On Monday, the Blue Dragons beat Plainedge in a thrilling 5-3 game. Division scored first in the second inning, scoring twice. Both Mike Kraly and Chris Lombardo had runs batted in that inning. In the third inning, Scott Porter singled home Brian Chenicek for the Dragons' third run.
The Dragons found themselves tied 3-3 in the top of the seventh when Mike Kraly singled, only to be followed by a single by Chris Lombardo, to make it first and third with no outs. Brian Chenicek then hit a sacrifice fly to score Kraly and then Scott Porter followed with a triple to score Lombardo to ensure the Division victory. Darcy closed down Plainedge in the seventh. Defensively, Mike Kraly and Scott Porter starred for Division combining for four spectacular plays.
On Tuesday, the Dragons hosted Plainedge and defeated them 10-1. Scott Porter was the winning pitcher allowing only three hits while striking out 10 batters in six innings. Joe Seide added an inning of scoreless relief.
Ray Montoro knocked in a run for Division in the first, but it was Brian Chenicek who broke the game open with a bases loaded triple, knocking in three runs. Chris Lombardo also had two RBIs while Chris Carbone chipped in with a sac fly RBI. Once again Mike Kraly starred defensively for the Dragons.
On Thursday, the Dragons completed the sweep of Plainedge, but it was not an easy task. The Dragons found themselves losing 5-4 going into the seventh inning, when Scott Porter led the inning off with a booming double. Scott was stranded at second with two out when he moved to third base on a wild pitch. At this time, Dan Cooley rifled a hard grounder off the second baseman's chest, and just barely beat out the throw, allowing Scott to score. This brought the Plainedge Red Devils up in the bottom of the seventh. Joe Seide was in relief of Kevin Gerard, who had pitched five strong innings of two hit balls before tiring and giving way to Joe, who got Plainedge out 1, 2, 3.
In the top of the eighth, Mike Kraly walked and was sacrifice bunted over to second by Brian Frers. At this time, junior leftfielder Chris Lombardo hit a double off the left field fence to knock Mike in. Brian Chenicek then lined another double to knock Chris in.
With the Dragons leading 7-5 into the bottom of the eighth, Jesse Darcy came in to close the game down and earn the victory. Along with Lombardo's strong offensive effort, he also starred defensively for Division, making several sparkling plays.
In a test of stamina, the Dragons had to play their fourth game of the week against Garden City. Earlier in the year, Division beat then in a 2-1 nine-inning thriller, but this time Garden City came out on top winning 3-2. Junior Zach Flinn got the call in his first varsity start and responded well. Zach pitched five strong innings allowing only one earned run. Brian Chenicek pitched a perfect inning of relief, for the second time that week.
Although Division only scored two runs, they did bang out seven hits out-hitting Garden City. Ray Montoro led the attack with three hard hit doubles. Other big hits were supplied by Mike Kraly and Chris Lombardo, who both had RBI hits. Junior Dan DeVivo also supplied a key pinch hit in the sixth inning when there were stranded runners at second and third.
Next week, the Dragons play against Wantagh in what could prove to be a series for the league championship. Division will be home against Wantagh on Monday and Wednesday at 4:15. The Dragons will visit Wantagh on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.