The annual seniors-only classic began with an early lead for Suffolk, who hosted the event. St. Joseph’s stands could hardly hold the mostly-Suffolk crowd that supported their run manufacturing team, who scored in all but two innings. Rocky Point Head Coach Andrew Aschettino was part of a coaching staff that included two other notable Class A head coaches in Bayport’s Jim Moccio and Mount Sinai’s Eric Reichenbach.
“This was a team of studs, this was fun. I told them before the game that they are here for a reason, and go out there and do what you do,” Aschettino said.
Kenneth Gordon set the tone for Suffolk working a four-pitch walk to lead off the game. After a couple of fielder’s choices, Brian Morrell busted a line drive single up the middle to drive in Peter Theodorellis from second. Pat-Med’s Brad Malm then stepped up and drove Morrell in with a single. The Suffolk team was also impressive on the mound with a slew of quality arms that went to work on the Nassau team holding them scoreless for six innings.
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“Just enjoy it, represent your family name, team name and your county,” Aschettino said. “They had a blast, you saw the talent out there this was fun.”
Suffolk got right back to business in the second getting their seven and eight hitters on with no out. With runners on the corners and one out, Gordon did his job and drove in the Suffolk offensive player of the game, in Hauppauge’s Matt Overton, to go ahead, 3-0, in the second. In the top half of the second, Pat-Med RHP Josh Rovner earned himself a brand new Rawlings glove for defensive player of the game after making an impressive behind the back pick on a comeback grounder to retire the batter 1-3. West Islip SS Greg Tsouprakos took home the team MVP plaque for Suffolk after his three RBI performance, as he replaced Gordon in the leadoff spot in the fourth.
“It was an honor to play in this game, there was so much talent on the field,” Tsouprakos said. “It was a lot of fun playing with the guys; playing with guys you’ve played against all year in high school.”
Despite falling behind, 10-1, after the seventh inning, the Nassau All Stars took tough and smart at bats in the ninth inning against Commack ace Theodorellis. He faced nine batters in his inning of work and allowed three runs, walking four.
“It’s tricky when you get here because you know you’re going to be facing strike throwers; you want to tell kids to be aggressive,” Aschettino said. “Early on I’ll tell them to be selective and as the game goes on and guys settle in you anticipate strikes.”
The final would have been closer if Suffolk didn’t produce a near-replica of Nassau’s ninth inning in the seventh. Four walks and a couple of errors brought in three runs for Suffolk in an inning that they recorded zero hits.
“I tried not to make too much of the moment; I just treated it like another game,” Tsouprakos said. “Obviously with all the talent on the field it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but you just have to stay composed and put your best swing on the ball.”
