Yesterday was Game 1 of the Nassau County semifinals for each Conference. I won’t say it was filled with thrilling games (because three of them were run-rules), but it was certainly filled with outstanding individual performances.
I bounced around like a mad man from Massapequa to Island Trees to Division. It took until my third stop to find a competitive game so I’m thankful I continued to search.
Here’s a breakdown of each:
Massapequa 10, Oceanside 0
Carter DeSousa with a walk-off single as Massapequa wins via run-rule 10-0 over Oceanside in Game 1 of the Nassau Conference I semifinals. They’ll be back at it tomorrow for Game 2 pic.twitter.com/zbgu3SYQlc
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 12, 2021
This one was over in the first inning when Massapequa knocked out Oceanside starter Johnny Rosano after he got one out. The Chiefs have a relentless offense and they can beat you in a number of ways. While Oceanside may have focused on preventing Vin Mallon and Bobby Stang from beating them, Jordan DeStefano and Mike Vilardi (3-for-3, three RBIs) stepped up in a big way. It doesn’t hurt that they had ace LHP Liam Carroll on the mound who struck out six over three shutout innings. They had hard-throwing junior Matt Hannon relieve him and he ended one jam with a pick off at second base. The Chiefs will look to close out the series and advance to the finals today.
Clarke 17, Island Trees 0
Sean Welsh again ! This time a grand slam opens up a 7-0 lead for Clarke in the second inning 😧 pic.twitter.com/f3F3H3hWid
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 12, 2021
This one made no sense. These teams were evenly matched all season and Island Trees even beat Tyler Cox on May 20. This one was also over by the second inning. Sean Welsh was a man among boys and potentially had the best high school performance I’ve ever seen. He hit a two-run HR in the first inning, a grand slam in the second inning and another one in the fourth inning. All told, 3-for-3, 3 HR, 10 RBI. Simply mind-boggling. Cox continued his outstanding season as well – throwing 3.2 shutout innings and hitting his ninth HR of the season. Clarke will now face Seaford, with the loser facing Island Trees and the winner advancing to the Conference Championship.
Manhasset 10, Division 6
Teddy Mouhlas comes through with a 2-strike, 2-out, 2-R single and Manhasset has come storming back to take a 7-6 lead pic.twitter.com/4LLg7TYIso
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 12, 2021
For five innings, Manhasset looked dead. Division ace Mike Knapp was in control and the Indians’ defense had committed five errors including a critical three-run error that opened up a 5-1 lead in the third. It looked like it was over – but then the sixth inning happened. Trailing 6-2, the Indians rose from the dead. A wild pitch with the bases loaded made it 6-3 and catcher Mikey Brunetti stayed hot with a two-run single through the box to make it 6-5. Teddy Mouhlas followed that with a clutch, two-strike opposite field single through the left side to give them the lead. After that, they did not look back. They added some insurance runs and Andrew Moy was lights-out in relief, firing the sixth and the seventh innings with five strikeouts. Moy provided the steady relief that Manhasset needed. It is no easy task pitching in front of that Division hostile crowd – they are not there to see the visiting team succeed. The Manhasset offense notched 13 hits – led by Patrick Jarvis‘ three hits, but Andrew Flood, Teddy Mouhlas and Dean Sheridan each had two. Brunetti had the big two-run hit and was also hit by two pitches. They will be back at it today.
