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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/15/2018

Team Beast powers on at 15u

Nate Schweers     
Photo: Christian Moore (Perfect Game)

EMERSON, Ga. – Team Beast Black 15u improved to 3-0 at the 15u WWBA National Championship on Sunday with a 10-1 win over Diamond Devils 15u Blue. The New York-based squad has allowed just five runs through their first three games, and sit tied atop the Pool DD standings.

Team Beast wasted no time getting into the run column Sunday as they plated six runs before starting pitcher Devin Rivera even had to toe the rubber. Team Beast was able to grab their six runs on as many hits, highlighted by a two-run single from Ryan Steel.

Staked to an early lead, Devin Rivera tossed three strong innings in the starting role. Rivera, who is ranked as New York’s 21st-best player in the 2020 class, allowed just three hits and one run. Rivera was able to keep hitters off balance with a mid-80s fastball, and worked efficiently enough to throw just 41 pitches.

“I felt like my fastball was my only pitch really there today; I just didn't have it with the curveball,” said Rivera, who was able to attack hitters with the run support the Team Beast lineup provided. “It [run support] feels much better on the mound. It makes me feel like I definitely have the team behind my back.”

This Team Beast squad has been together for nearly a decade, and the bond these players have formed definitely can be seen on the field. With almost all players from the New York City and Long Island area, the team chemistry can pay dividends in such high stakes event.

“This team has been together for about seven or eight years, and everyone has been playing together for at least three,” said head coach Ron Colleluori. “Chemistry is excellent, they’re all very good ballplayers, everybody on the roster contributes, and we have some real good players mixed with some outstanding role players.”

The team chemistry these players have can be seen in the way they play the game. Every guy was constantly picking each other up and feeding off each other’s energy throughout the game on Sunday. While some teams put together kids from all over the country, Colleluori is proud to be representing the New York area.

“Rockland County [New York] is about as far away as we are, and it does lead to a lot of bonding. These boys know each other very well, and you can tell by the way they play on the field that is a huge asset.”

While a total team effort is important to any success, this group is led by middle infielder Christian Moore. Moore, who is one of the most highly touted prospects in the class of 2021, leads by example in all facets of the game.

“Christian has been with me for over four years now. What I’ve seen with Christian is that he is one of the most phenomenal athletes I have been associated with since I started this. The kid can do it all. You talk about five tools; he has every one of them, and he has them at the highest level.”

Moore, who went 1-for-3 with a hard-hit double in Sunday’s game, is ranked as the 12th-best player in the class of 2021. He has been up to 90 on the mound, and plays a phenomenal shortstop with a strong bat. Moore is also committed to Tennessee.

“I really like the campus and the atmosphere they have there,” said Moore. “They’re trying to rebuild and I really like that. We have two new commits in Colin Ahearn and Brady House, and I just fell in love with the campus and the way everyone carried themselves.”

While Moore continues to improve, he first burst on to the scene at the 14u Perfect Game Select Baseball Festival last fall. The Festival brings together the best 14u players in the country to compete on national television from JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida.

At the Festival, Moore was able to compete with and against the best players in the country, and he couldn't be more thankful for the experience of playing in a big league spring training stadium.

“That experience was wonderful. I met some great players including Blaze Jordan, who is the top player in my class and a really good guy,” Moore said with a smile. “It was just so surreal playing with those kids and having a blast on national television at the Red Sox stadium. I’ve never had an experience like that.”

Moore is part of a core group that is looking to continue making noise at this year’s 15u WWBA National Championship. Moore, Rivera and Bryan Padilla lead this team by their play on the field, and everyone looks to them to provide big plays and outings when needed most.

“My coach preaches all the time to lead by example and not by your words. My job is to show why I’m here and go out and be that leader by example for the team,” said Moore. “I think Devin Rivera, Bryan Padilla, and I all do that pretty well and I think that helps our team operate.”

Padilla is an excellent player himself, and teammates look to him as a third member of the core group. Padilla is from Brooklyn, New York, and is ranked as the class of 2020’s second best player in the state. With such a dynamic duo of he and Moore up the middle, this Team Beast squad is ready to make a run at a good Canes team to win their pool.

“We don't ever look forward, and we don't take anyone for granted,” said coach Colleluori. “You guys run a tremendous tournament down here and we know that at any time if we don't play our game, we can be beat. We are looking forward to that game [against Canes Midwest], and we are hoping that the players we bring to the table and the way we play the game will get us through.”
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