In another edition of “East meets West,” the East dominated as the Madison Knights, Brooklyn Tech Engineers, and Sheepshead Bay Sharks all earned victories against their respective West division rivals. Despite getting blown out 11-1 by Madison, the Telecommunications Yellow Jackets (8-1) still holds a slight half game lead over New Utrecht (7-1) heading into Spring Break recess.
Friday, April 18
A 9-run third inning pretty much decided this contest, as the Engineers dominated FDR 13-2. With most of the runs being scored in the third inning, Tech added a single run in the fourth while posting up three more in the six where the game was officially game because of the PSAL mercy rule. Leading the Engineers’ plot was third baseman Robert Wihlborg, who went 2-for-4, with a triple, and drove in a team-high three runs.
Shortstop Alex Diamond, centerfielder Angel Rivera, second baseman Art Madera, and left fielder Eric Robinson each knocked in two scores to cap the Tech offensive onslaught. On the hill was pitcher Matthew Gibson (2-0), who hurled six innings of two run, five hit ball to get his second win of the season.
The New Utrecht Utes had a 3-0 lead after the third inning but they allowed a run each in the third, fourth, and seventh innings to bring it to extra frames, where the Sharks had the momentum to clip the Utes in two extra innings, 4-3. Leading the Sharks was pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, who tossed eight innings, allowing three unearned runs on five hits while fanning six. At the plate, “E-Rod’s” sacrifice fly drove in a run for an R.B.I. With the other two ribbies was second baseman Angel Vidal and catcher Armando Merino.
The Utes were led by center fielder Alexander Warden, who singled in two runs in the opening inning of the game. On the hill, pitcher Xavier Alvarado (3-0) received a no-decision, as he pitched seven innings, surrendering one earned run on four hits while striking out a season-high 13 batters.
In a pitcher’s duel, Midwood’s Evrotas Volman Schwebel stymied Fort Hamilton as he allowed nothing but three hits in a 1-0 shutout win. Schwebel (1-2) earned his first victory of the season by freezing eight and walking one. But the Hornets only managed to get three hits, with one of them being a double, as left fielder John Fleming, center fielder Matthew Wheelehan, and third baseman Michael Esposito each had swatted a pitch past the infield. The “W” snapped the Hornets’ five game loosing streak, which had them drop a back-to-back to division-rival Madison.
In what was supposed to be the marquee matchup of last week, became a blowout as Madison routed Telecommunications, 11-1 in a five inning mercy. The Knights got another spectacular performance from their clutch pitcher Victor Cosme (3-1). The hurler tossed all five innings and allowed just three hits while striking out five to get his third victory of the season. In the batter’s box, center fielder Kevin Laidlaw, singled in three runs in a 1-for-2 afternoon. Designated hitter Christopher Dantuono, singled in two more runs in the big offensive output.
Wednesday, April 16
With the game tied at three apiece heading into the home half of the fifth, Telecommunications plated four to win 7-3. Leading the Yellow Jackets was first baseman Richard Adames, who knocked in a team-high two runs while shortstop Elddy Fernandez, catcher Jason Galeano and designated hitter Jon Pierre Garcia each plated a run. Pitcher Noel Palencia allowed three runs on two hits while striking out four. Reliever Jose Ramos ten came in to throw three shutout innings to preserve the Jackets’ victory.
Railsplitters pitcher Charlie Lugo led the way with an R.B.I. single. On the mound, he had a decent outing by tossing five frames and allowing five earned runs on five hits while fanning five. But the offense behind Lugo, only managed two hits, one each from catcher Christian Orue and center fielder Michael Ortega.
Despite outscoring the Cougars, 3-0 in the final three innings, the Fort Hamilton Tigers could not muster anymore runs as they were defeat 5-4 by FDR. On the mound for FDR was ace pitcher Joel Pena, who went the distance by pitching all seven innings, surrendering one earned run on four hits while fanning seven. At the plate, second baseman Luis Rios and designated hitter Christopher Cheedie each batted in two runs.
What a day for New Utrecht pitcher Brian Cubero, who pitched six shutout innings to beat Brooklyn Studio 9-0. Cubero finished his outing by just allowing two hits and striking out eight. At the plate, he was spectacular, going 3-for-5 with three R.B.I. and scoring a run. First baseman Robert Delaney added two R.B.I. on two doubles while catcher Nathaniel Vasquez, center fielder Alexander Warden, third baseman Daniel Green, and right fielder Jason Pachtman each drove in a run.
