When the Black Diamonds jumped ahead to a 5-0 lead in the fifth a victory seemed unlikely for the Legends, however their tough lineup would score five in the bottom halves of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
West Islip class of 2018 outfielder, Anthony Ippolito, was on the mound for the Black Diamonds and shut down the Legends offense for four innings. The hard throwing LHP only allowed one hit through his first four frames, but the fifth began with a double from the Legends 3-hitter, Desena.
After loading the bases with no outs Ippolito escaped allowing only two runs. This, in part, was due to the Diamonds strong defense behind him. After loading the bases with a walk Ippolito got 6’4 Holmstock to smoke a ball right to his second baseman who doubled up the runner at second.
“I felt really good out there, I don’t have much experience on the mound and I’m recovering from a bit of an injury, but it really felt fantastic to contribute for my team,” said Ippolito. “I really love pitching.”
The Black Diamonds offense was led by Liam Kennedy, who made a major adjustment after striking out in his first at bat off three straight curve balls. Kennedy would bounce back to finish 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run. He was part of a big three-run fifth inning for the Black Diamonds that proved to be the difference after Ryan Hancock led off the inning with a single.
“The past few games I’ve had luck driving the ball outside to opposite field so that was my mentality” Kennedy said.
Jordan Piht contributed at the plate for Black Diamonds finishing 1-for-4 with a walk and a run. His biggest at bat would end up being the difference in this game on a ball that he expressed displeasure in, as he popped the ball up to the right side with runners on second and third with one run already coming across in the inning. The Legends second baseman failed to corral the shallow popup and an overthrow over third base and off the field cleared the bases giving Black Diamonds a, 5-0, lead.
Both Ippolito and Piht made a difference on the mound and at the plate for the Black Diamonds. Piht would come in to record the final out after Legends came within one run of tying the game with two outs. The hard throwing RHP would get the lead off hitter to fly out to center on a well-hit ball to end the game. Ipolitto finished his day at the plate 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks.
“I was just trying to get outs so we could get the W,” Ippolito said. “That’s always my main goal, I was just trying to hit my spots and feel out the hitters.”
Ipolitto accomplished his pitching goals in this game after throwing a dominant start where he retired nine batters in a row at one point. He demonstrated his ability to keep it down consistently with a slow windup that gives way to hard velocity from the left side; a breaking ball was mixed in as well and the speed difference was more than enough to throw hitters off.
The Legends are a strong team who was just handed their third loss on the summer in the 17u American division. They look to bounce back tomorrow as they are set to take on LI Titans Flynn tomorrow at 6 p.m. from Newfield HS. The Black Diamonds will be participating in a tournament and won’t play in Boys of Summer again until July 9, as they are scheduled to take on LI Titans Flynn at 10 a.m. from Sachem North HS.
