The St. Kilian CYO Yankees Baseball Organization won three of four games during an exciting weekend of playing America's Game. This unique group of thirteen-year-olds soon to be ninth-graders played double headers both Saturday and Sunday evenings in the Babe Ruth League.

The player's first twin bill opponent would be another Farmingdale team, also called the Yankees. Game one was a hard-fought 5-4 victory where friends faced off versus friends and school mates played against school mates.

Sal Castagnaro took the mound for the St. Killian Yankees Team. He battled a tough Fdale team giving way to winning pitcher Michael Pavese with two down in the fifth inning. The Fdale team plated one in the first and one in the second to jump out to a 2-0 lead. The Yankees, while leaving men on in the first two innings, finally broke through with three runs in the bottom of the third inning on a couple of walks, stolen bases, an error and an RBI single by Joe Didonna. The Yankees took a 4-2 lead in the fourth when Chris Pavese tripled home Danny Monico. Fdale tied the score 4-4 in the fifth frame. During the top of the sixth Fdale put two on but The Yankees "D" rose to the occasion. Glenn Cinelli made two fine plays at third and shortstop Tommy Maier grabbed a grounder in the "hole" tossing to Cinelli at third for the force out. The score remained tied at four going to the bottom of the sixth. John Speelman led off with a walk; speedy Vincent Andriotti pitch ran and promptly stole second and third. Maier walked and after an out, Derek Venezia knocked home the game winner with a grounder to short. Joe Didonna closed out the game with a pair of "K's" and an easy pop out. St. Killian Yankees won 5-4.

Game two saw the Yankees score three in the top of the first. Chris Pavese singled, Cinelli and Speelman walked. A passed ball on a third strike plated one and Kenny Rogers' hard hit ball through the third baseman plated a pair. Farmingdale scored their only run off game two starter Joe Didonna in the bottom of the first, so after one inning of play it was 3-1 Yankees. In the third the Yankees bats began to heat up. Carmine Deimeri walked and stole second, Cinelli knocked him home. Didonna drove in Cinelli and Speelman banged out a single. Maier hit a sac fly and the Yankees led 6-1 after three. Vincent Andriotti walked and scored on a Chris Pavese hit in the fourth. The Yankees tacked on three more in the fifth making it 10-1. Farmingdale closed the gap to 10-5 in the bottom half of the inning. The flood gates opened wide when the Yankees scored five in the sixth putting the game away. Deimeri tripled in a pair, Cinelli knocked a single and stole home. Monico ended the game driving in run number 15. St. Killian Yankees won 15-5.

Sunday was another beautiful day for baseball. The double dip would have the Yankees facing the first place East Meadow Mustangs. Danny Monico started on the hill, Glenn Cinelli handled the middle relief and picked up the win. Sal Castagnaro came to the rescue during the seventh and closed the door recording the save. The Yankees scored early, singles by Chris Pavese and Deimeri set up Kenny Rogers who laced a double. The Mustangs scored a run in the bottom half, so after one inning of play it was Yanks 2 - 'Stangs 1. Like game one on Saturday, a pitchers duel would ensue. Derek Venezia's two out single and steal of second set up Danny Monico who drove home Venezia giving the Yankees a 3-1 advantage. The Mustangs cut the lead to 3-2 in the third and tied the game at three in the fourth. Cinelli tossed a scoreless fifth and sixth. A lead off walk and a run scoring double by Chris Pavese gave the Yankees a 5-4 lead going to the bottom of the seventh. After a walk, Sal Castagnaro took the hill for the Yankees. Catcher John Speelman threw out the Mustangs' would-be base stealer for the first out. Castagnaro "K'd" the next hitter and Deimeiri threw out the last batter at first from center field ending the game. St. Kilian Yankees won 5-4.

The nightcap turned out to be a "barn burner". The Mustang squad jumped out to a big lead off Yankee starter Derek Venezia. The Yankees trailed 7-1 and 12-6. This group of Yankees team mates would not give up on each other, they battled back with good pitching, team work on defense and big hits. Down 6-0 they scored one in the second. Down 7-1 Joe Didonna led off the fourth with a long home run to right center. Speelman doubled, Michael Pavese and Monico walked to load the bases. Venezia's well placed grounder and Pavese's base running cut the lead to 7-4, more good base running made it 7-5 after four. The Mustangs continued to hit Yankee pitching taking a 12-6 lead into the bottom of the seventh. The Yankees kept on swinging, Andriotti singled , Castagnaro got on , Chris Pavase singled , Didonna got his third hit of the game, Speelman singled bringing up Michael Pavese who cleared the bases with a two out triple making it a one run game at 12-11. After a walk the Yankees weekend ended with a hard line drive right at the Mustangs center fielder who nabbed the ball in the webbing of his glove. Mustangs 12 - Yankees 11.

The season is far from over, the St. Kilian Boys of Summer will continue to make great friends and teammates, will battle once again for first place in their league and have fun playing the great game of baseball.