Chris Rimaldi ties the game with a 2-R triple (although it appeared to bounce off the school bus which should’ve been called a home run) pic.twitter.com/WXzRPzRy1V
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 17, 2021
by Joseph Curto
On a warm and sunny day in Mineola, we saw two battle tested Nassau High school teams face off in a seesaw affair.
The undefeated Bethpage Golden Eagles took on the home team Mineola Mustangs. The game featured two hard throwing righties as Bethpage gave the ball to Joe Lynn, and TJ Cox got the start for the Mustangs.
In the top of the first inning, Bethpage jumped out to an early 2 run lead. Leadoff hitter Conner Burns started off the game with a hard hit single to left. After Burns stole second, he was brought home on an RBI single from Adelphi commit Phil D’Aguanno. Two batters later James Martin brought in D’Aguanno after grounding into a fielder’s choice.
The game would remain that way till the bottom of the third when Mineola’s leadoff man Jack Ryan connected with his second double of the afternoon to bring a run in. On the very next at bat, second baseman Zack Bongiovanni blasted a two-run shot over the left field fence to give the Mustangs a one run lead at 3-2.
During the bottom of the 4th, Junior third baseman Conor Martin reached base on a single up the middle. After stealing 2nd and 3rd base, he was brought home on a costly miscommunication from the middle infielders on a throw down to second base. With Martin’s run, Mineola had a convincing 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, Bethpage pulled Lynn and put in big senior first baseman Nick Schimmel to pitch. On the very first pitch from Schimmel, Blake Bastos connected for a solo home run that cleared the left field fence. Schimmel who worked himself into a jam was able to wiggle out of it and leave the bases loaded with minimal damage.
In the top of the 6th inning, Bethpage was able to show us why they were undefeated thus far and had a massive inning. James Martin drilled an RBI triple to center to give the Golden Eagles the first run of the inning. Two batters later Chris Rimaldi launched what appeared to be a two run home run over the left field fence however the umpires called it back as they believed the ball hit the top of the left field fence. Rimaldi settled for a two run triple, but he was quickly brought home by a clutch RBI single from Nick Schimmel to give Bethpage the lead. Bethpage’s offense had Mineola against the wall, after a bases loaded balk brought in Schimmel, the Golden Eagles left the remaining runners on, but not before taking a two-run lead.
The big inning proved to be enough for Bethpage as they were able to hold on to get the come from behind win.
Nick Schimmel was credited with the win, and TJ Cox suffered the loss for Mineola.
The two teams return to face each other again tomorrow at Bethpage. The Golden Eagles will look to continue their great start as they are now 5-0.
