Wins Kayser Memorial Championship
On a night of remembrance, Suffern's Jack Scanlon tossed a 6-0 shutout victory over Stony Point on the final evening of the annual Kayser-Brady Memorial Tournament
The Suffern boys took down the Annual Billy Kayser-Alicia Brady Memorial Tournament Baseball Championship with a 6-0 win over Stony Point on Wednesday evening at the Anderson Field Complex in Orangeburg.
Suffern’s starting pitcher, Jack Scanlon, was throwing smoke when his team needed him most. Scanlon racked up 13 strikeouts and allowed only two hits in the championship game.
“You have good and bad days out there; today was one of my good days,” said Scanlon. “My team played beautiful. They were able to hit the ball well and I just did my best on the mound.”
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Suffern looked sharp in all aspects of their game but championships never come easy.
“A lot of practice went into this,” said Suffern Manager Tom Scanlon. “The parents and kids are really dedicated. The team works really hard to prepare and they played well. They played tough and with the heart of a lion. When they were down and had to fight, they just never gave up. They are a bunch of great kids.”
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This is the first Billy Kayser Memorial Tournament Championship Suffern Little League has ever won.
“I think my whole team played really well,” said Suffern’s Kasey Sullivan. ”Jack [Scanlon] was amazing on the mound and he hit the ball. When you get hits and you have your ace on the mound it ends up being a W. We all had so much fun playing and it feels good to win.”
The awards ceremony began just as the sun was setting and the lights at Mooney Bocket Stadium were starting to take effect. Just before the trophy presentation, Diane Kayser thanked all who contributed to making the event possible. The tournament is held in honor of former Pearl River Little Leaguers Billy Kayser and Alicia Brady, both of whom lost their lives in automobile accidents.
“Every year it amazes me to see how many people are willing to put their time and energy to keeping Billy and Alicia’s memory alive,” said Kayser. “Without the unending commitment of some very special people, this would not be possible. You are all truly amazing and I thank you.”
The tournament champions have been crowned. Nanuet takes home their first Alicia Brady Memorial Softball Championship and Suffern did the same in the Billy Kayser half of things.
“The whole point is sportsmanship and fun,” said Helen Brady. “It tells the whole story to see all these kids here smiling and enjoying the game. All of these kids are winners no matter the outcome.”
“Every year the kids are excited,” said Jim Kayser. “Nanuet and Suffern are both first time winners and it is great to know that another group of kids in a new town will be carrying around Billy’s memory.”
