N. Howell Seniors repeat as District 11 champions
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Before the start of the District 11 playoffs, Keith Weber, the manager of the North Howell Little League's Senior League All-Star team, took his club for a walk.

They strolled over to the District 11 championship banner from the 2006 season, which was on the North Howell Little League fence. It needed company.

"I told them we need to put another sign next to this one with your names on it that says back-to-back champions," he recalled.

The North Howell all-stars got the message loud and clear. Beating their neighbors, Howell Central (12-1) and Howell South (10-7), they repeated as District 11 champions, providing the 2006 champions with some company.

"We had very similar teams," said Weber. "We had five pitchers. It was pitcher by committee."

North Howell used every one of its pitchers as Weber made sure to keep his arms fresh.

Mario Raccuglia started both games for North Howell. With the team jumping on Howell Central early, he threw under 20 pitches, allowing him to come back the next game and start, which he did against Howell South.

Matt Roe, Mike Willard and Mitch Mickley made up the platoon of hurlers (Nick Peras, who played a key role during the regular season, was unavailable for the playoffs). Weber watched their pitch counts closely, making sure they didn't exceed 20 pitches, so that they could come back the next day if needed. Mickey closed out both ballgames.

Rob Schmitt provided the power for an offense that scored 22 runs in the two games. He smacked two home runs in the championship game and had five RBIs. For the tournament, played in Wall Township, Schmitt homered three times and had nine total RBIs.

Roe, Raccuglia, Kevin Weber and Richie Wickberg also delivered with their bats as North Howell moved on to the Section III tournament this week in Old Bridge.

That foursome along with Schmitt all played on the 2006 championship team. Their leadership, according to manager Weber, was very important. They now have their names on two signs.

The players who won their first titles were: Willard, Mike Dailey, Nick Brandeisky, Mickley, Camerson Beatty and Dane Canonico (who was injured during the tournament).

North Howell carried a 15-0-1 record into the state sectional. Overall in the last two years, the team is 30-1-1 at the district level.

Mauro Raccuglia, the president of the North Howell Little League, was the club's coach.

During the regular season, the North Howell team consisted of Roe, Willard, Matt Smutko, Raccuglia, Matt Stakofsky, Peras, Jake Reutter, Dailey, Nick Brandeisky, Weber, Wickberg, Schmitt, Canonico, Mickley and Beatty. They were unbeaten during the regular season, winning the Howell Little League crown.