Our @DigmiNation Player of the Game is winning pitcher Ryan Foran who pitched 6.1 solid innings allowing only 2 runs with eight strikeouts #TipYourCap pic.twitter.com/qtYtzP6MwM
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 30, 2018
Despite getting off to an undefeated start at 11-0, Hills West is still looking to clinch League 5. They had an opportunity to separate themselves from second-place Eastport-South Manor today, but the Sharks were led by a strong pitching outing by ace Ryan Foran and a sixth inning rally to defeat them, 5-3.
The Sharks got off out a fast start. Consecutive doubles by Mike McCormick and Angelo Montalbano gave them a quick 1-0 lead just two batters into the game. After a strikeout, Foran helped himself with an RBI double of his own.
At Hills West’s field, the lack of fence plays a crucial factor. Of those three doubles, at least two of them would’ve been a home run had their been traditional dimensions. Later in the game, another fly ball would’ve been a third long ball.
Nick Hatzis, starting pitcher for Hills West, eluded further trouble with a comebacker and an infield pop out.
Foran was lights-out in the first inning with two strikeouts, showcasing his dynamic 12-6 curveball on the second punch out.
Hatzis threw up a zero in the second and his offense went to work on Foran in the second inning.
A leadoff walk to freshman cleanup hitter Mike Freda and a single by Aidan Tornquist to center and a single by Joe McDonald off Foran’s foot put the go-ahead run in scoring position. Doug Lattuca made it hurt with a two-run single to left field to give Hills West a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the fifth, ESM tied it back up when leadoff hitter Mike McCormick hit a one-out single and Montalbano ripped a single to left field but it was misplayed by the outfielder which allowed McCormick to come around and score and even the score 2-2.
The Sharks offense mounted another rally in the top of the sixth inning. A leadoff walk to Dylan Peck and back-to-back singles loaded the bases with nobody out. Connor Trace took a 3-2 pitch outside for ball four to bring in the go-ahead run. McCormick extended the lead with a single to right field to increase the lead to 4-2.
Foran got through the sixth inning without incident and the Sharks added another run in the seventh on an RBI single to right field by Anthony Simone to extend the lead to 5-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, Foran retired the first batter before hitting his pitch limit and getting taken out. The reliever, Adam Burk, recorded one out but allowed an RBI single to and was taken out in favor of Alex Doskoez.
With the tying run at the plate, Doskoez fanned the freshman Freda to retire the side.
With the victory, the Sharks improve to 10-4 on the season to keep pace with Deer Park, and they both move within two games of Hills West.
Foran improves to a Long Island-leading 6-0 to begin the season on the eve of May. With a postseason already clinched, 10 victories is a possibility for the St. Joseph’s-commit.
