Seth Steinberg opens up the scoring for the storm in the first clearing the bases with a single. Storm lead, 2-0, mid first. pic.twitter.com/PDqBJtQWmH
— aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) August 10, 2017
The Storm came up clutch and got it done in a big way to defeat the LI Patriots by five runs. Despite the high score, the two teams battled all game with Storm leading, 2-1, from the second inning to the sixth. Smithtown was led by their pitcher and catcher duo in this strong showing of timely hitting and high-quality pitching.
The pitcher, Ryan Mayr (Smithtown West ’18), would go the distance allowing just two hits over seven innings. After allowing a run off a hit in the bottom half of the first, Mayr dug deep and worked into a groove not allowing any hits until the seventh inning. The LHP is comfortable throwing to his catcher, Seth Steinberg (Farmingdale State 2021).
“I talked to my dad before the game, he told me to be loose and just throw the way I do,” said Mayr. “It’s all Seth, he tells me not to shake him off so I just throw what he calls.”
Steinberg helped his pitcher feel comfortable early in the game, in the first inning. He would step up with two outs and runners on second and third and crack a single to the gap to drive both of the runners in. The catcher would have a monster day at the plate finishing 2-for-3 with four RBI.
“I felt really good out there [tonight].” Steinberg said.
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The pitcher-catcher duo was really on the same page throughout the game, as Mayr retired 14 batters in a row after allowing a run in the first. Their strong chemistry made their six-run sixth inning possible; Mayr outlasted his opposing pitcher. Smithtown would knock the Patriot’s starter out in the sixth inning with no one out after a double and an error.
“I walked the first batter and he came in to score so after that batter I just realized I have to hit my spots and I just spotted up.” Mayr said.
Mayr would run in to some trouble in the seventh with his control. After walking two batters Ivan Rodriguez would drive in two runs for the Patriots on a hard hit double to the left-center gap.
The two teams split the regular season series with the Patriots winning the last matchup, 3-1. Smithtown does not have an easy road ahead as they are set to take on Elite on Monday at 8:30 p.m. from Medford Athletic Complex. When asked what the key to beating Elite is the pitcher and catcher were on the same page again.
“Hit the ball like we did tonight,” Steinberg said. “Hits, we have to get some hits.” Mayr said.
The duo was making a clear reference to their last meeting with the Elite. The Storm would lose just, 1-0, after Aaron Krzyewski threw a one hit complete game shutout for Elite. Due to a couple of byes Smithtown is actually the last team that Elite has played in Brookhaven, when they squared off for their regular season finale on August 3.
