Sunday, May 19, was the season opener for the Mineola Mavericks 14-year-old Pony Division. The game was at East Meadow vs. the East Meadow Dodgers. Things looked bad at first when the Dodgers started off the top of the first inning scoring four runs. The Mavericks got themselves together and at the bottom of the fourth Mineola scored three runs. A base hit by Steve Dekanchuk brought home John Revegno and Joe Werther. Both had been walked by the pitcher. Things looked bad at the top of the fifth, but great fielding produced a double play leaving the bases no longer loaded and a fly caught by Steve Dekanchuk ended the inning. At the bottom of the fifth, Anthony Orsano had a base hit, which he turned into a run by stealing home tying up the score. Then at the top of the seventh the Dodgers scored, but in the bottom, Max Bankin took a hit in the head from the pitcher that walked him. He stole second base and base hits from John Ravegno and Tiago Rodriguez brought him home to the game up and we went into overtime. Unfortunately, the Dodgers scored three runs at the top of the eighth and Mineola could only bring in one, so the final score was 8-6. Coach Strein pointed out that, but for two innings our boys showed great team effort and the quality of play was showing marked improvement over last year. The league we're playing in has some different rules that we need to adjust to. So we're looking forward to a great season for our Mavericks. Windsor Fuel Oil has been our sponsor and we want to make them proud.

Mineola Auxiliary Police vs.

Little Doc's

Mineola Auxiliary Police's infield of Luke Escobar at first, Zachary Englis at second, Stevie Mogavero at S.S., Kevin Hariman at third and Robby Clarkin at the pitcher's area, all made good fielding plays. Zachary and Stevie made two good throws to first basemen Luke Escobar. Luke was two for three at the plate.

Joshue Lopes, Gina Valente, Patrick Murry, Timmy Bracco, Mike Fernandes, Robby Clarkin all hit the ball well. Matt Stephens continues to improve behind the plate.

Congratulations to Zachary Englis, Gina Valente, and Matt Stephen for making their communion.

Mineola Chamber 11

Country Seat Kiwanis 5

Terry Mooney and Daniel Vojivodic go seven for seven to power Mineola Chamber to a win.

John Sullivan opened the game with a single. Daniel Fitzgerald was hit by a pitch (he's OK), Terry Mooney followed with a single. Daniel V. then cleared the bases with a double and stole home for a four run first.

With the score 4 to 2 going into the third, Chamber scored two more on a walk to Daniel Fitzgerald, a single by Terry Mooney, a single by Daniel V., a walk to John Englis, but could have had more but catcher Zach Chichi of Kiwanis made two great plays at home to get two would-be stealers for Chambers.

Kiwanis came back with two in the fourth on a deep double to left center by Joe Spollen.

With the score 7 to 4 Chamber going into the sixth. Chambers scored four more on a single by Carmine Sarno, a walk to James Kelly and an RBI single by Robby DiBella. Daniel Fitz walked and Terry followed with his fourth hit of the game scoring two more runs. Fielding star of the game belonged to Freddie Usma who made three great catches in center field.

Mineola Florist vs. Nassau Chromium

The scoring started early for Mineola Florist in their game against Nassau Chromium Wednesday night, May 22. In the first inning, a scorching ground ball single by Tom McKeever drove in Andrew Koletski, waiting patiently at third after stealing two bases. Later in the same frame, a wallop by Michael Castellano drove in two more runs with his first triple of the season. Tom McKeever, pitcher, retired six batters in a row but ran into a little trouble in the third, walking only his second batter in six games as Chromium battled back to put a run on the board. The seesaw contest was 5-4 into the top of the sixth when Michael Castellano, now pitching, allowed no scoring in the final frame and sealed the second win of the season for Mineola Florist.

Mineola Florist vs. K's Auto Repair

Mineola Florist had their two game winning streak stopped by K's Auto Tuesday night, May 28, in a game that was closer than the score would tell. Victor Ramos pitching for the Florists started strong but ran into a little trouble in the second inning. Relieved by Tom McKeever, who got three strikeouts in his first frame, it was all uphill for the Florists. Billy Sullivan also pitched well but it was not enough in a game that saw some great defensive plays: Cyril Sebastian covered alot of ground in the outfield and caught a fly ball on a dead run, Andrew Koletski at second base grabbed a hot line drive and Tom McKeever at short-stop ranging onto the outfield grass to snag a fly ball as the K's won by 7-3.

The Mineola girls softball team, sponsored by Venezia's Garden Center, continue to improve and recorded their first shutout of the season with an 8-0 victory over Glen Oaks on Friday, May 24. This was a total team effort as the girls flashed their leather and lumber, starting the first with Diana Fox getting the first of her three hits on the day. Then followed by the Athan Girls (Angela and Marissa), both of whom also went 3 for 3. Three RBI singles followed this by Maureen Purcell, Krystie Kern and Delores Chichi to give the girls a three to nothing lead after one. The next three innings, both teams were held scoreless, but with Mineola holding onto their 3-0 lead, Heather Gessner made several plays from the shortstop position; first she threw one to Kelly Mills, who was holding down first base and then with Glen Oaks threatening, Heather threw to Tiffany Klein to force a runner trying to reach third. In the bottom of the fifth, the girls would break the game open with singles by Paige Illamo, Tiffany Klein, Samantha Riccardi and Ashley Thakur, who would all come around to score and then complete the scoring.

Held at the MAA House off Willis Avenue - Thursday, June 6, 7-9 p.m.; Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.-noon; Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.-noon.

Girls and boys - ages 4 and older (must be 4 before 1/1/03, first time registrants must show birth certificates).

We are also looking for coaches and refs.