Staten Island sandlot softball notebook: Franchise wins Robert Kelly Fall League; 8 chosen for HOF in same loop

The team won the best-of-three championship series at PS 50 in Oakwood last Sunday, defeating Alexa Rose 12-2 and 12-4 to claim its fourth Robert Kelly Memorial Fall Hartop League title in the previous six years.

The franchise set the tone early on, giving pitcher Steve Stiller a comfortable cushion thanks to clutch hits from Rob Esposito, Christian Rupp, and Jared Delmar. In the championship series, Stiller was outstanding on the mound, recording two victories while giving up just five earned runs to a very strong opponent.

Esposito went 6 for 8 with three runs and three RBI, earning him the MVP award for the championship.

Regarding the 2024 league awards, Steve Murphy won the home run title, Chris Larkin won the Mydo Award for being the loop’s best pitcher, and Jeremy Claudio received the Tommy Bracco MVP Award.

The picture included six of the eight Robert Kelly Hardtop League entrants. Charlie Donohue, Joey D’Angelo, Pete Destefano, Nick Cianciarusso, Jon Manualien, and Anthony Noto are pictured from the left. (Image provided by Phil Bracco.)Bracco, Phil

The 2024 HOF inductees are announced by the Robert Kelly League.

Before the Loop’s championship series last week, the third class of honorees was inducted into the Robert Kelly Hall of Fame.

Leading figures in the loop at one point or another, including Charlie Donohue, Pete Destefano, Jon Boomer Manuelian, Vinny Mazza, Anthony Noto, Joey D Angelo, Joe Tronolone, and Nick Cianciarusso, were able to enter the loop.

Phil Bracco, president of the Robert Kelly League, remarked, “We had a good mix of Hall of Famers, guys who earned their stripes playing through the years.” They played a significant role in the league’s history from its founding in 1987.

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