Coach Jon Henchy on his team’s comeback win and their impressive summer @EcybTournaments pic.twitter.com/s7UlFh2Ha0
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 4, 2021
Stepping up to the plate leading off the bottom of the sixth inning, Ryan Land ripped a walk-off inside-the-park HR to propel the Massapequa Cyclones to an impressive comeback victory over the Franklin Square Tigers, 5-4, to open up their Labor Day Bash Tournament in the 11u division.
The Cyclones have had a remarkable year, winning their district tournament last month and this was their first game at the 51/75 field dimensions.
“It was a big jump for these guys,” said coach Jon Henchy in regards to his team. “They won the New York State Championships for Massapequa Coast and they’re transitioning to the Cyclones now playing 51/75 ball, it’s a big adjustment for them but we got the first one and that’s what it’s all about,” he added.
They were facing a talented Franklin Square team that won their first game earlier in the day and were looking to stay hot.
The Cyclones jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on an RBI ground out by Brady Hunt who scored Gavin Weiss. Jackson Henchy also drew a walk and stole a base to put two runners in scoring position right off the bat. That is typically how Massapequa plays – get ’em on, get ’em over, get ’em in and it worked to perfection.
The Tigers, however, answered right back with a four-spot in the top of the second against Tommy Tabone. Cleanup hitter Richard Ravo got things going with a double to deep center field, showing off some impressive power. After him, Danny Curich bunted him to third and he scored on an RBI single by Phil Allocco. A single by Nick Kokosinki, and a wild pitch made it 2-1. Dom Bosco ripped an RBI single to make it 3-1 and an error scored the fourth run of the inning.
Both pitchers settled in and the offenses were docile for the next couple innings.
Fast forward to the boom of the fourth where Massapequa crept closer. Land led off with a walk and stole second. He advanced to third on a ground out and he scored on an RBI ground out by by Jackson Henchy to make it 4-2.
Henchy came on in relief in the fifth inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Bosco, but he was erased attempting to steal second. Henchy struck out the next two batters to retire the side and give his team a chance to inch closer.
That’s exactly what they did in the fifth off Billy Mitchell. Tommy Tabone led off with a single and stole second. Harrison Smith ripped a single to score Tabone and make it a 4-3 ballgame. Chase Kaplan dropped down a perfect bunt a beat the throw to tie up the game, 4-4. After a hit by pitch, the next two batters struck out to end the inning and keep the game tied.
In the top of the sixth, the Tigers got off to a great start with back-to-back walks drawn by Vinny Bourne and Aidan Hauer. Massapequa turned to SS Gavin Weiss to come in and put out the fire and that’s exactly what he did. After a strikeout, he intentionally walked Ravo to load the bases and he induced a comebacker that he threw home for the force and then struck out the next batter to strand the bases loaded.
The Cyclones, just like their hometown high school has routinely done, stepped up in the biggest moments of the game. Land wasted no time in jumping on a fastball and ripping the walk-off HR. There must be something in that water in Massapequa as they simply perform their best in the big moments.
The Cyclones were back in action at 3pm.
