The Garden City Bombers have completed a highly successful fall baseball season. The high school age team, which has played together since the fall of 1999, had endured one tough season after another, as the team was competing with the best travel teams from around Long Island.

The Bombers have nonetheless persisted, closing a spectacular turnaround in which they became the team to beat, losing only their opening game, and remaining unbeaten since then. The climax came Oct. 31 when the Bombers crushed the Long Island Lightning 14-5. Andrew Rocco won his second straight decision, having pitched a complete nine-inning victory the week before and five strong innings in the season finale.

It had been especially difficult since nearly all the competing teams recruit from all around the region giving them a much larger pool of players. Third baseman Joe Mohen, Andrew Rocco, centerfielder Tom Lapinski and catcher Kevin O'Hanlon have all been with the Bombers from the team's inception. They have evolved into a power hitting core of the batting order, once easily run over by other teams around Long Island, and since the season opener no pitching staff in the NCYAA has been able to contain them.

Furthermore, all five are left-handed hitters, and since most opposing pitchers are right handed, they made mince meat of the NCYAA's right-handed pitchers all season. "You have to give these boys credit hanging on through the years like this," Assistant Coach Kevin Buhse. "The other travel teams used to destroy us, and it was hard on the boys. Yet the core of the team never quit, and now they are the ones who dominate. These boys earned every singe victory they got."

Yet another southpaw, Jonathan DiMartino, was the team's lefty jack of all trades, pitching, playing first base and right field. Another element of the Bombers' success is the contribution of shortstop Delby Venas, with great range, a shotgun arm, great speed and one of the league's most aggressive players. Leftfielder Chris Buhse has also matured into a reliable starting outfielder and provided right-handed balance to the batting order

Some of the Bombers' success has been because of the consistency of second baseman Nate Furey. "Nate has been one of the most improved players in town, season over season," Assistant Coach Joe Mohen said. "He shows poise and self-confidence at second base, he hustles all the time, has good at bats and just goes out and does whatever you ask him to do, never a complaint, only wanting to help the team." Infielder Ryan Jenal filled in at second and short to balance out the team, himself having a good season at the plate.

The Bombers will now workout through the winter period, and plan for their annual February trip to Orlando for the winter break, at the Doyle Brothers Baseball School in Florida. Current high school juniors or seniors who believe they can play "high school varsity" caliber baseball may contact the coaches to arrange a tryout. Please contact Assistant Coach Kevin Buhse at 877-2919 or e-mail GCBombers@aol.com.