Maplewood 8Us finish fifth at Cal Ripken World Series

The Maplewood Independent Youth Baseball League's 8U team won five of seven games over six days and captured the Ironman Bracket championship at the Cap Ripken World Series in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Massachusetts and regional champion, Maplewood in Jersey opened with a 17-4 loss to World Series Bracket finalist Pennsbury and followed with two wins, 12-3 over Spring Ford Blue and 8-2 over Sacred Heart.

A 4-3 loss to Upper Allen sent Maplewood to the consolation bracket where the locals rattled off three straight wins — 9-8 over Sacred Heart, 7-4 over Stratford, 7-6 over GVAA Vikings — to claim the Ironman Bracket crown. That placed them fifth overall in the World Series. They finished play on Thursday.

Team members include Noah Cahoon (first base), Cam Medeiros (second base), Landon Ravenelle (third base), Noah Primo (pitcher), R.J. Fitzgerald (pitcher), Wesley Araujo (shortstop), Brayden Souza (multiple positions), Shea Doyle (catcher) Kaiden Furtado (left field), Luke Medeiros (center field), Brady Mak (right field), and Stephen Charves (right field).

Souza was named to the all-tournament team and Araujo won a golden glove. Both will have their pictures displayed on a Cal Ripken board at next year's world series.

During their stay at the world series, Maplewood visted LaSalle University and met head coach David Miller, a former All-American at Clemson, a 1995 Major League Baseball first-round draft by the Cleveland Indians. Miller attended games at the Cal Ripken World Series and delivered motivational talks to the Maplewooders. He even took them to a Philadelphia Phillies game. Stephen Charves' father, Joe Charves, attended LaSalle.

After claiming the Massachusetts District 5 title and the Eastern Massachusetts title, Maplewood went 5-0 at the New England Regional in Milford, Conn., capturing the championship game 3-2 in eight innings.

Maplewood is managed by Craig Araujo. The coaches are Jeff Medeiros and Ryan Doyle.