One of the premiere sports events in East Hills, the Mayor's Trophy Game, was played on Sunday morning, Sept. 26, at Harbor Hill School. Mayor Koblenz threw out the opening pitch as the co-chairs, Peter Wagner and Stu Faden, looked on. The third annual game pitted Steve Halperin's team against Jeff Gass' team in what was agreed to be one of most competitive and best attended tournaments to date.

Emily Hauser, a talented Roslyn High School student, sang the National Anthem to the delight of the spectators who came to watch their family members and friends play. Mayor Koblenz said, "This year's match was another exciting come-from-behind win by extremely talented athletes whose level of play was quite impressive." In just a couple of years the final game will be played at the new Park at East Hills, which is under construction. Joining the mayor to cheer on and support the players were Village Trustees Gary Leventhal and Manny Zuckerman. Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson also attended and at the end of the game, as soon as Mayor Koblenz presented the winning team a trophy, presented an official certificate to honor the winning team. The mayor has also invited the wining team to the board of trustees village meeting where the winning team's jersey, photo and caption of their names will be framed and hung in Village Hall. In addition, both Peter Wagner and Stu Faden will be acknowledged and given awards for planning and implementing the highly successful event.

Here's a re-cap of the dynamic action:

After two infield errors helped Steve Halperin's team jump out to a three run lead in the top of the first, and then push across another three in the second, Jess Mayor held the team scoreless with his stellar pitching, while his teammates steadily chipped away at the deficit. Jason Rubin scored two runs for the winning team, and Adam Gass (Jeff's son) drove in two to lead the comeback. Jess Mayor also helped himself by driving in one run and scoring two. Other notable standout plays included some beautiful catches in left field by Aaron Elkowitz and solid defense in right field by Cliff Lewisohn.

On Steve Halperin's team, Dan Lanzalotti, after a 15 year absence from the diamond, made a number of beautiful plays at first base to keep the game close. Tom Friedman, with his lightening speed, reached base 3 of 4 at bats, and Rob Duca contributed by scoring two runs. Gutsy Jeff Gould, who injured his hamstring in the outfield, and went on to play first base, went 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Pitcher Lenny Roos helped his own cause, also going 2 for 3, with a run scored and an RBI. Captain Steve Halperin said afterwards, "We came up a little short, but I am impressed with how my guys kept battling, especially after falling behind in the bottom of the sixth. It just wasn't meant to be, I guess," he added.

Winning captain Jeff Gass said, "It was an exciting, and satisfying comeback, especially after coming out a little flat."

The members of the winning team were:

Captain: Jeff Gass

Jess Mayor

Mark Rubin

Nat Cherney

Mark Baum

Jason Rubin

Adam Gass

Stuart Siris

Cliff Lewisohn

Aaron Elkowitz