Randall Alejo was lights-out in Pat-Med’s 1-0 victory. He did not factor in the decision but fired 7 shutout innings as the Raiders clinch a postseason berth. He’s our @BsbLifestyle101 Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/mPcIn3KAen
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 8, 2019
Big-time pitchers have the ability to execute pitches to get out of jams. Inning-after-inning that’s what we saw from both Pat-Med RHP Randall Alejo (St. Rose-commit) and Longwood LHP Steven Murphy (Adelphi-commit).
Both starting pitchers exited with the score tied 0-0, but Murphy left with a runner on first in the ninth inning following a lead off walk to Tyler Miller.An E5 called for an obvious bunting situation. When Pat-Med’s No. 5 hitter Phil Gerard dropped down a bunt and the attempt to catch the lead runner at third went awry, Tyler Miller scored the game’s only run punching Pat-Med’s ticket to the postseason after a one-year hiatus.
Neither team had many opportunities in this game.
Longwood’s best chance came in the top of the seventh inning after the leadoff batter was retired for Alejo’s ninth strikeout. A one out-single and stolen base put the potential go-ahead run in scoring position. A hit by pitcher brought up leadoff batter and U.S. Naval Academy-commit Kyle Rausch. The center fielder reached on an error by the shortstop to load up the bases with one out.
The Lions possess arguably the most dynamic 1 through 4 in Suffolk County, right on par with Commack and Connetquot. It has allowed them to become one of the top teams for the past two seasons. On this day, though, Alejo was able to keep them at bay. With the bases loaded and one out, Alejo reached back and struck out Matt Encizo on a high fastball for his 10th and final strikeout of the day. This sent up Jose Matos, the No. 3 hitter and Adelphi-commit. Matos fouled off four consecutive pitches on a 3-2 count before rolling one over to shortstop that was the third and final out of the inning.
That was Alejo’s 108th pitch, forcing Pat-Med Head Coach into making a pitching change. He called on Gio Cocchiaro to hold down the fort. He was dominant as well, retiring all six batters that he faced over the eighth and ninth innings.
Murphy was terrific in this game, but after walking the leadoff batter in the ninth that came around to score, he was tagged with the ultimate tough-luck loss.
Credit to Pat-Med for punching their ticket to the postseason following a disappointing 2018 campaign. They have been led by Alejo and a terrific pitching staff. These teams will close out their series today at Pat-Med. Longwood is 11-6 and looking to gain momentum heading into the postseason.
