World Series schedule
The Chambersburg Suburban American baseball team is playing in the PONY Bronco (11-12) World Series. The team left for Monterey, Calif., on Wednesday and will have 4 games in pool play. Here is a look at the schedule:
Thursday: Opening ceremonies
Today: Chinese Taipei, 5:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday: Monterey, Calif., 10:30 p.m. EDT
Sunday: Tamiami, Fla., 3 p.m. EDT
Monday: Kino Sonora, Mexico, 5:30 p.m. EDT
When they were 12 years old, Jeff Sollars and Andy Brookens played on the same Little League baseball team.
All these years later, Sollars said Brookens hasn’t changed one bit.
“He’s exactly the way he was when we were kids — it’s baseball, baseball, baseball,” Sollars said.
The two have teamed up again in a different capacity, though it still has plenty to do with the sport they love.
Sollars is the manager of the Chambersburg Suburban American that is at the PONY Bronco (11-12) World Series this weekend in Monterey, Calif.
Brookens, whose son Manning is on the team, is an assistant, along with Rick Christian. There are not too many PONY teams that can say they have two assistants that played professional baseball like Brookens and Christian, whose son Carlin is on the team, did.
Sollars is putting them to good use.
“They have a lot of good drills your typical 12-year-old won’t get and stuff, quite honestly, I’ve never seen before. I think we’ve all learned a
lot from them,” Sollars said.
Christian typically takes care of the hitting and outfielders, while Brookens and Sollars take the infield.
“It’s funny because when Rick was in pro ball, he said he couldn’t hit,” Sollars laughed. “But he’s been good teaching the fundamentals and Andy has also been a big help.”
A WINNING DEFEAT: One of the biggest moments of the summer for Suburban actually happened in defeat.
In its second game at sectionals, Chambersburg lost 18-3 to McCandless.
“We had a gut check after that game and coach Christian really lit into them after the game,” Sollars said. “They didn’t show any heart and really didn’t deserve to go anywhere. From then on, we knew we needed to win five games and said we’ll take them one at a time.”
American roared through the loser’s bracket and had to beat McCandless twice to advance. They did so, winning 8-1 and 6-5.
“We lost because we went in thinking we were going to win and instead we got blown out,” second baseman Jordan Shaffer said. “We just believed in ourselves and were able to come back.”
Rightfielder Trenton Ebersole said, “We were upset with our performance and we got better as we went on. We ‘flushed it,’ as coach Sollars would say and got our heads back into it.”
The East Zone Tournament went much smoother, as Chambersburg beat West Branch, Va., and D.C. Force twice by a combined score of 35-15.
“I’m really glad to be going to California. It’s an exciting experience to meet all the teams from all around the country,” centerfielder Manning Brookens said. “We worked hard this summer and really wanted it bad.
“That last out (of the Zone Tournament) was great; everybody was running onto the field. It was great excitement.”
First baseman/pitcher Hunter Brindle said, “Making it to the World Series was our goal. When we were practicing, coach always said, ‘Keep your eyes on the prize.’”
EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Most All-Star baseball teams are lucky to have a couple of weeks of practice together, let alone play any games.
This year’s Suburban American squad got a headstart on the competition.
Prior to playing in sectionals, Chambersburg saw plenty of action, playing in an 18-team Ripken tournament and placing second while also competing in Pittsburgh and Allentown twice.
The extra time on the diamond has paid big dividends.
“The one thing we did differently this year was we played more games than we ever have,” Sollars said. “That’s one thing we didn’t do two years ago (when they made the Bronco World Series). Last year I thought we were still getting ready in sectionals and it almost cost us.”
STELLAR SHAFFER: On a team full of all-stars, Shaffer has shone brightest at the plate for American.
It seemed whenever Suburban needed a big hit, Shaffer came through.
At the East Zone Tournament in Davidson, N.C., last weekend, he had three stellar efforts at the dish.
In a 12-2 opening victory over West Branch, Va., he had two hits, including a double, drove in two runs and stole three bases. In advancing to the final, he had a key two-run triple in an 8-3 triumph over D.C. Force.
Facing D.C. Force again in the title game, Shaffer another huge two-run triple during a seven-run rally.
“Jordie is really a level-headed kid,” Sollars said. “He doesn’t get too high when he does well — and he does well a lot — and he never really gets upset. Not only his hitting, but his fielding. He is sensational at second base. I think he’s only made one or two errors all summer.
“He’s come up with some big hits, he’s got a great swing and a good demeanor.”
At sectionals, Shaffer also had a game in which he was 4-for-4 with four runs and four RBIs.
PAST EXPERIENCE: Two years ago Sollars guided his Bronco team to the World Series, failing to advance out of pool play.
Chambersburg lost to Fountain Valley, Calif., 6-5 in its first game before coming back to beat Monterey 13-3. Needing to beat Chinese Taipei to advance, Suburban was defeated 10-5.
This year, American will play four games: Thursday vs. Chinese Taipei, 5:30 ET; Friday vs. Monterey, 10:30 ET, Saturday vs. Tamiami, Fla., 3 ET; Monday vs. Kino Sonora, Mexico, 5:30 ET.
“I’ve never been to California, but I’m really excited to go out there and play,” catcher Dylan Sanders said.
Joel Rineer may be reached at 262-4819 or .
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