Last Wednesday, the Division Avenue Varsity Baseball team opened up its league season with an 11-1 victory over Carey High School. Junior PJ Antoniato hurled a three-hitter, allowing no walks while striking out 10 batters.
Division was down 1-0 in the bottom of the first when Steve Juliano walked and stole second. Antoniato then hit a booming double to knock in Juliano. Eric Fierro immediately followed with a base hit to knock in Antoniato with what was to become the winning run of the game. Fierro wound up the game with three hits, an RBI, and two runs scored. Freshman Ray Montoro also had three hits with four RBIs. Sophomore Jeff Tamaraz added two hits with an RBI and two runs scored.
Ray Montoro and Steve Juliano both starred defensively for the Dragons.
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In the second game of last week's series, the Division Varsity Baseball team beat Carey 11-3. Colin Scmaeling was the winning pitcher in relief, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings.
Antoniato knocked in Division's first two runs, with a double in the first inning and a single in the second inning. After Antoniato's second RBI hit, Kevin Schneider hit a two-run double, only to be followed by an RBI double by John Ferretti.
The Dragons banged out 18 hits during the game, led by Dan Cronin's four hits. Tamaraz and Juliano both had three hits while Antoniato and Fierro both had two hits apiece.
The Dragons also shone defensively as they turned two double plays during the game. Greg Jenkins made a great play to complete the first double play.
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The Division Baseball team completed the Carey series sweep with a thrilling 5-4 victory. Phil Stumphf was the winning pitcher with a little relief help from Juliano who went on in the seventh inning to retire the sides 1,2,3, with two strikeouts. Stumphf and Juliano combined for a 5-hitter with 11 strikeouts.
Division scored all of its runs in the third inning on key RBI hits by Antoniato, Montoro, and Joe Cosenza.
Defense was the key for the Dragons as Kevin Schneider fired a bullet throw to Fierro to cut down the tying run at the plate and kill a bases-loaded Carey rally in the sixth inning. Cronin also made a diving stop earlier in the game and fired a strike to Fierro to cut down another potential run for the Seahawks.
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Next week the Dragons play the highly-regarded MacArthur Generals who are the pre-season favorite to win the league. Division is home on Monday and Wednesday and visit MacArthur on Tuesday.