Colin Rhein took a no-hitter into the 7th inning with 2 outs before a bloop single by Charles Hardwick ended it. He still finished with a 2-hit shutout to get Lindenhurst within 1 win of the postseason. He’s our @BsbLifestyle101 Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/s0PfgjzHWI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 14, 2019
Colin Rhein claims he didn’t know he had a no-hitter going. Not going into the seventh inning and not even after he got the first two outs. It’s probably good considering the no-hit bit ended in the most unique fashion as he struck out the batter but a dropped third strike allowed him to reach first base safely. After a clean single to center broke up the no-hitter and a second hit threatened to end the shutout, center fielder JC Canobbio fired a strike to home plate to nail the tying run and preserve the 1-0 victory for Lindenhurst over a red-hot Walt Whitman.
The victory was huge for the Bulldogs, who entered the game needing two wins this week to qualify for a postseason berth. They now need just one win in the final two to punch their ticket.
Rhein spoke about his focus on getting his team into the tournament.
“Get the last out and get us one win away from the playoffs,” said the sophomore right-handed pitcher.
He was able to do just that with the help of his teammates. Rhein used a steady diet of breaking balls to cruise through the first six innings, allowing just two walks–both coming in the second inning. He retired the next 15 batters in a row, with only one close play which came on a ground out to third base that was a bang-bang play.
Aside from that, Rhein kept Whitman’s lineup in check. They have been one of the pleasant surprised this season in Suffolk County AA. They just scored 26 runs off first place Commack in a shocking sweep last week.
The Bulldogs lone run came in the top of the sixth inning on an unearned run. Whitman’s RHP Charles Hardwick was outstanding as well, cruising through five shutout innings. After allowing a bloop single to lead off batter Steve Scheurmann, a sac bunt attempt back to Hardwick ended with Scheurmann scoring on an errant throw. Hardwick was able to retire the next batter and induce an inning-ending double play.
With the victory, the Bulldogs are on the precipice of a postseason berth. These two teams will be back in action tomorrow.
