A Tim Fine two-run game-winning single helped push Calhoun past Plainview JFK, 10-9.
Calhoun got the momentum going early in the bottom of the first with shortstop Matt Pelcher knocking a homerun to deep right center to get the Colts on the board and tie it up at one a piece. The Colts knew they would be in for a test, as Plainview JFK starter and Hofstra-commit Mark Faello took the hill.
Faello certainly had plenty of run support throughout the game. The Hawks knocked a total of nine runs in the game and scored one in at least every inning.
The trouble for the Hawks came in the second inning when Calhoun second baseman Jack Pugliano cleared the bases loaded with a one-out triple to right center. Pugliano would later score in the same inning on a two-run double by starting pitcher Anthony D’Andrea. Just two innings in, the Colts commanded a 6-2 lead.
Plainview JFK would fight back, slowly chipping away each inning. In the third, an RBI single by Michael Rothstein would cut it to 6-3. Rothstein had a stellar day at the plate, notching three hits and driving in three as well.
In the top of the fourth the Hawks would add another run, this time courtesy of a Ryan Saltzman RBI single. Saltzman would single two more times later in the game to go along with a stolen bag.
Throughout the ball game, both teams looked locked in at the plate. Although he would have one of his more disappointing appearances on the mound this season, Faello contributed with the bat. In total, he had one double, a walk, and a single on the afternoon.
After the Hawks were able to cut it to 7-6, they finally broke through in the sixth inning. With two runners on, Rothstein laced a two-run double to give Plainview JFK an 8-7 lead. Reliever Zach Herman came in the bottom of the inning and set the Colts down 1-2-3 to preserve the one-run lead.
After the Hawks added an insurance run to make it 9-7, the Colts took to bat. A single and a walk set the table for Val Pagano. With two strikes, he lifted a deep double, hitting the top of the fence in left field to bring home one run and set runners at second and third. Next batter was Tom Fine. With the defense playing relatively deep, Fine lifted a bloop single to centerfield, plating the tying and go ahead runs, giving Calhoun the 10-9 victory.
After the game, head coach Art Canestro talked about the final inning. “I knew with this team they were not going to give up. We were going to get something going.”
The thrilling finish puts Calhoun at 9-2 on the year.
