BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The BK Americans succeeded in a decisive 14-4 victory over the BK Nationals in the annual Brooklyn Memorial Cup for Alzheimer’s on Saturday, marking their second consecutive win in the event.
The game, held at Kingsborough Community College, started off with a bang as Matthew Blittner hit a home run in the early innings, giving the Americans an early lead. By the fifth inning, the score was already 11-3, showcasing the Americans’ dominance.
Despite a strong start by the Nationals, with the game tied at 3-3 in the beginning innings, the Americans pulled away, demonstrating superior offensive and defensive play. “We need a lot of people to get on. We need people to take some pitches, you know, get on. And that’s really it, just keep it going,” said Joe Votto, who unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury during the game.
By the seventh inning, the score had escalated to 14-4, sealing the Nationals’ fate. The defensive player of the game was awarded to rookie Rob Del Muro of the Americans, while Brandon Dittmar clinched the MVP title. “It’s a big honor to be a part of this. It’s for a great cause, so it’s really fun to be a part of the team,” said Rebecca Baron, a rookie and first-time player for the Americans.
The Americans’ victory is particularly sweet after four years without a win, now securing back-to-back championships. “We need to keep the momentum. We need to keep the positivity and confidence. We need to keep playing how we’ve been playing, and just keep remembering that we’re playing for a good cause,” said Walt Bonné, reflecting on the team’s recent success.
The event also successfully raised over $13,000 for Alzheimer’s research, highlighting the community’s dedication to the cause.
James Alain is a contributing writer for The Beacon.
