by Chris Prystupa
This is Jack McKillop from the Taconic Rangers. He takes us through how he refocused his approach up at the plate leading to his strong performance and the group of supportive teammates surrounding him as they cruised to a championship victory. pic.twitter.com/dC5tQK3kcS
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2022
In a battle of the two top seeded teams in the tournament, this game surely didn’t disappoint. The NY Gothams wasted no time in this championship matchup as they struck and landed the first blow of the game on Hector De Los Santos’ two-run single giving them an early 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the first, the Gothams were firing on all cylinders, they backed up their strong 2-0 start by flashing the leather with a well-turned 4-6-3 double play to halt a Rangers’ rally.
In the bottom of the second inning the Rangers set the table nicely courtesy of an Erik Gerfeld single and two walks by DJ DeMatteo and Jack Williams. Logan Crilly cashed in an RBI as he bounced into a fielder’s choice and the Rangers were on the board. The Rangers’ starter, Eli Negron, would work through some heavy traffic in the third inning by inducing an inning ending double play, keeping this a one run game for his offense.
Jack McKillop was a nightmare for the Gothams in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs he smashed a double to tie the game at two runs apiece. He would proceed to steal third base and score on the throw that got away into the outfield to put the Rangers up 3-2.
Jack McKillop comes through big with a two out RBI double to tie this game at 2 pic.twitter.com/PYnbgto3NA
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2022
In the top of the fourth inning, Eli Negron would find himself in hot water once again as the Gotham’s had two men on to start the inning. Negron would induce yet another double play ball, thwarting another potential scoring opportunity for the Gothams. The rangers would capitalize on back-to-back walks and a wild pitch to extend their lead in the bottom of the fourth. The Rangers were not done there as Jack Williams continued the inning with a well-placed single right bringing home another run. Logan Crilly would put the cherry on top of a solid productive inning for the Rangers, as he pulled a ball down the line for a two-run double making it 7-2.
The Gothams responded in the top of the fifth as a couple of batters reached base. Marc Castillo and Colin Correia hit back-to-back singles to set up Colin Cashin on deck. He would hit a sacrifice fly and the Gothams would get one back. They continued to try and chip away at the Rangers lead as Lennox Rondon chopped a ball to third base resulting in another run. That would be all for the Gothams as Negron would get out of further trouble in the inning.
Jack McKillop would continue his excellent day at the plate in the bottom of the fifth as he belted a ball over the left fielder’s head for an RBI triple. McKillop would yet again advance and score on another wild pitch by the Gothams to give them a 9-4 lead. Just when you thought McKillop couldn’t do anymore, he was summoned to take over on the mound for Eli Negron with two outs in the sixth.
The Taconic Rangers close it out and win the Blue Chip Invitational Tournament 9-7 over the NY Gothams pic.twitter.com/EI6jcdUJnM
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2022
The Gothams did not go quietly in the top of the seventh as they were able to put a couple guys on base to start the inning. A tough hop on a fielder’s choice allowed for a run to score and suddenly the Rangers lead began shrinking. Lennox Rodon continued to hit well as he added another RBI on a hard hit double making it 9-6. To make matters worse for the Rangers there was a miscommunication on a pop-fly on the very next play bringing home yet another run to make it 9-7. The Rangers lead was slowly dissipating as the Gotham’s found a way to move the chain. Jack McKillop was able to stop the Gotham’s in their tracks and close the game out and earn the Taconic Rangers a Blue Chip Invitational Tournament championship.
