by James Ryder
The 10u East Meadow Mustangs and the Plainview Hawks played at Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park Sunday at 9 AM. The Hawks had control in the beginning of the game by playing great infield defense and scoring four unanswered runs in two innings. The Mustangs found their stride in third inning, though, when they tied up the game shortly before scoring the last nine runs of the game in the fourth and fifth innings. East Meadow’s offensive stampede was cut short when the game was called due to time limit, resulting in a 13-5 finish.
Despite going scoreless in the final inning, Plainview had showed nice consistency at the plate by scoring at least once in three of the other four innings. In the top of the first inning, seven Hawks entered the box and two came home to score. Andrew Cucuzza led off with a walk and was brought in on Noah Gross’ RBI single to left-center field. With the bases loaded, Tyghe Rowland reached first on a fielder’s choice ground ball and got the RBI to make it 2-0 Plainview. They then scored two more runs in the second inning. Another RBI single, this time from Devin Michaels who shot one into center field, followed by a throwing error by the Mustangs pitcher into the outfield on a ground ball put the Hawks up 4-0.
In the bottom of the third, despite having two outs against them, the Mustangs finally scored some runs and even tied the game. Ryan Jacobs, who came to bat with the bases juiced, hit a bases clearing triple down the LF line. The throw home rolled into the dugout, allowing Jacobs to come home and tie the game at 4-4. Despite this huge hit, the Hawks weren’t fazed, as they answered right back to open up the fourth inning. Haruto Kunioka lined a ball into right field to bring home Aidan Kwarta to take the lead back 5-4.
Perhaps, having been inspired by their hitting in the third, East Meadow kept rolling to take the lead in the fourth, and they never came close to relinquishing it. After loading the bases once again, Dominick Longardino hit an RBI single to LF to tie it. He was succeeded by Sean Schettino, who drew a walk, and Sebastian Campbell, who hit an RBI grounder to third to go up 7-5. Two more walks brought their lead to 8-5.
Here is Coach Matt and player Dominick Longardino (2 RBI, 3 innings pitched) commenting on their comeback: pic.twitter.com/ZmFN42iRzm
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 4, 2019
Somehow, the Mustangs managed to one-up themselves in the bottom of the fifth by scoring another five runs. They continued to get on base with more plate discipline and raking in the box. Jacobs and Nick Schwabe started the inning with back to back walks before both crossing the plate on a 2-RBI double from Matt Amy. Longardino made a ball one hop over the fence for a RBI ground-rule double, while Eli Gilkey grounded one hard enough to eat up the shortstop and get 2 RBIs himself. Upon this play, the clock struck 10:50, so the game was ended.
Longardino, arguably the Mustangs best performer Sunday, additionally pitched in relief, going three innings of 1 run ball to go along with his 2 hit 2 RBI day. Clearly, he was a big factor in their comeback victory. Final Score: East Meadow 13, Plainview 5.
