After a second place finish and first round playoff defeat, in their inaugural season, the Tide set their sites on 2011.

The combination of returning veteran pitchers Kevin Herget (Kean), Felix Lopez (Monroe) and a veteran middle infield of Eddie Brown(Wagner) and Lucas Romeo(Adelphi), along with additions from traditional winning programs like 2011 Big East Champion Seton Hall, the Tide were poised for a run at the Kaiser division crown.

Adversity would come early when after only four games, Romeo, the slick fielding shortstop, would suffer a season ending injury and the Tide would struggle to replace the centerpiece of their infield. During that time, several players emerged and helped carry the Tide until the infield was stabilized. Zack Granite(Seton Hall), the fleet footed lead off batter was finding his groove, scoring runs and playing stellar defense. Chris Selden(Seton Hall), once settled as the everyday third baseman, would heat up and become a main cog in the Tide attack. Tony Negrin( LaSalle) and Cliff Brantley(Wagner) would split time in the outfield and make huge contributions both at the plate and in the field, while Taiki Kasuga(Amherst) anchored then infield at first base, with Brown providing his veteran presence at second. Eddie Jennings(Kean) the all star, DIII College World Series veteran, split time behind the plate with Dillon Hamlin, to all but nullify the running game.

At the center of the Tide attack was right fielder Jason Kanzler(Buffalo). In what became a nightly highlight reel, Kanzler displayed an array of power, speed and superlative defense, that left opponents frustrated and Major League scouts wanting much more from the leagues best player. "It was fun to watch Jason do things you just don't see at this level, he is the best player I have seen in the league in some time" said manager Tommy Weber. The pitching, behind Herget, Lopez, Sean Hille(Montclair), Zak Tax(Columbia), Sam Fourre(Kean), Anthony Pisano(Concordia) and others was also formidable enough to win but there was still the critical issue of finding a replacement for Romeo...... a solution was on its way.

 

Prior to a game against the Long Island Collegians, Tax, the Tides elite relief pitcher, lobbied to become the shortstop. "He came to me and said "skip, I can do this, I can help the team". "I thought it was the turning point of our season and one of the most selfless acts by a player I have ever seen, he didn't fill in, he excelled." From there the Tide would go on a roll and begin the push for the Kaiser division crown. Sean Hille was blossoming into the leagues top left handed starter, Selden would catch fire at the plate and along with Brantley and Kasuga, provide added punch to an already potent Tide attack. Not lost in the Tide success was the role the defense was playing. "With Negrin, Granite and Kanzler, the field gets very small, they all fly and we really have three center fielders" said coach Neil Barbella. Brown was flawless in the middle with Tax, Selden and Kasuga relieving the pressure from the pitching staff. With the Kaiser division clinched, the Tide would have to overcome more adversity, on their way to the ACBL crown.

 

On the final day of the season, Kanzler would suffer a dislocated thumb that would significantly reduce the role, if any, the leagues best player would have in the playoffs. "I thought the Atlantics were a dangerous team to face in the playoffs, they were improving everyday and I knew they would give us all we could handle, without a healthy Jason, that task just got much more difficult" said Weber. Those words would prove prophetic, as the best of three would feature two one run nail biters, only to have Tide prevail and move on to the championship game. Winner take all. One game for all the marbles. The game would find the Tide facing the best of the Hampton division West Hampton Aviators with their ace on full rest, the pitching advantage seemed to favor the team from out east. After some discussion and a successful campaign on his own behalf, Weber decided Kevin Herget would go on short rest. "Kevin and I talked and debated until late the night before the game, when I realized how lucky we were to have a pitcher who two months ago was throwing in the DIII World Series, making his case to start on two days rest.

 

I figured, if he gives us six and I can put the ball in Hilles' hand for three, I like our chances". Weber said. Sometimes things work out as planned, for that is exactly how the game would play out. In what was a clash of styles, the Aviator players and faithful came out fired up, in stark contrast to the patient, professional demeanor that defined the Kaiser division champs all season long. It was that patience that would payoff as the Tide would combine walks and timely hitting, in the seventh inning to extend their 2-1 lead to a commanding 7-1.

 

From that point, superior defense and pitching would find the Tide hoisting the championship trophy and putting the finishing touch on a great season.