As Cranford is from New Jersey, the baseball and softball association's 9 and under team are Pennsylvania champs in the tournament.
The Nor-Gwyn 9-and-under Gritty Hawks made it through the 2024 Cal Ripken Baseball Middle Atlantic Region Tournament last week in three of four successful bouts.
Justine Krasnisky Clark The only team to hand them a loss in their tournament run was Cranford. The Gritty Hawks were determined during their championship game Friday night to triumph over the team that bested them in their quest, again.
Alas, the Hawks were defeated 13-10 by Cranford 9U Blue. From the sixth inning on, both sides held off any more runs from hitting the scoreboard.
Cranford overcame a 6-0 first inning deficit to become back-to-back champions. By the third inning, the game was tied 9-9.
Cranford Baseball Association The win means Nor-Gwyn Gritty Hawks 9U are Pennsylvania State Champions, and will head to the Ripken World Series in Florence, Alabama to represent the state and the community.
Cranford went 6-0 in the week long Region tournament, 5-0 in States and 6-0 in Districts giving up only 39 combined runs in 17 games, according to its website.
During the championship bout Friday night, Hawks' Landon McNally hit a 2-RBI double in the first inning, and Dmitry Huff hit another RBI double in the second inning.
Nor-Gwyn Baseball & Softball Association/Facebook 
Nor-Gwyn Baseball & Softball Association/Facebook Gritty Hawks team members include McNally, Huff, Sam Sherman, Marco Kemper, George Dziedzic, Carter Cho, Jonah Van Oyen, Mason Atkiss, Anthony Clark, Karter Stokes, Jacob Akerman, and Daulton Thomas.
Team parents said a major part of Nor-Gwyn's success is the coaching staff -- calm, respectful and encouraging coaches, who are parents themselves.
They may be the Hawks - but to the community, they are underdogs.
Watch the entire championship game here, but requires a subscription/login.
Justine Krasnisky Clark On Monday, the association opens its 13U Fall Travel Baseball tryouts at 6:15 p.m. at Hostelley Field. Register at www.norgwynbaseball.org and click on "13U Fall Travel Baseball." The 13U Hawks will be coached by Kevin Bonner.
Finally, Fall Ball registration remains open until Aug. 15 for youth baseball and softball players. The season runs September to October. Pricing is $40 for baseball ages seven and eight, $80 for baseball ages nine and 10 and 11 and 12, $100 for Connie Mack, $50 for softball ages seven and eight, and $65 for softball ages nine and 10, and 11 and 12. Register at norgwynbaseball.org.
