Leading 3-0 in the fifth inning with reliable Johnny Flannigan on the hill, it appeared that St. Dominic was on the verge of forcing a do-or-die Championship Game against St. John the Baptist.
After a wild turn of events and a go-ahead two-run triple by Matt Lavin, it was a disappointing end to the season for the Bay Hawks.
Disappointing ends typically lead to motivated groups, and with first-year Head Coach Brian Anderson at the helm, there is no reason to believe this team won’t at least make it to the Championship Game again, and could be the favorites.
Anderson, who is highly-regarded for his ability to motivate younger players, helped lead the 12U Body Armor Titans to first place in a 104-team tournament in Cooperstown during August 2017.
“We have a great group of guys here,” said Anderson. “They all come from good families and they all have a competitive side to them,” he added.
The biggest reason to believe they will be title contenders is their pitching staff. They are returning CHSAA Pitcher of the Year, Carlos Hidalgo. The St. John’s-commit is a flame-throwing right-handed pitcher that takes no prisoners and will be tough to beat for any team for the next two seasons. He fired a 4-hit CG shutout over St. Anthony’s to advance in the postseason last year. Co-ace Johnny Flannigan is tough as nails, and is unfazed by any situation. For our dedicated followers, you may remember this game, where he was sent in to face E.J. Exposito in the 7th inning and struck out the talented SS.
St. Dom’s holds off St. Anthony’s 1-0. Carlos Hidalgo throws a CG 4 hit shutout pic.twitter.com/iO2jKlCozu
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 21, 2018
He also mentioned Teddy Brennan and Dylan Bruno as two 11th grade pitchers that will compete to round out the rotation.
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
As far as the offense, they will be counting on the uber-talented Sean Lane. The Notre Dame-commit is as good of a 10th grade bat as you can possibly see.
“You just do not see that type of bat speed from a sophomore,” said Anderson. He was a force in the lineup as a freshman and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be once again. “I can see what Notre Dame sees,” he said. He will man the hot corner for the Bayhawks.
Boston College-commit Mikey Florides is their starting SS. Coming off an injury-shortened 2018, he is back to 100% and is one of the top defensive SS on the island.
Hidalgo will also hit in the middle-of-the-order, as he did last year. With a small school enrollment, they are inclined to have all their pitchers contribute with the bat. Fortunately for them, they have all-around athletes. Hidalgo was already an impact hitter/pitcher for them during his freshman season.
They will play some great teams during their scrimmages, beginning with Calhoun and then Archbishop Molloy and St. Francis Prep.
My prediction is a St. Dominic-St. Anthony’s Championship Sunday at Hofstra University.
