By Chris Prystupa
Here’s Doug Davies from Long Island Baseball as he takes us through his at-bat where he hit a double bringing home the go-head run leading to a 4-3 game one victory pic.twitter.com/z1U5oMuRxE
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 18, 2022
It was a beautiful day for two games at West Babylon HS as the 16U Team Francisco Prime took on the 16U Long Island Baseball-Select (LIB). Both teams played well in each game but LIB ultimately came away with two wins.
In game one of the double header, LIB wasted no time as they scored two runs thanks to an error and a RBI single by Dylan Cantwell. Just as quickly as they jumped out to a two run lead, Team Francisco responded back with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. They were able to capitalize on a wild pitch and cut the lead to just 2-1.
Both starters, Jonathan Squicciarino and Dom Pannitti, would both go on to throw zeros over the course of the next two innings including back-to-back 1-2-3 innings. Nick Anderson would break the scoreless inning streak as he showcased some serious speed, beating out a ground ball to second allowing a run to score. With the momentum building in favor of LIB, Team Francisco’s catcher Anthony Ventiere had other plans. He threw out a runner attempting to steal second thus putting an end to what could have been a big inning.
Pannitti would continue to keep Team Francisco held to just one run until the sixth inning where Team Francisco would begin to mount a comeback. They laid down back-to-back bunts with both runners reaching base. Finally, their moment came as Pannitti’s first and third pickoff attempt would go awry allowing a run to score bringing them within a run. Shortly after the pickoff attempt, a passed ball would allow the game tying run to come in, making it a 3-3 game heading into the seventh.
After bringing in a new pitcher, Team Francisco would make an immediate pitching change after a lead-off walk was issued. Doug Davies, LIB’s third baseman, then proceeded to line a ball into the gap in right center for a go-ahead RBI double. Brian Sanchez would earn the save in his second inning of work solidifying the game one victory for LIB.
In game two things got out to a quick start for the home team, Long Island Baseball, as they put together a huge first inning. An RBI triple from Anthony Dichiara, RBI singles from Doug Davies and James Kass would pair nicely with a multitude of walks and a wild pitch giving LIB an early 6-0 lead.
In the top of the second, Team Francisco showed some life as the first batter of the inning, Jason Zeller, sprinted around the bases for an inside the park homerun. They continued to slowly chip away at the lead as Mario Cabrera singled home a run to make it a 6-2 ballgame. Team Francisco would acquire another run on a base running error on a fly ball to right in the top of the third cutting the deficit to 6-3.
Game 2 FINAL: LIB 6 Team Francisco 3 pic.twitter.com/XIq4XK9W7M
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 18, 2022
The score of the game would remain the same as neither offense produced anymore runs after the third inning. Brian Sanchez came on in relief again, after appearing in game one, to close out game two and ensure a LIB sweep.
