Dylan Beirne throws a complete game and seals the deal as the Bandits are the 2020 12U National Brian Moore Memorial Tournament Champions! What an incredible championship Sunday game. pic.twitter.com/AJAcFQmc8u
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 19, 2020
By Salvatore D’Onofrio
This afternoon’s championship matchup between the Oil City Bandits and the Long Island Titans did not disappoint. In a back-and-forth game, the Bandits came out on top 6-5 behind a great pitching performance from Dylan Beirne and timely hits for the Bandits.
On this hot afternoon at Burns Park in Massapequa, both teams started the game strong. The Bandits and the Titans had to win 2 games this morning to advance to the championship game. This is difficult for any team to play 3 games in one day but with the heat, it made it even more challenging. The Titans defeated the East Coast Cannons and the Long Island Pride. As for the Bandits, they defeated the Rebels Baseball and Long Island Storm Blue by a combined 24 runs.
“It’s been a long day,” Coach Tommy Beirne said after the game. “We’ve been here since about 7:45 this morning so this victory right now is feeling pretty good,” Beirne said.
This matchup featured Dylan Beirne on the mound for Bandits and Sean Brown for the Titans. Both pitchers faced early problems in the first inning, but managed to limit the damage.
Danny Varuolo led off the game for the Titans with a base hit followed by another base hit from Grant Olsen. The Titans put the pressure on the Bandit defense as Olsen stole second while it was first and third. Varuolo was able to get a great jump off the throw to second and scored to take a 1-0 lead. The Titans kept the pressure on by an RBI double scorched by Micheal DiOrio to extend the lead 2-0. Beirne limited the damage by striking out the final batter of the inning with runners on second and third.
Brown walked the first two batters that he faced. After a stolen base by Joe Geraci and Anthony Landolphi, this put the Bandits in a perfect position to strike back. Preston Kirchner worked a long at bat, fought off tough pitches and was able to give his team a chance by putting the ball in play to the shortstop. A throwing error by the shortstop cut the Bandit deficit 2-1. Brown was also able to strand two runners in scoring position as he struck out Danny Pignataro to end the first inning.
A 1-2-3 top of the second inning gave the Bandits motivation as they were fired up running off the field. Dylan Beirne was able to help himself by getting a one out base knock to start the rally. A stolen base by Beirne and a balk by Brown, the Bandits were in a position to strike. Mike Scotto came to the plate with two outs and came up with a clutch base-hit to right field to tie the game at 2-2. Brian Gilmartin followed Scotto’s lead with an RBI hit to take the lead 3-2. Left-hander Michael DiOrio came in to close the door in the second for the Titans.
The Titans needed an answer in the third. After a strikeout to lead off the inning, Olsen led the charge with a double to center field. A misplay by the center fielder allowed Olsen to advance to third and then score on an RBI single by Surduch. DiOrio came to bat and needed to help himself and come through for his team.
He did just that.
DiOrio hit a laser through the infield that rolled all the way to the wall. This allowed DiOrio to come around all the bases and hit a two-run home run. After another base-hit for the Titans by Nikolas Infante, the Bandits needed someone to make a big play. This big play was made by first-baseman Steven Misrok, catching a line drive down the line and doubling up Infante at first.
The back-and-forth action between these two teams intensified in the bottom of the third inning. With one out and runners on second and third, Danny Pignataro hit a slow-rolling ball back to Beirne, but the hustle from Anthony Landolphi at third allowed him to score to cut the lead 5-4. In a bases-loaded jam, first-baseman Surdich made a game saving scoop to hold the lead for the Titans.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the bats came out hot for the Bandits. Following two singles to start the inning and a wild pitch, the Bandits were in prime position to make another dent in the lead. Aggressive baserunning by Gilmartin allowed him to steal home on close play and tied the game at 5-5. Joe Geraci shortened up his swing with two strikes and was able to drive in another Bandit with a fielder’s choice ground ball to first-base.
This is all Beirne and his defense needed.
Coach Tommy Beirne on his team being champions! pic.twitter.com/VYNAakzdBq
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 19, 2020
In the top of the fifth inning, shortstop Jack Regan flashed his leather. Regan recorded all three outs for the Bandits by making two incredible plays on ground-balls and a fly ball that was in shallow left field.
After a short bottom of the fifth for the Bandit bats, the Bandits took the field again only needing three outs for their championship aspirations.
Beirne recorded the first out of the inning by striking out Infante. After the strike-out, Regan was able to show off his glove again by recording the final two outs to seal the championship victory for the Bandits.
After the game, manager Tommy Beirne could not be more proud for his team and for his son. Manager Beirne said, “These boys, I got to take my hats off… they fought through it all right now.” The manager went on to say, “They hit the ball, they played the field and now they’re champs.”
An incredible back and forth matchup between two highly respected teams. A perfect ending to the 12U National Brian Moore Memorial Tournament. This tournament honors the late Long Island native Brian Moore, who was a highly respected and decorated NYPD officer that lost his life on duty. A great tournament for an even better purpose.
