by Aaron Rothschild
Walk Off double completes the comeback for the Long Island Storm! Great finish 8-7 win. @EcybTournaments pic.twitter.com/trRXlSNcYQ
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 13, 2021
When I woke up this morning to see a 10u baseball game I was expecting to see some fun, talented kids who were looking forward to playing some ball. But my words cannot do justice to just how impressed I was with both the level of play and coaching on both sides of the game between the Junior Ducks and the Long Island Storm.
This morning at Plainedge Park the Long Island Storm pulled off an impressive comeback capped off by an exciting walk-off double.
PJ Dwyer took the mound for the Long Island Storm and got off to a bit of a rocky start, after walking the leadoff batter, and a single right after, A. Russo stepped to the plate and lined an RBI double into right center field. A fielder’s choice and another hit by pitch would lead to a double knocking in a couple more runs resulting in a 4-0 lead for the Junior Ducks after half an inning.
A lead off walk for the Storm followed by a steal of second would be soon followed by a ground ball to short, would be overthrown and Charlie Troia would cross the plate for the first run for the Storm, after one, the score 4-1 Junior Ducks.
In the top of the second Dwyer would garner a 1-2-3 inning.
After a single to left that runner would be quickly erased due to a great throw by the Ducks catcher down to second for a caught stealing. A two-out error by the Ducks third baseman and an error would load the bases. A ground ball error by Duck pitcher Travis Rochelle would cut the deficit to 4-2 at the end of the second.
The top of the third started with a diving catch by Storm shortstop Charlie Troia, but a triple to right off the bat of G. Porter followed by an RBI single by A.Russo would extend the lead to 5-2 Junior Ducks. Dwyer would then once again find his rhythm and close the top of the third.
In the bottom half of the frame 2 singles would give John Paul Mangieri would get an RBI infield single, but after a mix up at second base the lead runner would be tagged out to end the inning. Controversy whether or not the man on third actually scored would be ruled a run making the score 5-3 Junior Ducks halfway through the game.
Dwyer, who would continue to battle would come out for the top of the fourth pitching to contact, inducing 3 consecutive ground ball outs.
In the bottom of the fourth, a single to center by Kasey Koslowski followed by a beautiful sac bunt would lead to Demetri Zerilli ripping an RBI single to right, once again chipping into the lead making it a one run game. The Junior Ducks would make a pitching change putting in M. Scortichini who would get out of the jam and keep the lead heading into the fifth.
After a leadoff walk J. Petty would step to the plate and rip a triple to the fence in right. An overthrow would allow him to score and two runs would come in extending the lead to 7-4. A pitching change for the Storm would bring in Demetri Zerilli and he would get through the remainder of the frame.
In the bottom of the fifth a hit by pitch and a walk would lead to a pitching change for the Junior Ducks as they would put in Derek Koleman. He would strikeout the first two batters he faced but an infield single by Mangieri would drive in another run, 7-5 Junior Ducks heading into the sixth.
Zerilli would get around some trouble in the top of the sixth after a nice play in center field.
This is where the Storm showed that they really had no quit in them.
A single and a walk would be followed by a double steal setting the table for a big inning. Back-to-back strikeouts would bring up the top of the order. Another walk would load the bases, and an RBI hit by pitch would make it a one run game with the bases still loaded. Koleman would walk in the game tying run when Justin Murray stepped to the plate with two-outs and the winning run on third. Murray would precede to crush a walk-off double down the left field line and the celebration to follow was filled with just as much excitement as you would expect.
A great showing of heart and resilience would result in the 8-7 win for the Storm.
