BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Clarke and Cahill on the hill.That has been the mantra for the Tinton Falls Little League’s 11-year-old all-stars.

As a group, the all-stars have won three consecutive District 19 pennants — first as 9-year-olds, last year at 10, and this summer as 11-year-olds.

Through the reign, Tinton Falls has relied on the one-two punch of pitchers Sean Clarke and Luke Cahill. This summer, they went 8-1 overall with Clarke going 5-0 and beating Marlboro South, 1-0, in the District championship game.

“Pitching is our strength,” said manager Paul Clarke. “Sean and Luke have done most of the work.

“Luke is a fastball pitcher, while Sean mixes his fastball with a good curve ball,” he added.

Sean Clarke was magnificent in the District 19 final. Tinton Falls had handled Marlboro South, 10-3, earlier in the tournament. But the feisty Marlboro squad was a different team in the championship game, played in Tinton Falls. Clarke was the difference as he struck out 11 en route to his shutout and delivered the game-winning RBI on a single in the third inning.

After winning the District flag, Tinton Falls had its best showing yet at the Section III tournament, finishing second. They were third the year before.

“Our goal was to get one level better than we did previously,” said manager Clarke.

Tinton Falls managed to achieve that goal.

While Clarke and Cahill have been dominant on the mound since Tinton Falls started its run of District titles, the team has gotten better each year offensively. That can’t come as good news to teams trying to catch up to them.

“Our hitting has gotten much better,” said manager Clarke.

Proof was in the power display at the District, where the team smacked four home runs. Cahill, Trevor Brain and Brandon Pollina delivered the boundary blasts. During the course of tournament play, Cahill and Brain each belted three home runs.

On top of the newly discovered power, Tinton Falls produced runs with its speed.

“We did a lot of running,” said Cahill. “We tried to steal and bunt. We were aggressive.

Dean Field, the team’s lead-off hitter, and No. 9 batter Joe DiGiovanni were the speed merchants who set the table.

Defensively, Tinton Falls was very efficient. They made the plays behind their aces, which helped them avoid big innings. Pollina, in center field, patrolled the outfield. The infield was led by Brain at third base, the shortstop combination of Cahill and Clarke, and catcher Joe DiGiovanni.

The 2005 District 19 11-year-old champions from Tinton Falls are: Michael Berner, Tanner Brain, Trevor Brain, Luke Cahill, Sean Clarke, Joe DiGiovanni, Dean Field, Clay Kissane, Matt Obrero, Eric Paslowski, Brandon Pollina and David Zilly.

The coaches on manager Paul Clarke’s staff are Mike Zilly, Jim DiGiovanni, Gary Obrero and Sean Doherty.