by Ethan Marshall
The PYA Legends overcame a three-run deficit to defeat the Kings Park Knights, 11-6, in five innings at Plainedge Field. An eight-run third inning capped off the Legends’ comeback, with the dagger coming on a two-run triple by Andrew Blake. Throughout the frame, the Legends put together competitive at-bats, took advantage of the Knights’ mistakes and were aggressive on the bases.
According to Legends head coach Tim Workman, the team feels they are never out of any game, including this one. “We’re never in a panic, we never sit back or worry because the team consistently battles back,” Coach Workman said. “It’s something that we’re known for and the kids are very comfortable battling from behind.”
The Knights jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to RBI singles by Frankie Boffolino and Connor Cocco and a RBI ground out from Andrew Soto. The Legends made their first attempt at a comeback in the bottom of the second. After a one-out double and stolen base by Jake Wilbur, Kento Cavallo brought him home with a RBI ground out. Then Andrew Blake tripled and scored on a wild pitch, cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, Knights starting pitcher Charlie Pace was able to strand the tying and go-ahead runners in scoring position with a key strikeout to end the inning.
In the top of the third, the Knights got those two runs back thanks to a RBI ground out by Connor DeKenipp and Connor Cocco scoring from third on a wild pitch, making it 5-2 Knights.
Joe Divoto sparked a rally for the Legends in the bottom of the third. After a lead off walk, he advanced to second on a wild pick off throw, then stole third and scored on a wild throw by the catcher attempting to throw him out on the stolen base. Teddy Gerstein followed with a walk and stolen base before Matthew Sheps singled and stole a base. The Knights finally retired a batter when Russell Schwartz hit a sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 5-4. After Murray Abrahams walked and stole second, the wheels fell off for the Knights, as back-to-back wild pitches brought home the tying and go-ahead runs, making it 6-5 Legends. Jake Wilbur and Kento Cavallo kept the rally going with back-to-back walks, then both scored on Andrew Blake’s second triple of the game.
While it looked like Blake may have had a chance to turn the triple into an inside-the park-home-run, Coach Workman held him at third. “I think they would’ve nailed him had we tried [sending him],” Coach Workman said while laughing. According to Blake, he was hoping to get the green light, and he thought he might’ve made it. However, he seemed to be running out of gas while rounding second, and the point became moot when the next batter, Luke Maute singled him home. Maute then showed his aggressiveness on the bases when after stealing second and seeing Charlie Byers walk, he started breaking for third just before a bunt by Frank Parziale. As soon as the throw went to first base for the out, Maute broke for home and managed to beat the throw, putting the Legends ahead 10-5.
Legends head coach Tim Workman on his team’s victory. pic.twitter.com/2eqUwKQoFO
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 15, 2019
The teams exchanged runs on a Murray Abrahams RBI single in the bottom of the fourth and Frankie Boffolino scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth.
