[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peN1RgGYPes]
Connetquot coach Bob Ambrosini liked what he saw from his starting pitcher, defense and offense in Monday’s 9-3 victory over Sachem North. Coming from a coach that has 32 years of experience and ranks No. 3 in Suffolk County history in wins, it’s safe to say the Chiefs played some good baseball.
“We hit the ball pretty well today I thought,” said Ambrosini. “We’ve kind of been inconsistent hitting the ball. I thought we’d hit the ball all season but we’ve kind of been up-and-down. Today we did well,” he said.
Objectively, it is hard to nitpick the Chief’s offense. They have eclipsed eight runs on seven different occasions this season.
They jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, when the first three batters–Marc Wangenstein, Chris Nissen, Dave Brehm) reached base in succession with a walk, single and an RBI single. After an out, Aaron Gagliano ripped a two-run single to open up a 3-0 lead.
Sachem North’s starting pitcher, Chris Lollo, struck out the next batter for the second out but another RBI single opened the lead up to 4-0.
The Chiefs added some insurance runs as the game progressed. In the bottom of the fourth, Brehm, Adelphi-bound Brandon Morse and Gagliano amassed consecutive RBI hits with Gagliano’s coming as the big blow–a two-run double to deep center field (video above). He drove in four runs and Brehm had three hits.
Connetquot’s starter, Travis Bruinsma, was strong. He went six innings, allowed only one ER and struck out nine batters.
“Travis has been throwing well for us all year,” said Ambrosini. “When he gets his breaking ball over he’s been very tough. He kind of short arms the ball, so the ball gets on you quick,” he added.
Bruinsma won his fourth game of the season. He was very efficient with his pitches and worked mainly with a two-pitch mix that was tying the Arrow’s hitters into knots at the plate.
He also benefited from a strong defense that made zero errors.
“We play good defensively, so if we just swing the bat we’ll be in every game we play,” he added.
They are now 11-2 and appearing to separate themselves from the rest of the league.
Sachem North has now lost six consecutive games after beginning their season on a seven-game win streak.
They have a handful of college-level players on their team including a couple with pro-potential which makes it surprising they are scuffling recently.
The two teams will play again tomorrow.
