Congratulations District 28 Champions! Merillon went undefeated in District 28. All the kids made outstanding contributions, too numerous to mention. The players are, in alphabetical order: Adel Bari, Jonathan Cioffi, Evan Clark, Ross Crames, Frankie DiSanto, Kyle Facibene, Brandon Martinez, Joseph Pagan, Vinnie Patrey, Brandon Silva, Liam Slattery, Matthew Theodoropoulos, and John Young.In the first inning Liam Slattery (1 for 2) & Frankie DiSanto (3 for 3, walk) scored on a Kyle Facibene double (2 for 3). In the second inning the boys threatened but did not score when Evan Clark (1 for 2, walk), Matt Theodoropoulos and Joe Pagan (1 for 1) reached base safely. Merillon scored 2 more runs in the third when Ross Crames crushed a single to right center and took second when Port Washington tried to make a play at home. Defense played a pivotal role in this Championship game. Port Washington had a man on third when the play of the tournament was turned in by shortstop Frankie DiSanto. A hard grounder that appeared to be headed to center field was fielded by a sliding DiSanto, who then got to his feet and fired to first to record the out. The umpire remarked that, that was one of the best plays he ever saw at this level. In the 4th inning with Port Washington threatening again, Jonathan Cioffi (1 for 1, walk) caught a long fly ball hit to left field. Although, they scored a run that inning, a number of spectators noted that Cioffi's catch seem to deflate them. Vinnie Patry provided his usual spectacular relief pitching (3 up 3 down) and Adel Bari played a sound second base. In the 5th inning, Ross Crames, who pitched an outstanding game (4 K's), singled as did Evan Clark (1 for 2, walk). The runners advanced on a Brandon Martinez sacrifice to second base. That set the table for Cioffi who singled in both runs and advanced to second on a play to the plate. At that point the score was 9-1. Frankie DiSanto singled in another run and the stage was set for the final play of the game. John Young (2 for 3, walk), fought off several pitches and then hit a mammoth HR that cleared the right field fence. The HR ball traveled down East Williston's pool's slide located behind the fence. That made the final score 12-1 and the Merillon boys District Champions! Boys Lower Farms The Nationals played their 2nd game today. Although they were on the short end of a 13-8 score, the boys are coming along nicely. Nicholas Barry, Daniel Bateman, Matthew O'Neil & Jordan Chin each had 2 hits. Christian Riccobono scored 2 runs and Luke Tesoriero had 2 RBI's, one on a ball pulled down the 3rd base line. Jack Lynch & Thomas Mangin showed some power ripping balls into centerfield. Some nice defensive work was done behind the plate by Joseph Griffin & John Tagios made a nice tag play on a runner going to 3rd. The Dodgers played an exciting game against a very good Nationals team. Alex Russo, Sean McClellan & Luke Pullo made excellent defensive plays for the Dodgers. Peter Vayias & Matthew Rivera did great behind the plate in their catching debuts. Collin Cheung & Van Dyke Manners ran the bases well each scoring 2 runs for the Dodgers. Christian Ugolini, Daniel Goldberg, Sean O'Leary, Patrick McTiernan & Dean Vayias contributed with timely hitting to move the runners. The Rockies pitched well against a hard hitting Cardinal team. The stellar pitching came from Michael Lynch, Vincent Rossello and Michael Zuschlag (his pitching debut). The Rockies hit good as well, with Gregory Donovan's 2for2 & 3 SB, Christian Carrick & Andrew Filacoma's 2 RBIs apiece. Anthony Lanzilotta had 1 hit & Jacob Leeds, James Castaldi and Matthew Fitzgerald each had a walk. The Rockies had pitching duel with A's on Thursday. The strong Rockies pitching came from Gregory Donovan (1 inning 0 runs), Andrew Filacoma's (1 inning 0 runs), Yanni Rigos (1 inning 1 run) & Gregory Andreopoulos (1 inning 2 runs). The Rockies also got some timely hits, led by Christian Carrick (1 hit & 1 RBI) and Michael Lynch (1 hit). Great base running was evidenced by Vincent Rossello's 4 SBs. James Castaldi & Matthew Fitzgerald each had a walk, while Jacob Leeds and Michael Zuschlag gave great efforts at the plate against tough pitching. A super effort was given by all the Ducks players in a convincing 10-2 victory over a scrappy Garden City squad. The Ducks pounded 10 hits along with 8 walks, stole 15 bases (2 steals of home), while the pitchers combined to strike out 14 hitters. The Ducks offense was led by Chris Ferlazzo (single, double, 2 rbi, 2 runs, 4 SB), Michael Ring (walk, run, rbi, 2 SB), Vinny LaBruna (HR, double, 2 rbi, run, SB), Michael Glaser (single, 2 walks, 4 SB), Peter LoDuca (3 walks, SB), Alex Montalvo (single, walk, 2 runs, SB), Chris Sacino (walk, HBP, run, SB), Domenico Fazzolari (single, walk, run, rbi, SB), Andy Ferrante (2 singles, 2 rbi, run, SB), Belvin Kuriakose (single, walk, rbi, run). Peter Ferrante, Evan Rabinowitz & Domenick Fazzolari all took some good swings while hitting the ball hard today. The Devil Rays came ready to play; Mark Thomas led off going 2 for 3 including a great bunt down the 3rd base line and scored twice with a walk. Chris Rivera went 1 for 2, with 2 walks, scored twice and pitched 3 good innings. Ryan Gaitan exploded going 3 for 4 with 3 doubles putting up 5 RBIs. Matthew Hirshon went 2 for 4 and contributed 2 clutch RBIs. Liam Quinn went 1 for 4, scored once, put up a RBI and pitched 2 good innings. Tom Kely went 2 for 3 with a RBI, scored a run and shut down the opponent in the bottom of the 6th. Steve Telsey hit well going 2 for 3. Joe DiMonte went 2 for 2 and a walk and was solid behind the plate for 6 innings. Kurt Skudrna had 3 good at bats and almost made a spectacular play in right. The Ducks pounded out 20 hits today, while the defense was sharp as ever. The Ducks thwarted a 2nd inning E Williston rally with a nifty inning-ending double play. The pitchers also picked off 2 runners to stop any offensive threats. With the game tied at 2 in the 3rd, the Ducks' explosive offense took over, scoring 7 runs and an amazing 11 runs in the 4th put the game away. Everyone contributed with the bats today: Chris Ferlazzo smacked 2 hits, scored twice, with a nice steal of home. Belvin Kuriakose scored 2 times, singled, stole 4 bases. Peter LoDuca rapped 2 long hits, scored 3 times. Mike Glaser slugged 4 hits, nearly putting one over the fence, drove in 3 runs. Paul Reo scored twice, stole 2 bases. Chris Sacino singled, drove in 3 runs. Domenick Fazzolari smacked 3 hits, drove in a run. Evan Rabinowitz moved a runner over & Andy Ferrante singled, scored twice. Domenico Fazzolari drove in 3 runs with a triple & 2 singles, Michael Ring singled, scored a run. Peter Ferrante stroked 2 singles stole a base and scored a run. And Alex Montalvo ripped 2 singles and scored. The Devil Rays were led to victory by Liam Quinn who had a great night. He was 4 for 4, just shy of the cycle missing the HR. He had 4 RBIs, scored twice, and he also only gave up only 2 runs in 3 innings pitched keeping the Devil Rays in the game. Matt Hirschon was 2 for 2 scoring a run. Matt pitched 2 shutout innings in relief to seal the win. Kurt Skudrna had good at bats making contact with the ball. Joe Dimonte went 1 for 2 with a walk and scored a run. Steven Telsey walked and scored a run and made 2 defensive gems at 3rd. Tom Kelly 1 for 3 scored a run and added a RBI. Ryan Gaitan walked, scored a run and stole 2 outs with his great stretch ability at 1st. Mark Thomas went 1 for 3 with a walk and contributed key inning ending outs at 2nd. Chris Rivera went 2 for 4 scored twice and added a RBI and provided put outs in center.