by Nick Cipolla
Final. 5 Star National wins 4-3 over the LI Titans.
Kyle Connolly records the final out and strands two, sealing the deal for 5 Star pic.twitter.com/ZUBkgmkda3
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 1, 2022
5 Star National and LI Titans Robles kicked off the Elite Invitational and played a close game that was decided in the final innings of the game.
The game started off with 5 Star getting 2 runs on bases loaded walks. Joey Thomas and Joe Desantis drew bases loaded walks to make it 2-0 5 Star in the 1st.
The Titans almost immediately answered in the 2nd on a Jordan Meirowitz RBI double that was hit off the wall in left field to make it 2-1. The next batter, Mike Regan, laid down a safety squeeze to tie the game at 2.
Matt Francisici gave the Titans the lead in the 2nd with an RBI single to right to make it 3-2 Titans.
In the bottom of the 2nd, another bases loaded by 5 Star tied the game back up at 3. This time Rocco Panaro drew the bases loaded walk for 5 Star, their third of the game.
Over the next few innings, both teams traded zeros, Christian Apicella of the Titans was brilliant in relief. He and Kyle Connolly of 5 Star traded zeros until the bottom of the 6th inning.
5 Star was able to scratch another run across in the bottom of the 6th, a passed ball on a third strike allowed Joey Thomas to advance to third. The catcher for the Titans made a throwing error trying to throw Thomas out, allowing Thomas to score giving 5 Star a 4-3 lead.
The Titans did put the tying and go ahead runs on base in the top of the 7th, but Kyle Connolly weathered the storm and was able to win the game for 5 Star National.
Postgame Interview with Kyle Connolly after his performance on the mound for 5 Star National pic.twitter.com/xbHJHHTNkc
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 1, 2022
