Troy Davern Smacks a HR and Fires a Complete Game in 10-2 Win over Pat-Med

by Vinny Messana

When the two League I powerhouses clash, it’s not for the faint of heart. The first two games featured a win by each team (one in 10 innings), ejections from both sides and no love lost between the two schools.

Today, Troy Davern, starting pitcher and cleanup hitter for Ward Melville, took matters into his own hands and dominated on both sides of the ball in the Patriots 10-2 win over Pat-Med.

“The emotions of the first game was just ridiculous,” said the senior. ” This game I knew I had to come in, throw strikes, hit and do everything I could possible for my team.”

He certainly did that. He went 3-for-3 at the plate, with three runs scored including a long two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break the game open at 10-2. He also threw a complete game, allowing just two runs on four walks and six hits. It was the first complete game of his career, and he put an exclamation point on it by striking out Josh Mercurio to end the game.

After the Patriots went down 1-2-3 in the first inning against Thomas Pannullo, they broke out in a big way in the second inning. They put up four runs, thanks to three consecutive hits to start the inning, with Pat Morelli bringing in Davern with an RBI single. After a well-executed sac bunt, Nick Rizzi gave the Patriots the 2-1 lead with a single to score Joey Rosselli. The Patriots then executed a double steal with Morelli coming home to bring in the third run of the inning. Nick Vitale followed with an RBI single to increase the lead to 4-1.

They broke it open in the third inning with two runs on a two-run single by Morelli to score Dom Lamonica–who led off the inning with a walk–and Daverne.

The Raiders didn’t mount much offense against Davern with the exception of an RBI single by Andrew Ciufo in the second inning and a solo HR by Brad Malm to deep left center field.

With the victory, the Patriots now lead League I and are 9-3 in conference play with an overall record of 10-4.

Pat-Med drops to 8-7 on the season and they are in third place in the league. Two more wins will qualify them for a postseason berth.

“We just gotta keep that faith, keep praying and hoping we come out on top, and I think, in my mind, we’ll come out on top.”