On Wednesday, April 25, Tsontos Furs arrested Total Security Systems 7 - 4. The Furbies started the scoring when Michael Vasconcelos blooped a single and then got past the Security System, stealing everything in sight, including home plate. Tsontos Furs trapped a pair of runs in the next inning when Kevin Brostek doubled home Brian Greene and came around to score on Dennis Clark's sacrifice. The Mink-Men netted a run in the third when Alex Eisen singled and Michael Vasconcelos followed with a double and added two more in that inning when Vasconcelos and Peter Clark both stole home. Total Security trimmed the Furs' lead when Frankie Lao banged home Paul Tapias, but T. J. Gessner's brilliant catch in left field with the bases loaded short-circuited Security's threat. In the Fur's fourth, Chris Brostek drew a walked, nipped a pair of bases, and came home easily on another double of the bat of Michael Vasconcelos. TSS's tosser, Jonathan Hock, kept the Furs under wrap for the rest of the game, notching fivw strikeouts along the way. In the last inning, Total Security alarmed the Furriers by plating three runs on hits by Peter Dwyer, Kurt Hetzer, and Drew Barnett, and a sacrifice by Matt Siwinski, but the Fur's hides were saved by a great catch by Chris Brostek and a timely strikeout to end the game. Other highlights from the game included Paul Tapias's and Shawn Wachter's great catches in the outfield, Paul Easton's "snow-cone" at shortstop, Michael Brady's perfect inning of relief, Carl Nunziata's solid defense at third base, and Andrew Shear's stellar performance behind the plate.

The two early season first place teams, John Sullivan's Install-A-Lock (1-0) and Al Ruggiero's K's Auto Repair (2-0), engaged in a suspenseful game at Willis Stadium with Install-A-Lock snatching a 6-5 victory in the bottom of the last inning. This game set up a Braves-Mets flavor as these talented squads meet twice more in the regular season.

The two teams locked up in a pitching duel through the first two innings fueled by Rob Sallie's four strikeouts and Mike Diglio's five during their permitted two innings of work. In the third frame, sidearmer John Sullivan of the Lockups added three more strikeouts before the K crew displayed fine defense. First baseman Diglio made an unassisted double play to end the inning, snagging a Bobby Port line drive, catching Joey Calabro barely a step off the bag.

The Autos used the momentum to their advantage. T.J. Winters (single) and Vin Ruggiero set the table for cleanup hitter Diglio, who singled through the middle for 2 RBIs. Rob Raveli chopped a fielder's choice after Diglio stole third and K's had a 3-0 lead.

Install-A-Lock opened up in the next inning with back to back singles by Mike Cardillo and Matt Manteria. Andrew Ines' was then hit by a pitched ball, loading the bases.

Calabro's run scoring single made amends for his base running slip and a hit batsman forced in another run to make the score 3-2.

However, Castellana then came up huge in the top of K's Auto's last at-bat. After Winters and Ruggiero singled side by side for the second time in the game, Mike drilled a perfect two out triple down the right field line for a 5-2 gap.

The Installers never dropped their guard, though. Walks to Clark and Cardillo sandwiched around an Anthony Conway single loaded the bases with none out. The roof then fell in on K's Auto. Successive bases on balls to Manteria and McKeown resulted in a one run game. Pitching coach Tom Winters went to first time reliever Nicky Franzini for help. Ines drew his second hit-by-pitch to plate the tying run. Franzini toughed it out to a full count on Joey Calabro, who would walk, driving in the go ahead run for Install-A-Lock.

For other MAA baseball information like scores and schedules, go to myteam.com/go/MineolAAA for the official league website.

On a cool April evening, with the temperature dropping into the 40's at game time, The Knight's of Columbus started out red hot against the Mineola Chamber of Commerce. The visiting Knights scored 3 runs in the top half of the first. Knight's Matt Dadich reached on an error but was quickly erased at second as Jameson Canning hit into a fielders choice. On the proceeding play, Canning was moving on the hit and run and Chris Orlando slapped a single through the middle and it was quickly first and third with one out. Mineola Chambers committed back to back errors allowing Knights number 4 and 5 hitters, Mark Dadich and Michael Marques, to reach safely as both Canning and Orlando opened scoring making it 2 - 0. Matt Vuolo followed with a single up the middle and the Knights had a 3 - 0 lead.

After the Chamber of Commerce went down quietly in their half of the first the Knights struck again. Matt Dadich (also the Knights starting pitcher) lead off with a single to right and Jameson Canning followed by crushing a double to the fence in left, Dadich scored on the play making it 4 - 0. After a moving to third on a fielders choice, Canning would score as Mark Dadich slapped a RBI single up the middle making it 5 - 0.

That looked like that would be all the Knights needed to win as the Mineola Chamber went down quietly in the second and third innings. It was the fourth inning before the Chambers team would start to warm up. Mick Oswald led off the fourth with a walk and Matt Fiaz followed with a single to right. Both runners would move up and eventually score on passed balls for the first two Chamber runs. With the score 5 to 2 and still in the fourth, Greg Klein walked and Alex Lopes was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second and no outs. David Esselborn stepped to the plate and worked the count to 2 balls and 1 strike before launching a monster shot into the right field corner for a triple. David came home on an over throw to third and tied the score at 5.

With the score tied 5 - 5, both teams knuckled down and the pitchers became very stingy. Knights pitcher Chris Orlando allowed only one runner over the 4th and 5th innings as Chambers pitcher Mick Oswald countered by allowing only two runners in the same period.

At the end of regulation play, the score stood at 5 and the game was headed to extra innings. At the top of the 7th, it looked as if the Knights would grab the lead. With one out, Matt Dadich took first on a walk. Jameson Canning came to the plate and lashed a single to right. With Dadich running all the way, it took a perfect relay from Chambers right fielder Nick Augustin to second basemen Mike Grieco to catcher Robert Maloney to nail the speedy Dadich at the plate and the Knights would not score in their half of the inning.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Knights would hold on a little longer with another play at the plate. With none out, Chambers Nick Augustin who walked rounded third after Mike Granath singled to left and headed home, Nick was called out on a close call after a strong relay and tag from Jameson Canning. The next batter for Chambers, Robert Maloney, singled sending Granath to third setting up the winning run. With Mike Grieco at the plate, Granath broke for home on a wild pitch and score just under to tag to win the game.

On Saturday, April 28, the Mavericks played Valley Stream and jumped out early to a four run lead. The offense was sparked by Bob McPartlan, Brian Abrams and Luke Amerati. Steve DeKanchuk, Craig Strein and Nelson Lopes did their best on the mound but Mineola dropped the game 13-7.

The next game Mineola battled hard and came up with an 8-7 win. Brian Abrams closed out the game. The next home game is May 19 at 10 a.m. at Wilson Field.

April 28

Harry Katz 7 -

Mineola Chamber 5

In a well played game, Harry Katz came out on top 7 to 5 over Mineola Chamber.

Mineola Chamber scored two runs in the first to take a two nothing lead. Katz came back with one run in the second inning. Ryan Pratt had a lead off double and scored on a ground out by Gabrial Couto to cut the lead in half.

Chamber came back with a run in the bottom of the second on a walk to David Esselborn and a double by Gregory Klein.

Top of the third saw Chamber getting the first two outs, but Chris Lorusso walked and then three straight singles by Daniel Fitzgerald, Anthony Morias and Joe Spollen making the score 3 to 2 Katz.

Chamber came right back to tie it at 3 in their 1/2 of the third inning.

Leading off the fourth for Katz was Fred Usma. Freddie doubled, followed by Couto who doubled to score Freddie. Terry Mooney came up and had a good at bat. Terri fouled off a few pitches and then came through with an RBI single, making the score Katz 5, Chamber 4. Katz scored two more runs in the fifth and Chamber scored one more for a final of Katz 7, Chamber 5.

Pitching a strong game for Katz was Anthony Morias who totaled 11 Ks and went 2-3 with a run scored and one RBI. Katz's infield of Daniel Fitzgerald at first, John Englis at second and Terry Mooney at short made good fielding plays to keep Chamber from scoring any more runs.

April 28

American Legion played Mineola Foot Care. Both teams hit the ball well. Billy Sullivan, for Legion, had two hits. One was a line drive that went to left field. When Billy comes up, the defense has to be ready and move out. Nicky Fabiano made three good plays at first for Legion.

Leading the way for Mineola Foot Care was Jason Witt who had two hits. One made it to left field. Robby Clarkin had three hits. Kevin Hardiman and Timmy Bracco had two hits a piece. Tyler Kapela made a nice catch at shortstop, and Matthew Stephen made a good play at pitcher. Mineola Foot Care would like to wish Zachary Englis and Robby Clarkin a happy birthday.

April 30

Mineola Foot Care's Michel Cerquiera hit a long drive to left field that almost rolled to the batting cage at the pool field. Michael circled the bases for his first Little League homer.

Timmy Bracco, Kevin Hardiman and Stevie Magavero had two nice hits a piece. Nico Pantelides and Robby Clarkin both ran the bases well scoring two runs.

Kevin Hardiman and Zachary Englis made three nice fielding plays and throws to first baseman Tyler Kapela.