by Jared Valluzzi
Ryan Miller throws a complete game shutout as EastEnd survives and advances with the big victory. pic.twitter.com/y0JIeAgf9y
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 1, 2020
The 18U/17U Varsity Division on Long Island features a lot of talent and the playoffs just started to get underway. East End Aviators snuck into the playoffs as the number 15 seed. While the LI Jr Ducks got the number 2 seed and have been one of the best teams on Long Island. East End came into the game with just 3 wins but they believed fundamental baseball would really help them in this game against a team they lost to twice in the regular season. The Ducks came into the game with 11 wins on the year and proved to be one of the league’s top offenses and looked to continue that today.
For the LI Jr Ducks it was Preston Genera taking the mound. Just a 2022, Genera from Longwood high school is one of the many pitchers the Ducks have in order to make a deep run in the playoffs. It was a rocky start though for Genera walking the first batter which was followed by a sacrifice bunt to put lead off hitter Ryan Miller in scoring position. Number three hitter Jack Halloran would hit a shot into the gap, leading Miller to cross home and the Aviators took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Genera followed up though with a strikeout and his catcher Ryan Thompson who was terrific all day threw out a runner.
The Jr Ducks were up to bat in the bottom of the first but the show put on by the East End fielders would just start to begin. It was 3 up 3 down with a couple hard hit balls that the Aviator fielders made plays on. We’d see this as a common theme throughout the game for these fielders on East End. In the top of the second East End tried hard to move runners but it resulted in getting picked off and thrown out during the second inning. In the bottom of the second it was the Nate Demonak show at second base. Making a nice play on a hard hit grounder, as well as making an amazing catch having to go up get it
In the top of the third Genera walked one and hit another batter but it wouldn’t matter in the end. He recorded two strikeouts in the inning throwing some great pitches as well his field behind him staying steady.
Ryan Miller, the crafty left hander, was on the mound for East End for the game. Miller kept the Ducks hitters guessing and had the ball stay in the infield for most of the game. Bottom of third was exactly the case, recording one strikeout and letting his defense do the rest. The Ducks defense was almost just as good as it was 3 up 3 down in the top of the 4th. In the bottom half of the inning it was just like the top of the inning having the three batters all retired this time by Ryan Miller.
Miller gets a big strikeout and EastEnd leads 1-0 now batting in the top of the 7th pic.twitter.com/RmsZv52ydU
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 1, 2020
In the fifth and sixth inning it was much of the same for both teams throughout this game. The defense continued to shine for both squads in this one. Jack Halloran and Chase Combell in particular for East End really showed up making some great plays. The infield for the Ducks as well played great as 3rd baseman John Rizzo stood out.
In the top of the seventh it was still a 1-0 lead for East End but in their last opportunity to bat they looked to extend the lead. In relief for the Ducks was Matt Hynes as he came into the game with two men on base already. The Aviators would eventually load up the bases with two outs left in the inning before Hynes struck out the last batter of the inning with a great inside pitch.
In the bottom of the seventh it was the Ducks last chance to tie this game up. But Ryan Miller and this talented East End defense refused to allow a run. Jack Halloran had a nice catch to end the game and Ryan Miller completed the full game shutout and of course his fielders were a big part of it. Miller said “My field was pretty big today, not too many strikeouts but my field had balls hard hit to them and made the plays”. East End Aviators capture the big upset victory over the LI Jr Ducks in a thrilling 1-0 victory. East End will now take on the LI Titans-Lorusso in the second round of the playoffs.
