The Mineola High School varsity baseball team completed its season by earning a berth in the Class-A playoffs. Now, let's catch up on how the regular season concluded.

In game two of their three-game series with Manhasset, Mineola grabbed a 2-0 lead. Senior first baseman John Cloghessy led off the third inning with a walk, stole second and was driven home by senior Nelson Lopes' RBI single.

In the fourth inning, junior Chris Orlando reached on an error, stole second and later scored when Manhasset attempted a pick-off and the ball went into the outfield.

A Mustang error in the fifth inning gave the home field Indians a baserunner. The next batter drove in the runner with an opposite field double. But, Mineola got out of the inning when Manhasset's squeeze bunt attempt failed and the runner on third was tagged out in a rundown.

After a sixth inning lead-off single by Lopes, he stole second, tagged up and went to third on a deep flyout by Orlando, but failed to score. That proved costly. The Indians scored four runs in the sixth to take the lead and won 4-2.

In the series finale, Manhasset took a 5-1 lead only to have Mineola rally to take a 7-5 lead. In the third, senior Tiago Rodrigues doubled and scored on a clutch single from senior Mike Santopetro. Then, senior Kevin Tiseo crushed a pitch for a two-run homer to bring the Mustangs to within a run.

Junior pitcher Chris Orlando stopped Manhasset in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, Rodrigues drew a one-out walk. He stole second and scored on a Nelson Lopes' single. Lopes then stole second and third and scored when Tiseo smashed another homer, even further than the first. The Mustangs led 7-5.

Manhasset tied the score and knocked Orlando out of the game. Santopetro came on in relief and shut the door.

Mineola took the lead when junior Rob Maloney singled followed by another single from Rodrigues and an error.

Rodrigues then took the mound, hoping to save the game. "Tiago showed why he is a quality ballplayer. I had no choice but to bring him in to pitch after a single and a walk. Tiago struck out the first batter he faced," said coach Helms Bohringer.

With men on second and third, Mineola played the infield halfway and Lopes probably saved the season when he snagged a hot smash and threw out the runner at the plate. The third out came when Orlando, now catching, threw out a runner trying to steal third.

The Mustangs added some late runs and won 10-7. Tiseo ended up driving in five runs.

It came down to Mineola having to sweep its season-ending series with Valley Stream North to win the conference championship.

In the opener, Mineola rode the arm of Rodrigues for a 3-0 victory in eight innings, which ensured the Mustangs a playoff spot. Mineola scored three times in the top of the eighth and Rodrigues went the distance.

Still facing the need to sweep the series, Mineola grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second game when Rodrigues and Santopetro scored on an error and a clutch Orlando single.

North evened the score, but Mineola got the lead again. Santopetro reached on an error; Tiseo singled; Orlando grounded in a fielder's choice and with runners on the corners, Santopetro scored on a steal and stop.

North, however, scored twice in the seventh to win 4-3 and the conference title. Mick Oswald threw well enough to win, but couldn't finish and didn't get enough run support.

Game three of the series had no real meaning but the Mustangs came out and walloped North 16-9. Nelson Lopes got his first pitching start of the season and got the win. Mike Santopetro went 2-2 with a two-run homer, drove in four runs, scored three times and had three stolen bases. Senior Chris Lang was 1-2 and scored three times while Lopes had a 2-3 day, driving in four and scoring twice. Also getting hits were senior Nick Tonini, junior Mike Vasconcellos, senior Mark Levy, junior Joe Melito, senior John Rovegno and senior Justin Gonzalez.

The Mustangs went into the playoffs against a familiar opponent, New Hyde Park. Mineola and the Gladiators had scrimmaged several times during the season, but the Mustangs had never seen Joe Marrano on the mound. He stopped Mineola on three hits and struck out 12 in a 6-0 New Hyde Park victory.

Tiago Rodrigues opened the game with a single and stole second but he was left stranded when the next three Mustang hitters struck out.

On the mound, Rodrigues struggled. It was discovered he had a blister on his pitching hand. He was replaced by Mick Oswald, who did an outstanding job.

The Mustangs had another chance in the sixth. They loaded the bases but didn't score.

"Congratulations to all of the seniors upon their graduation and setting the bar for our Mustang baseball program. They've accomplished a lot and will be missed by the entire coaching staff," said coach Bohringer.