This game couldn’t have gone much better for the Long Island Junior Ducks from start-to-finish.
Led by Tom Caputo, the Ducks were firing on all cylinders in their 9-0 run-rule victory over the Commack South Diamonds. Starting pitcher John Rizzo was on his ‘A’ game, allowing just a first inning single in a one-hitter with seven strikeouts. The only other blemish was three hit batsmen but he never allowed the runners to get into scoring position.
“Really just attacked the hitters with my fastball,” said Rizzo. “Pitching to my defense and letting them make plays,” he added.
Facing off against New Haven-commit Kyle Allen, the Junior Ducks had a tall order but they were up to the challenge in the Finals. They got out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single, added another on a wild pitch in the second inning before pouring on five runs in the third inning which really put the game away.
“We were attacking good pitches and executing,” he said in regards to their offensive output.
KJ Flores and Tony Gelabert both delivered two-run singles, and Gelabert came around to score when he stole second and scored on the overthrow by the catcher. It was that type of day for the Ducks, who have a deep lineup from top-to-bottom.
Needing one run to put the run-rule in effect, they came away with two runs in the fifth on an unearned run and an RBI single by Billy McKinney.
With the victory, the Junior Ducks continue an outstanding 2019 season
