by Lou Accumanno
In a close 17U Division battle; NexGen Elite couldn’t get on the board against a tough Diamond Spikes staff. Coach Adam Heidenfielder made five pitching changes in the game for the Spikes and managed to maintain their one-run lead throughout the game against NexGen Elite.
Coach Heidenfielder said, “It was a special occasion. I wanted to rotate guys in and of the out bullpen, so they can stay hot for the MSI Blue Chips Showcase this week.”
In the first inning Justin Classie was on the hill for the Spikes and set the tone for the rest of the pitchers as he recorded three strikeouts to retire the side.
When Classie struck out the side, Heidenfielder replaced him with David Safirstein who managed to do the same in the second inning and third inning.
In the fourth, Heidenfielder decided to keep rotating pitchers as Danny Cardito took the mound for the Spikes and kept the heat coming not only on the mound, but up at bat too. Cardito struck out two batters and recorded a run himself from Steve Scheruman’s double that gave the Spikes a one nothing lead.
After Scheruman’s hit in the fourth it was his time to get his throws in on the mound at the fifth. He struggled early as he walked the first two batters but managed to strikeout three batters in a row to get himself right out of a jam to keep the teams lead.
Scheruman was kept on the mound for the fifth and sixth inning and continued to shutout NexGen Elite with the help from the infielders Danny Green and David Safirstein who recorded a double play to keep the opposing team scoreless.
The final pitching rotation was made at the seventh as Elvis Zavala finished the game for the Spikes. He walked his first batter but managed to get him out as he tried to steal for second. Patrick Quinn was up to bat for NexGen Elite and recorded a single, putting the pressure on Zavala. Quin decided to steal for second base and got their safe as Zavala knew their was still two outs to go in the game.
Shane Hewlette, had the opportunity to send in the potential game tying run, but failed as he popped up the ball straight to center field. Center fielder for the Spikes, Matt DiSanti recorded the out and also caught Quinn too far off second base and threw it in just in time to record the final out of the game.
Heindenfielder said, “I put my trust in everyone either on the mound or out in the field. Everyone doesn’t panic and we get the job done.”
The Spikes recorded a total of 11 strikeouts during today’s matchup and now sit at a 13–6 record on the season as they look to continue their performance this week at the MSI Blue Chips Showcase.
