by Vinny Messana
For the first five innings, Comsewogue‘s starter John Braun, made quick work off Islip‘s lineup. He had six Ks and had allowed only two hits and one walk while he was protecting a 2-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, however, the Buccaneers’ bats came to life and tied it up on an RBI single by their starting pitcher, Mike Mirando.
“I guess after the third, fourth time through the lineup, guys were starting to see the pitch, starting to get a little better recognition,” said Head Coach Jay Loviglio. “Even then, he was throwing really quality pitches, but the guys were in a battle mode and just wanted to protect the plate and put the ball in play and it paid off,” he added.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jack Morrissey came to the plate with runners on 1st & 2nd and lined a single to right field which scored Tyler Fitzpatrick for the game-winning run.
“Just tried to focus on getting my pitch and helping my team win the game–put the ball in play and things happen,” said Morrissey.
John Braun was terrific but was tagged with the tough-luck loss (Photo Credit: Vinny Messana)
He did just that, and with the victory the Buccaneers are now 9-3 on the season.
Both starting pitchers were very sharp early. After two scoreless frames to begin the game, Comsewogue broke through first. With two outs and nobody on, Jordan Lisco (3-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored) blooped a single just over Kevin Colgan‘s head at first base. The next batter, Mike Stiles, smacked an RBI triple down the left field line to score Lisco and put Comsewogue on the board first.
Mirando settled in and threw a scoreless inning in the fourth with his fifth and sixth strikeouts of the game. In the top of the fifth, Braun helped himself with a one-out single over the third baseman’s head. After a walk to Justin Virga, Lisco drove home Braun with an RBI single to increase the lead to 2-0.
At that point, it really seemed like the game was over with the way Braun was throwing.
“He worked at his tempo, he threw a lot of strikes and his offspeed is plus,” said Morrissey.
He was remarkably efficient. He worked at Mark Buehrle’s pace, and he had pinpoint command of his curve, not just throwing it for strikes but hitting spots off the outside corner with two strikes that pitching coaches dream of.
In the sixth inning, there was two outs and nobody on and it appeared Braun was going to cruise into the seventh. Morrissey had his first hit of the day, and Colgan followed with a two-strike hit on a great breaking ball. Catcher Anthony Navaro hit a one-hopper to third base, but it clanked off the third baseman’s glove to get the Buccaneers on the board. Mirando made it hurt with a well-struck single into right center field to tie the game up at 2-2.
Despite having thrown 110 pitches, Mirando went back out for the seventh inning. He allowed a leadoff single on a dribbler down the first base line, but his luck evened out when Braun hit a rocket directly at the third baseman that turned into an easy 5-3 double play. After Virga hit a two-out single, he got Lisco to fly out to center.
Mirando ended up recording his third victory of the year. The unsigned junior already has a no-hitter to his name this season. He allowed seven hits and two ER (although the run in the third should have been caught), with seven strikeouts. He showed a lot of grittiness and you can read our scouting report on him to see his velocity and tendencies.
His coach was impressed with his performance.
“Mikey has been very good at throwing strikes,” said Loviglia. “He usually pounds the zone and he threw a lot of quality pitches that might’ve just missed, but he stayed with it. His arm was free and easy, which I liked and he had to pitch around a lot of mistakes, so that’s a tribute right there.”
