Our @DigmiNation Player of the Game is freshman Sean Lane for his clutch two-run single in the fourth inning to give the Bayhawks a 2-1 lead. #TipYourCap #LiveDreamBe pic.twitter.com/w43DnRhd1e
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 18, 2018
The transition back-and-forth between grass and turf infields can be difficult for amateur players. For that reason, St. John the Baptist scheduled multiple scrimmages to prepare for their battle against rival St. Dominic. The tactic, unfortunately, did not prevent defensive miscues that was the difference in their 4-3 loss.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Tony Figliuolo led off the inning with a single and advanced on a single by Brandon Bruno. The ensuing batter hit a ground ball to third that was bobbled and thrown in the dirt to first, which allowed Figliuolo to score the go-ahead for the Bayhawks.
In the bottom of the inning, reliever Johnny Flannigan allowed consecutive two out singles, but fanned the dangerous E.J. Exposito looking to end the game and secure the victory.
The game certainly had a different feel in the early going.
The Cougars loaded the bases with two outs in the first inning but Matt Mione escaped the jam with a fly ball to right off the bat of Tom Watson.
He ran into trouble again in the top of the second once again. A leadoff walk and consecutive infield singles loaded the bases with 0 out for Exposito. He flew out to center field to bring up ECU-commit Logan O’Hoppe. He hit a fly ball between the right field and second baseman that dropped in and allowed everyone to move up a base and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
The next sequence was very unusual as James Madison-commit Will Shaw ripped a fly ball to left field that appeared to be a conventional sacrifice fly but the Bayhawks appealed and it was ruled the runner left early; which ended the inning at 1-0.
St. John the Baptist starter, Kevin Czeczotka was breezing along. He cruised through the first three innings, allowing just one hit and a walk.
The Cougars offense went down quietly in the third inning but they put together another rally in the fourth inning. A one-out walk, a single by Exposito and a walk to Shaw loaded the bases for Tom Force, but he was retired on a fly out to right field. This was the third inning they had bases loaded with only one run to show for it. Despite their 1-0 lead, it was an ominous sign for the Cougars.
In the home half of the fourth, a leadoff walk to Jared Paladino set the tone. Flannigan ripped a single to move him into scoring position. Figliuolo loaded the bases with a broken bat single to center which set the stage for the freshman Sean Lane who hit one hard to right that landed in front of the right fielder to score two runs and give St. Dominic the 2-1 lead. They extended the lead to 3-1 on a sacrifice fly by Bruno.
In the top of the sixth, a walk and a HBP brought up Force, who turned on one and hooked a two-run double down the right field line to tie the game 3-3. They were retired to bring up St. Dominic to the plate in the bottom of the sixth, where they took the lead on the infield error.
It was the defensive miscues and runners left in scoring position that played a crucial role in the game. St. Dominic made the plays and they came away with the victory.
Still plenty of ball to play this season, and these two teams will be back in action to play the rubber game of the series with sophomore flamethrower Carlos Hidalgo getting the start for the Bayhawks.
