by Ethan Berch
That’s the game! 13-12 victory for the Merrick Mayhem over the LI Storm! pic.twitter.com/MAjLbJC18r
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 4, 2020
When you think of 9 year old baseball and games that are only 1 hour and 50 minutes, what do you think of off the bat? How about 15 total runs in just 5 innings! In the first game of a Labor Day Weekend tournament in the Boys of Summer, the Merrick Mayhem took on the Long Island Storm in an offensive showdown.
Kurt Rauschenbach got the start for Mayhem. The scoring started very early in this one when Lucas Pagnotta of the Storm ripped an RBI double to get them on the board 1-0. But without hesitation, Mayhem answered back with 4 runs in the bottom half of that inning off of LI Storm’s starting pitcher, Owen McCann. Hayden Tepper recorded 3 huge hits this game including an RBI double in that inning. Aggressive base running became a common theme for Mayhem as they were able to advance runners almost strictly on stolen bases and passed balls.
It didn’t take long for the Storm to answer back with runs. The top of the 2nd was a big one for the Storm and lightning stuck with Charlie Troia came up to the dish and ripped a laser beam over the right fielders head. Troia would round the bases with ease completing an inside-the-park home run. The Storm went back up 7-4.
Flash forward to the top of the 4th, the Storm needed yet another comeback after Mayhem put together 5 runs to make the score 9-8. Who else but Charlie Troia steps up to the dish with two ducks on the pond, and cranked a go ahead two-run double. The Storm would add on four runs that inning making it 12-8.
In the bottom of the fourth, this Mayhem team continued to take advantage of runners off of errors and miscues by the Storm’s defense. After an error to score a run, Hayden Trepper would step up again big with a triple to bring Mayhem within just a run. A walk and a couple wild pitches later, the Mayhem took a 13-12 lead. “Aggressiveness is our biggest thing, that is why we are called Mayhem, we never give up on the basepath” said the head coach of the Merrick Mayhem when asked if aggressive base running is something his team takes pride in.
The Merrick Mayhem would go on to win this game 13-12 in five innings due to the time limit. “It’s always good getting off on the right foot and getting these kids in the right direction.” The head coach for the Mayhem had that to say following today’s opening game victory in the Boys of Summer Labor Day Weekend tournament!
