T3 Warhawks capped successful five-year run with prestigious 12U title in Cooperstown

Every summer the top 12U baseball teams from the United States descend upon the Cooperstown All-Star Village to make friends, make memories and test themselves against the best teams in America. When the T3 Warhawks made their pilgrimage to Cooperstown, they didn't just come home with souvenirs, they also came home with a championship. The team coached by Avon resident Chuck Lombardy and featuring five Lorain County players won 11 games in a span of five days against a field of 82 teams from 18 states to win the title. "It was an amazing week," Lombardy said. "We had great moments of game-tying home runs, walk-offs, come-from-behind wins, it was just a fantastic experience." The Warhawks capped off the week by defeating the Jax Express from Jacksonville, Florida, 14-4, in the championship game. "I knew we were capable of winning but it took a lot of heart to get through it and come out on top," second baseman-outfielder Luke Garlitz said. "The teams at Cooperstown were better then in other tournaments. They were all 12-guys deep and they knew how to play ball." The T3 Warhawks have played together for five years, winning state titles at the 8U, 9U and 10U levels, while finishing second at the USSSA Ohio State Championships earlier this year. Cooperstown was the final week the team played together before moving on to different programs. "This is the biggest youth tournament there is in baseball. This is the Mecca of 12U. It doesn't get any bigger than this," Lombardy said. "It was extremely special. It was our last hurrah as a team. We've been together for five years and it was our last tournament as a team. To go out on top and win a national tournament like this was the icing on the cake for our five-year run." The coach's son, Charlie Lombardy, was one of 11 players to pitch for the T3 Warhawks during the week and also played shortstop. "When we got there I didn't think we'd win, but after the first game, I felt pretty good, and then we started doing pretty good," he said. "It was pretty difficult but we were just having fun and playing the sport that we love." The week was about more than winning games. Though the Warhawks had to win three games on the final day to claim the title, it was also about lasting memories. "It's one of the best weeks of your life," Charlie Lombardy said. "I will always remember the team we had and how much fun we had." Lombardy. Garlitz and Ari Anderson, all Avon residents, are 11 years old, so they will have the chance to play in Cooperstown against next summer. This year's team also included Avon resident Carter Workman and Amherst's Max Pearch on the 12-player roster. "It was a great experience and it was a memory we'll never be able to recreate, especially with the guys we've been doing this with for five years," Garlitz said. "It's a great opportunity to meet kids from different states. I liked talking to them and seeing how their lifestyle is different than our lifestyle in Ohio." For Coach Lombardy, the team and their families, five years of hard work, struggles and perseverance all came together after the final out. "Once the final out was recorded you could see the emotion pouring out of these kids," he said. "Not only was it the biggest tournament win in their life, it was also the ending of a great five-year run. The parents were crying, the grandparents were crying, the kids were crying, there were hugs and teams and smiles, all of the emotions pouring out at once." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.