While most fifth graders spend their summers at camp or on the beach, Harpswell classmates Tommy Wrzesinski and Gabe Coulon III have been busy chasing ground balls and trophies.
The two 10-year-olds recently experienced the thrill of elite competition — and victory — as their team went undefeated in the Cal Ripken 10U state baseball tournament in Belgrade on July 12. The term “10U” stands for ages 10 and under.
Their team, the Mt. Ararat Eagles, was composed of the 12 best players in their age group from among the area’s recreation league teams. The Eagles went on to compete in the regional tournament in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, where they won one game and lost three.
“They were serious contenders in every game,” said Tommy’s mother, Colleen Wrzesinski. Ultimately, the regional trophy went to Connecticut’s Newtown Hawks.
The Cal Ripken division is part of the Babe Ruth League, a national nonprofit that runs youth baseball programs across the country. Cal Ripken teams include players ages 4-12, while older athletes move into the Babe Ruth divisions.
Maine’s 10U state championship falls under the Cal Ripken banner, which emphasizes skill development and tournament play at progressively higher levels — from local leagues to state, regional and eventually World Series competition.
“These two fine young men were a huge part of their team,” said Gabe Coulon Jr., Gabe III’s father and one of the team’s assistant coaches. His son was a starting pitcher, while Wrzesinski was the team’s starting first baseman.
The Eagles were led by head coach Jason Weymouth, with assistant coaches Coulon, Jesse Jean, and Rich Taylor. They went undefeated through the double-elimination state tournament, beating teams from Andy Valley, Farmington and Bath.
Their opening game was an emphatic 8-1 win over Andy Valley, setting the tone for a dominant run to the championship. The Eagles went on to beat rival Bath twice, including a hard-fought 9-8 win followed by a more decisive 9-3 victory in the rematch.
“I’ve enjoyed playing teams that are good and having a lot of competition,” said Gabe III, who also plays outfield and third base. “(Beating Bath) felt good, because Bath is a very exceptional team.”
His father noted that Bath Youth Baseball was the defending state champion, and that Mt. Ararat and Bath have a long-standing connection. Many members of the two teams have played together on travel baseball teams, Gabe Jr. said.
“We play with a lot of the Bath kids, so we know their families and the kids very well,” he said. “It’s a friendly, very cool rivalry.”
At first base, Tommy contributed to the final out of the last game to seal his team’s championship. He looked back on the experience as an enjoyable ride. “I just like playing and having a high (level of) competition,” he said.
Gabe Jr. said the entire Eagles 10U team has an exceptionally high “baseball IQ” for its age group.
“Their maturity out there — to not lose their cool when things don’t go their way — they were just like, ‘Next time, next opportunity, we’re ready for it.'”
