The Mineola Mustang varsity baseball team clinched a conference championship by beating Roosevelt on Thursday, 14-1. For coach Helms Bohringer the important win was his 100th as varsity baseball coach of Mineola. The team presented the coach with a gift and a celebratory ice bath to further commemorate the occasion. The Mustangs began the playoffs on Saturday at Division High School.

Mustang Baseball Team Clinches Conference Championship

The team earned the conference title, playing in some tough games the entire season, especially in conference games.

During Spring Break, the Mustangs got into conference action with a 5-2 win over Manhasset. The Mustangs scored a run in the second inning when junior Mike DeStefano scored on a fielder's choice from senior Matt Shanahan. Three more runs came in the fifth inning. Derek Webber (Jr.) singled followed by a Tom Owens (Jr.) double. Joe Wissler (Sr., Captain) was hit by a pitch. DeStefano followed with a two-run single. Shanahan pitched a complete game, allowing only five hits.

In the second game of the double header, Manhasset drew even with a 5-4 victory. Manhasset reached lefty Tiago Rodrigues (soph.) for three runs, including a three-run homer. Mineola was down 4-0 in the top of the seventh inning. Peter Averaimo (Sr.) doubled home the first run. Then, co-captain Dan Medlock (Sr.) crushed an 0-1 pitch for a two-run homer. The blast got the Mustangs to within a run. After two consecutive strikeouts, number one hitter Pat Gaffney drilled a homerun to right center field to tie the score. But, in the bottom of the seventh, Manhasset won it with a walk-off homer.

In game three of the series, Manhasset prevailed 8-6. Mineola was its own worst enemy, committing five errors. Only two of the eight runs the Indians scored that day were earned. Manhasset took two of three games in the series.

Mineola then opened a series with Seaford. In game one, the Vikings sailed past the Mustangs 4-2. Sophomore pitcher Tiago Rodrigues pitched a complete game. However, a combination of fielding and base running mistakes proved too costly for Mineola. On the bright side, Junior Kevin Cahill connected for his first varsity hit in the game while Tom Owens and Mike DeStefano each had two hits.

Mineola needed to win game two of the series and the Mustangs did just that, beating Seaford 7-4. Mineola opened a 6-0 lead with two runs in the first, third and fourth innings. Matt Shanahan earned the win.

Mineola then took the rubber game of the series with a 7-1 win. A three-run first got it started. Joe Wissler connected for a two-run single. Peter Averaimo had three hits on the day. Pitcher Mike Kondraciuk went the distance on a four-hitter. Third baseman Pat Gaffney had three outstanding plays in the game. Catcher Mike Bencivenga three out two runners attempting to steal.

Mineola played Valley Stream South at Keyspan Park in Brooklyn, where the minor league team the Brooklyn Cyclones play its games, but lost 10-1.