Wild pitch ends the game! Monarchs walk it off 3-2. pic.twitter.com/7NgPFp4rkW
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 2, 2021
by Matthew Cataruzolo
Stony Brook, NY – The Bonnie Monarchs defeated the Tri-State Arsenal by a score of 3-2 at Joe Nathan Field at Stony Brook University.
The Monarchs took the field as the home team to face the visiting Arsenal on the second day of the Northeast Elite Tournament. Usher Valdez took the mound for the Monarchs and immediately showed off his impressive arsenal that held the Arsenal to just two runs.
Valdez cruised through the first inning, striking out the side. The Arsenal also worked a one-two-three inning to keep the first inning scoreless for both teams.
The Arsenal struck first on an error by Valdez, who caught a line drive off the bat of Mark Dedona, then proceeded to throw the ball into the outfield in an attempt to complete the double play at second base, allowing a runner to score making it 1-0 Arsenal after one and a half innings.
The scoring for the Arsenal continued in the top of the third inning with an RBI single off the bat of catcher Sean Maldonado, making it 2-0.
The bottom of the third inning finally saw the Monarchs get on the board with a two out RBI single by Yaniel Torres. Sean Maldonado helped the Arsenal avoid further trouble by throwing out a runner at first base, ending the inning and preserving the Arsenal’s lead at 2-1.
With new pitcher Victor Frederick taking the mound for the Arsenal, the bottom of the fourth inning saw the Monarch’s threaten early. After allowing the first three Monarch batters to reach safely, the Arsenal quickly saw themselves facing a bases loaded, nobody out situation, clinging to a one run lead.
Frederick did not buckle under pressure. Frederick struck out the next two Monarch batters but walked in the tying run before striking out Ryan Williams to end the inning. After four innings, the game was tied 2-2.
Valdez once again held strong by retiring three out of the next four batters he faced.
Valdez with his 12th strikeout. Arsenal coming to bat in the final inning with the game still tied 2-2. pic.twitter.com/A8WV0lJTQh
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 2, 2021
Frederick answered quickly with a strong inning of his own striking out three out of four Monarch batters.
The top of the sixth inning saw Valdez turn up the heat, striking out the side to finish his day with 14 strikeouts.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, The Arsenal once again found themselves in a jam. Runners on the corners, no one out. With Jerame Marizan at the plate, Frederick threw a wild pitch past Maldonado, allowing the runner from third to score. The Monarchs secured the walk-off victory by a score of 3-2.
