Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School Varsity Baseball team won the Long Island AA Baseball Championship on Monday, June 1st. The game was played at Herricks High School versus the Suffolk County Champions East Islip High school.

The game started with the Hawks in the field, and with Jason Bonder on the mound. Jason has had an amazing senior season with while assuming the roll as team Co-captain with Michael Rutcofsky, and Bryan Cipolla. Jason got through the first inning mixing his pitches well, and keeping the East Islip off balance.

The Hawks came to bat in the bottom of the first with Jason Appel leading off. Jason has been the leadoff man all year. His speed and quick bat helped him serve as the "Tablesetter" for the Hawk lineup. Jason lined a shot to right field, as Plainview jumped out to start there early assault. The shortstop Michael Rutcofsky continued the barrage by getting on with a single. Bryan Cippola drove in Jason, and Plainview would take a 1-0 lead. Jason Bonder helped by working out a walk. Thomas Hopkins lined a shot, to load the bases.

Jason Garfield came with the big hit to score 2 more runs for the Hawks as they took a 3-0 lead.

The Hawks are known for there amazing pitching, hitting, and fielding. They are also known for their amazing Team camaraderie. Senior teammates like Spencer Wein, and Leo DiSalvo have been roll models for the younger players.

Anthony Zito is in charge of the Dugout Chorus.The entire team encourages each other with cheers. The team's greatest hits include "Did he get 'em", the immortal "UH-OH".

East Islip would get a run back in the top of the fourth.

In the Hawks part of the fourth inning, Jason Appel led off with a walk. Then as the Hawks would say," UH-OH".

Bryan Cipolla came to the plate. He delivered a 450 foot home run in his last High School plate appearance on Long Island. The score was Plainview 5, East Islip 1.

Jason Bonder was in control. When he needed fielding to back him up, he got it from centerfielder Jason who had 8 put outs. The big one was "The Circus Catch",in which he tracked down a shot to the left centerfield fence. After making the catch, he hurled himself over the fence to avoid collision. Wow.T Hopkins fought the sun in leftfield for a tough out in the third inning, while going back to the fence.

"The Hawks worked out with early morning weight room regimen, as well as Summer+ Fall Baseball leagues to hone their skills."said Coach Col ."Ultimately it was character that determined the outcome of the game. That type of hard work came to fruition in the seventh inning."

In the seventh inning East Islip made the game interesting.

McKelvey from E. Islip led off with a single, Jason walked the next batter. Thomas Hopkins came in and faced Friel. It was a tough battle at bat, Friel reached on a walk. Again, manager Mark Colleluori went to the mound. This time he brought in reliever Jason Appel. Jason was touched for a triple. With the tying run on third base Coach Colleluori put in his monster play AKA Super Mario.

Coach Colleluori put third baseman Rob Schenker into catcher's gear, and positioned him on the third baseline 5 yards from the batter. This prevented the Islip batter from squeeze bunting in the tying run. Jason walked Woods.

Coach Colleluori made his final trip to the mound, putting in Ben Green. Ben walked the first batter, which loaded the bases. Ben then struck out Johnson, the DH from Islip.

There were two outs, bases loaded in the seventh. Ben started out with 3 straight balls to Throo. He then battled back, while Throo fouled off several pitches. Throo then hit a line drive ground ball to Bryan Cippola who tagged the man running to third to end the game.

"I've been watching these guys from T-Ball.They have developed into excellent ball players. It has been my privledge to watch them develop into quality young men as well." said team fan and Jason's grandfather Marvin Thal.

The support from the fans, parents and alumni has been incredible. Former Hawk player, now a member of the University of Rhode Island, Michael Harris came out and pitched batting practice to the current players just prior to boarding the bus to play in the Long Island Championship.

"After seeing the lefty Harris, East Islips' Rockfeld was no contest" mentioned a Hawk staffer.

Athletic Director Kevin McDermott is really happy for the players and Coaches. "This is why we do what we do. It doesn't happen very often, so we should appreciate the success of the 2003 Hawks."

The Plainview team will travel to Binghamton to face Greece Arcadia (Section V) in the State Semifinals on Saturday.The winner will then go on to compete in the afternoon New York State Championship game. Let's go Hawks.