https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbifqwX4G7M&t=1s
In a battle filled with current and future Div-I prospects, it was a third inning rally that enabled the Body Armor Titans to come out victorious in a friendly rivalry.
In what was dubbed “McGregor vs Mayweather“, Titans-Parso took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-run double by Nick Ungar (Connetquot ’18) on a well-struck ball off James Cardinale (Commack ’18) into left center field to score Will Feil (Wheatley ’18) and Chris Peralta (Valley Stream South ’18).
That was all the offense they would muster up on this day against a loaded pitching staff.
Kyle Johnson (Newfield ’18) came on in relief in the third inning and worked around a walk and a single to Mike Handal (Garden City ’18) thanks to a sacrifice bunt, a strikeout and a heads up play by catcher Logan O’Hoppe (St. John the Baptist ’18) to nail Handal who was straying far off the bag at second.
The Body Armor bats awoke in the third inning off Kevin McNiff (Garden City ’18). A leadoff single by Tyer Marinaccio (PlainviewJFK ’18) through the right side, an error and a walk to Liam Pulsipher (Center Moriches ’18) loaded the bases for Mark Faello (Plainview-JFK ’18) who singled to right-center field to cut the lead to 2-1. After a strikeout, Jason Coules (Bellmore JFK ’18) tied the game up with a fielder’s choice. They took the lead on a bases loaded walk to O’Hoppe.
That was all the offense they would need, as they brought Faello (Hofstra-commit) to the mound. The reigning Diamond Award winner was lights out over three innings of work. He retired all nine batters he faced in order, including three strikeouts. He flashed an 87-89 MPH fastball with a devastating 12-6 curve that he had full command of.
Body Armor added another run in the home half of the sixth on a bases loaded walk to Marinaccio.
The star of the day was on the losing end, though.
And here is Franklin Parra (Copiague ’18) throwing a 93 MPH fastball past Kyle Johnson pic.twitter.com/u05pKj4KVq
aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) July 20, 2017
Uncommitted LHP Franklin Parra (Copiague ’18) was absolutely filthy. He worked in the 89-90 MPH range with a couple 93 MPHs thrown in. He also showed command of a hellacious 83 MPH slider that wreaked havoc on batters. He struck out three batters and induced many uncomfortable hacks.