Minor League Championship - June 24

Nassau Chromium 8, Barnwell House of Tires 5

Barnwell should be proud of the year all 12 of their players had. Playing Nassau Chromium for the championship would not be easy. Nassau did not lose a game all year. The two played twice before and Nassau came out on top 2-0 and 3-2, which was in round three of the playoffs.

Barnwell jumped out with two quick runs in the first. Peter Ciuffo led off the game with a walk and Brendan Behan doubled him home. Behan stole third and Luke Escobar singled him home. Barnwell's Daniel McAree started and got through the first two innings without allowing a run and striking out four. Nassau's line-up all hit very well. Leading the way was Billy Sullivan and Nick Palma. It would be hard to keep them from scoring.

Barnwell scored two more in the third on a walk to Zachary Englis, who has been on base eight of 11 times going into the game. Behan singled to put runners on first and second. Both runners stole. Up came catcher Vincent Ciuoffo, who has caught the last four runners trying to steal. Vincent singled to score both.

In the bottom of the inning, Nassau's Geoffrey Shibahara walked. Anthony Benvegna singled. Nicky Palma then singled to score one. Billy Sullivan then doubled for two RBI. Billy was two for three in the game.

Barnwell was held scoreless the rest of the way and Nassau scored five more times. Mike Cerqueira has a two run double in the big inning. Nicky Palma was two for three and scored two runs for Nassau.

Barnwell did get three runners on in the sixth but could not push across any more runs and Nassau went on for the 8-5 win. Both teams played well. Barnwell's Brendan Behan was three for three and scored two runs. Behan was 14 for 16 in the five playoff games for Barnwell. Vincent Ciuffo was one for two with a walk. Zachary Englis walked twice and scored a run. Shortstop Robby Clarkin, first baseman Luke Escobar, centerfielder Kevin Hardiman, leftfielder Stevie Mogavero and rightfielders Mat Stephens and Mike Iannelli played well in the field.

Barnwell's manager Ted Englis would like to thank his coaches Jimmy Clarkin, Roy Stephens, Ed Escobar, Philip Ciuffo and all the moms who worked the stand. Also, a special thanks to Jimmy Clarkin, who served as president with Mr. Englis, for all his hard work. Mr. Englis would also like to thank the Iannelli family for their wonderful end of the year party at their restaurant, Rockaway Cafe in Valley Stream.