Sophomore pitcher Ethan Farino made only his second start of the season for the Ward Melville Patriots (19-3), but he threw a CG shutout gem in their 6-0 win over Smithtown East. The Patriots came out hungry for a win after a short rainstorm yesterday forced both teams to pack it in and continue the game today. WM scratched a run across before the rain rolled through and picked up right where they left off.
“Smithtown East has had our number for the past two years; they came back and beat us in the seventh inning last Wednesday, so we knew we had a tough road ahead,” said WM head coach Lou Petrucci. “Ethan Farino, sophomore, is a great competitor; that was his second start of the year and he came up big time for us.”
RHP Farino and his deceptive three-quarter delivery kept a strong SE lineup in check firing all seven innings allowing just three hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Ruggiero started the game for SE but faced some trouble early, as the game was stopped with a runner on second, one out, and a 3-0 count in the bottom of the second inning. When play resumed, the first batter was walked, a wild pitch advanced both runners, and WM quickly made the score 2-0 after WM shortstop Logan Doran earned an RBI off an E4.
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“I just had to pitch my game and I knew it would be fine because I have one of the best defenses on the island to back me up.” Farino said.
WM plated half of their runs in the fourth inning after batters 1 through 3 all reached base on three consecutive singles to start the inning. Senior third baseman Michael Sepe knocked two runs in off a long fly ball double to LCF that was almost caught by the SE center fielder. Tom Hudzik was able to bring in the third run of the inning after grounding out to first.
“We had a good approach today; Smithtown East is a very good team, well coached, they know how to win,” Petrucci said. “We had the philosophy today to take every opportunity despite the pressure. We had the opportunity today to extend our season and the kids did an excellent job; I’m proud of my ball club.”
WM showed no signs of weakness as they tacked on an insurance run in the sixth inning to insure their victory. Senior Joe Rosselli took one for the team and came around to score the sixth and final run for WM off an RBI single from the four hitter, Kyle Rafferty.
“I told the kids after the game that this win means nothing if you don’t come out and play well on Monday.” Petrucci said.
The Patriots and Bulls are set to face off again on Monday and winner advances to the county semi-finals against West Islip. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Ward Melville.
