It doesn’t get much better than 10 elimination games across Long Island to crown County Champions. Scratch that, it doesn’t get ANY better than that.
The games ranged from Sag Harbor to South Side, and the great majority of them were close. I wish I could be at all the games but that’s just not possible, so I took my best guess as to which game to cover. I started at Sachem East, stayed for a few innings and made the short drive to Selden for Newfield’s game. The decision worked out well as Commack got out to an early 4-1 lead then I went to a Newfield and the score was 0-0 in the second inning.
Here’s all the action.
Nassau III
South Side defeated Manhasset, 2-0, on the road behind a complete game, two-hit shutout by Danny Russell. This was a remarkable turn of events after Manhasset had won 8-7, in Game 1 of the series to win their 13th consecutive game and was looking for the sweep. South Side flipped the switch and won back-to-back elimination games. I was there on Thursday when TJ Maher put the team on his back, firing a complete game, hitting a grand slam and driving in five runs. They will face Newfield on Sunday at St. Joseph’s College beginning at 3pm. For Manhasset, it is certainly disappointing as they had their best team in years led by a dominant pitching staff but they come up just short. They finish the season 16-5.
Nassau IV:
Here’s the final out of the Bethpage victory to capture their first county championship since 1983 pic.twitter.com/skTtGBufZx
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 19, 2021
Bethpage defeated Plainedge, 2-1, behind a complete game gem by Conor Burns. The two runs scored on two sac flies by Zach Schnabel. It was also Schnabel who caught the final out in a collision with the left fielder but he appears to be okay now. Bethpage lost the first game of the series, 8-2, at home before bouncing back with two victories. They felt they could’ve competed for a state championship last year before the cancellation. This year’s team is just as talented and proved that. They will face East Islip on Sunday at Mitchel Field beginning at 2pm. Tyler Kregeloh pitched a great game for Plainedge, he had an amazing season.
Nassau V-A
Here’s the final out of the game for Island Trees – a strikeout by Vinny Giambona – to send them into the Long Island Championship pic.twitter.com/tlcB1bPIsj
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 18, 2021
In a remarkable turn of events, Island Trees defeated Clarke, 3-2, to capture the championship. Just last Saturday, Clarke won 17-0. Even the most ardent Island Trees supporter had to feel on edge about their chances. But they wound up winning three straight elimination games – including two against Clarke. Vinny Giambona had ices in his veins – pitching in relief on Thursday in the 8-3 win (escaping a jam when the lead was 5-3) and then throwing a complete game yesterday and striking out Tyler Cox to end the game. Michael Montevago had the go-ahead RBI single that was the difference. They will face Mount Sinai on Sunday at St. Joseph’s 11am. For Clarke, they seemed like a near-lock to win the Long Island Championship this season with their dynamite lineup and pitching staff but they come up just short. They had won 17-0 and 12-2 in back-to-back playoff games but the bats went cold after that.
Nassau V-B
Go-ahead grand slam for freshman Jordan Meirowitz (3-for-4) https://t.co/LYJrSFDq0Q pic.twitter.com/08epORNuWF
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 19, 2021
Wheatley overcame a 4-0 deficit to defeat Cold Spring Harbor, 11-5. The big knock came on a go-ahead grand slam by Jordan Meirowitz, they also got a three-run shot by Jason Tagios. They will face Pierson on Sunday at Mitchel Field at 5pm.
Suffolk I
Commack jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the second inning and never looked back. They cruised past Sachem East, 8-1, to capture their second County Championship in four season under Bryan Bonin. Matt Edwards allowed just one ER, he credited his defense for turning four DPs behind him – and Connor Pedersen made a highlight-reel play diving full-extension to his left and flipping the ball to second to start a 6-4-3 rally killing double play. The other big moment came in the next inning when there was bases loaded, 1 out for the dangerous Evan Fisher who has 6 HRs, but was jammed and Pedersen caught the ball and stepped on second to end the jam. That effectively took the life from the home crowd and Commack continued to add on runs. Commack improves to 17-3 on the season. They will face Massapequa in a rematch of the 2017 LIC at St. Joseph’s at 7pm. Had there been more days off it would’ve been interesting to see Rafe Schlesinger against this powerhouse lineup, but it did not work out that way.
Suffolk II
Huntington was playing in their first County Finals since 1965 and won their first since 1960! Kyle Colleluori was outstanding and hit a three-run HR to help himself. Chris Segreti also had three hits and a HR against Bay Shore who was looking to win their first title in 1945. It was Bay Shore HC Mike Herbst‘s last game as skipper of the team. Huntington will face Garden City in the Long Island Championship at Mitchel Field 11am. I had pinpointed Huntington as a potential breakout team this season due to their group of four-year varsity players that all play summer ball together and are all college-bound players. For Bay Shore, Jason Ambos hit a two-run HR and League MVP Coltrane Calloway had 4 hits to finish his career on a strong note.
Suffolk III
We covered the game, which you can read about here.
Suffolk IV
East Islip cruised past Harborfields, 14-3, thanks to Nick Rizzo‘s complete game gem. It was their first County Championship since 2006. They’ve won 8 games in a row leading into the Long Island Championship against Bethpage on Sunday at Mitchel Field 2pm. Ryan Ferremi went 2-for-3 with a HR and two-run double. Derek Burrell was 4-for-4 with three runs. Matt Torres hit a HR for Harborfields who finish 11-8.
Suffolk V
Mount Sinai defeated Shoreham-Wading River, 4-1, for their first County Championship since 2016. Danny Kellachan (5.2 IP) and Matt Galli (1.1) combined on the victory. Matt Galli’s two-run single gave them the lead in the third inning.
Suffolk VI
Pierson captures the Suffolk VI Championship with a 5-4 win over Southold – they will face Wheatley on Sunday in the Long Island Championship pic.twitter.com/EH0FQ8SHwJ
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 18, 2021
Pierson defeated Southold, 5-4, to capture the County Championship. Tucker Schiavoni hit a two-run triple. They will face Wheatley on Sunday at Mitchel Field at 5pm.
