by Chris Prystupa
We caught up with Nolan Britt todays winning pitcher victory. He spoke with us about how he locked in and shut down trouble in the first as he settled in the rest of the game. He also spoke with us about what it meant to have some run support supplied by his teammates. pic.twitter.com/8P2mjlzpKy
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 19, 2022
The Junior Ducks defeated the West Islip Lions by a score of 6-1 to take the Boys Of Summer 16U American Division Championship. The first inning for both squads appeared to set the tone for what could’ve have been a high scoring game.
The Lions opened up the top of the first with a single and a wild pitch setting the table for the heart of the order. Shaun Boyle would tag up and score the game’s first run on a sac fly by Erick Burciaga. Nolan Britt would escape the jam and shut down the threat, turning it over to his lineup. The lineup didn’t take long to answer the Lions as a leadoff walk and a single by Kevin Baez set the Ducks heart of the order to do some damage. Ethan Ferrara would cash in an RBI as he would bounce into a fielder’s choice to tie the game at one. Nick Nigro would load the bases and then strand them as he ended the inning on a swinging strikeout.
The Lions would threaten to score yet again in the top of the second as a runner reached second on an error. Sure enough a ball was put into play in the outfield and Dante Sgambati rounded third heading for the plate. Mark Moebes had other plans as he came up throwing to the plate to nail the runner, not only keeping the game tied but ending the inning. The Junior Ducks offense would put together a solid turn at bat as they rallied for four runs in the bottom of the second. An error and a hit by pitch had the Ducks in business yet again for the second consecutive inning. Joey Provvisiero started the scoring as he bounced a ball just far enough for an RBI infield single giving the Ducks a 2-1 lead. The Lions would make a pitching change as they summoned Austin Bakalo out of the bullpen. This didn’t phase Kevin Baez as he smashed a ball off the right field for a two run single padding the Ducks to a 4-1 lead. A wild pitch would cap off the second inning for the Ducks until a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the third.
FINAL: Ducks: 6 Lions: 1 The Junior Ducks are your 16U American League Champs! @liboysofsummer pic.twitter.com/ZGm6tcPSem
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 19, 2022
Nolan Britt would settle in quite nicely as he tossed scoreless inning after scoreless inning ultimately completing this game surrendering only one run on five hits while striking out nine hitters and earning the victory. Austin Bakalo was also superb in relief as he notched six strikeouts over five innings. It was quite a special season for both teams as The Lions, who have been playing together for the town of West Islip since little league, finished 23-2 and runner up in the American Division. The Junior Ducks end the season 22-1-1 and as American Division Champs.
