by Chris Prystupa
Here’s Owls (Kneisel) RHP Jaden Schmidt on his dominant start in the Taylor Ryan tournament’s championship game pic.twitter.com/cfs6D1Y3Ua
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 13, 2022
It was a well-rounded game played between both Islip Owls Kneisel and Islip Owls Mckenna today at East Islip Highschool. Both teams pitched well, played solid defense, and had timely hitting but Owls Kneisel ultimately outlasted their opponent.
Owls McKenna would send right-handed pitcher Connor Villano to the mound and he would be just as effective as his counterpart Jaden Schmidt on Owls Kneisel. Both pitchers were the definition of efficiency as the starters were dominating each other’s lineups through the first two innings.
In the top of the third inning, the first run of the game came around to score courtesy of an RBI single from Justin Zizza giving Owls Kneisel an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the frame Schmidt would continue to be dominant as he provided his team with a strong shutdown inning that included two strikeouts. The game would remain 1-0 until the fifth.
In the top of the fifth inning, Owls Kneisel would tack on another couple of runs to extend their lead. After a leadoff triple from pitcher Schimdt, Brady Kneisel stepped up to the plate showing bunt but pulled back and launched a sacrifice fly into the outfield. Luca Centauro scored on a high throw, from the catcher, that made its way into the outfield making it a 3-0 ballgame in favor of the Owls Kneisel. In the bottom of the fifth, Owls McKenna broke the shutout thanks to an RBI fielder’s choice from Liam Ryan.
FINAL: Owls (Kneisel) 4 Owls (McKenna) 1 pic.twitter.com/sDXrOXVglX
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 12, 2022
In the sixth inning, the Owls would scratch across an insurance run thanks to a bases loaded walk bringing their lead to 4-1. No further damage would be done as Owls McKenna catcher, Patrick Russell, jumped on a pass ball and nailed the runner trying to steal home thus ending the inning. Both offenses would be done for the day after six innings of play.
Jaden Schmidt went back out for the seventh inning and closed out the game, solidifying not only his complete game but Owls Kneisel’s championship victory in the Taylor Ryan Tournament . He only surrendered one run on a few hits and struck out seven of the opposing hitters in the victory.
