by Nicholas Cipolla
Game 1:
Patrick Sanchez showed everyone his best Derek Jeter impersonation today, as he always seemed to come through in key moments during both games today
Game one of a double header between LIB Neptune and the East End Aviators seemed like it was going to be an all-out battle of the pitchers. As the game progressed, the higher the odds of a tie due to the two hour time limit got.
For the Aviators, Roy Hoffman was cruising for his first four innings of work. He only allowed 3 total base runners throughout four innings (two hits and a walk) and had three strikeouts to go with it. He also was getting some help from the Aviators defense as Hoffman was producing plenty of routine ground balls and fly balls for his fielders.
LIB Neptune had many opportunities to score but failed a few times in the early going. One opportunity of note was when Nick Font had a golden opportunity with two outs in the second inning as he stepped to the plate with runners on second and third. Font ripped a line drive that was caught by the third baseman to end the frame.
The Aviators also had a golden opportunity in the second inning, as they had runners on first and second with one out. Tyler Dirocco stepped to the plate and he hit a deep fly ball to left field. It looked like it had a chance to sneak over the fence. However, Jason Rodopoulos made a spectacular running catch just in front of the fence for the second out.
Starting pitcher Chris Antonelli struck out the next batter to get out of the inning. Antonelli had an impressive three innings of work, striking out six batters, walking only one, and only allowing three hits. Connor Vopel had four innings of great work as well, keeping the Aviators off the board the entire time he was on the mound.
In the bottom of the fifth with one out, Patrick Sanchez stepped up in a big situation as the idea of a tie didn’t seem too far fetched and LIB Neptune seemed to be out of the game offensively. Sanchez squared a pitch up that was left over the plate and he was able to get it over the fence in left field for a home run.
That was the only run LIB Neptune needed as Connor Vopel got six more outs and secured the 1-0 win.
Postgame interview with Patrick Sanchez of LIB Neptune pic.twitter.com/8LOCHlVH5x
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 8, 2021
Game 2:
Patrick Sanchez continues to be an offensive spark for LIB Neptune as he hits a RBI double to left center, knocking in Jaden Rivera to make it 1-0 Neptune in the top of the fourth. pic.twitter.com/6du0IPl8Bl
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 8, 2021
Once again, the trend seemed to be a tight game full of defensive plays and great pitching.
For the Aviators, Andy Wilcenski was able to keep LIB Neptune at bay through four innings. He got out of a bases loaded jam in the second inning when he got Patrick Sanchez to ground out to third base.
However, Sanchez was able to get his revenge as he stepped up with a runner on second in the top of the fourth inning. The College of Charleston Commit ripped a two strike pitch into the left center gap for an RBI Double, knocking in Jaiden RIvera to make it 1-0 Neptune.
The Aviators got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Nick Lomonaco attempted to steal third and was able to score when the throw got away from the third baseman and trickled away into the outfield.
In the top of the sixth, the clutch spotlight shifted to Harrison Treble as he stepped up with a runner on second with two outs. Treble hit an RBI single between first and second to knock in the go ahead run giving LIB Neptune a 2-1 lead.
Stephen Santarpia entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and he had a huge strikeout where he came back from down 3-0 with two outs to end the inning and strand a runner on second base. Santarpia went back out in the second and was able to put the finishing touches on the game, giving LIB Neptune it’s league leading 13th win of the season.
