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| Photo Credit: Vinny Messana |
In a pitcher’s duel, it’s always a matter of one play that will be the difference. In the bottom of the seventh, Troy Daverne hit a grounder that was misplayed by the shortstop to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Nick Rizzi, who was pinch-hitting for pitcher Joe Barbieri smacked a single to right center field to score the only run of the game and lead Ward Melville to the 1-0 victory over East Islip.
Barbieri was phenomenal. He threw a CG shutout, he struck out seven batters, allowed four hits, one walk and hit one batter. He threw only 93 pitches to improve 8-1.
“It’s hard to hear about him (Barbieri) when nobody gives any respect to Ward Melville,” said Head Coach Lou Petrucci.
Barbieri also recorded the victory in relief on Thursday against Smithtown West.
East Islip’s starter, Casey Krebs, was terrific as well. He was tagged with the tough luck loss, but he did throw 6.1 innings, he allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out three batters.
His offense couldn’t back him with any support. Their best chance came in the fifth inning when Jake Piacenti got on base via E6. He advanced to second on a bloop single to left by Krebs. The cleanup hitter, League IV MVP Mike Demarest, ripped a first-pitch fastball to deep left center field but it was tracked down by the CF to retire the side.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Patriots threatened the score. Brendan Lee led off with a hard-hit single down the third base line. He did not attempt to stretch it into a double with the middle of the order coming up. The next batter, Dominick Lamonica, popped up to first base for the first out. Joe Flynn came to the plate with both teams knowing very well he could open the game up with a big fly.
He ripped a single to right center field, but was thrown out attempting to stretch it to a double for the second out. The cleanup hitter, Jeff Towle, popped up on a 1-1 fastball to first base to end the threat.
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| Photo Credit: Vinny Messana |
After Barbieri scooted through the seventh inning, Troy Daverne led off with a hard-hit ball to the shortstop that was misplayed for a leadoff error.
Brandon Wilson sacrificed him to second base for the first out.
Petrucci sent Rizzi up to the plate in need of a clutch hit.
“He’s a good hitter,” he said. “On any other team in Suffolk County, he would be a starter. Unfortunately, on this team I have Dom Lamonica at first base and Brandon Wilson–a great DH, he can bunt, he can run. But Nick Rizzi is a solid player, he’s a good athlete and a great kid. I feel bad, I want to get him at bats but I can’t take out the guys that are hot,” he added.
The rest was history.
Rizzi smoked the RBI single to walk off a winner. With the victory, the Patriots take Game One of the best of three and are in position to advance next Wednesday, but it will have to come against Demarest–who has made mince meat of the opposition this season.
It should be a classic if Joe Flynn is on the mound.
