Sean Kennedy talks about how he worked out of crucial jams on the mound & what this win means heading into next week. pic.twitter.com/K32yvvdXGp
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 25, 2019
East Meadow came through when it mattered most on Thursday afternoon, defeating Port Washington by a score of 3-2.
On the verge of getting swept, East Meadow sent Sean Kennedy to the mound in game three and he delivered. Kennedy finished the game going the distance, allowing two earned runs, seven hits and struck out three batters.
“My stuff in the beginning was a little off, but I was able to battle through it. I trusted my defense and they made every play, we were able to have a couple big innings,” said Kennedy.
Scoreless after the first two innings, it was East Meadow’s bats that woke up first in the bottom of the third.
With men on first and third, Dylan Pohl delivered a sacrifice fly, providing East Meadow with an early 1-0 lead. A few batters later, Dylan McDonnell stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. After working the count full, McDonell forced in a run on the walk, extending the Jets lead to 2-0.
If East Meadow has learned one thing all series, it’s that Port Washington can string together hits at any given time.
After surrendering two runs in the third, the Vikings answered quickly. With the top of the lineup due up in the fourth, they delivered. Aaron Klug ripped an infield single up the middle, cutting the deficit to one.
In the bottom of the fourth, Tom Burrows was able to work out of a jam for Port Washington, giving them a chance to tie the ballgame. Fast forward to the top of the fifth, and Jackson Sattinger did just that. He drove an RBI up the middle, tying the game at 2-2.
With Burrows coming out of the game, East Meadow wasted no time capitalizing on this opportunity. In a one-out, bases loaded opportunity, Rob Wakely delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly, providing East Meadow with a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth.
From this point forward, Kennedy shined on the mound.
Port Washington threatened in the top of the sixth, but would leave the tying run on third. Kennedy went back out for the seventh and forced a 1-2-3 inning, securing the victory.
“I was able to get out of jams, trust everybody and got the win. Huge win going into Plainview next week,” said Kennedy.
With the victory, East Meadow improves to 7-2 on the season. Port Washington falls to 7-2 with the loss, as they play an undefeated Hicksville team next week. Both teams have a real shot to win their conference title.
