Penn State-commit Jace Alvino did it all today as he fired a 2-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts and also drove in the game’s only runs in the sixth inning of West Babylon’s 2-0 victory over Hills West @GCsports pic.twitter.com/7uejr5LubQ
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 1, 2023
Entering this series against Hills West, West Babylon knew the task at hand – sweep and win League 5.
Hills West entered with a record of 12-2 and they always throw their ace, Clemson-commit Justin LeGuernic, on Mondays. Coach Victor Manzella countered with his ace, Penn State-commit Jace Alvino. He was up to the task. Alvino not only outdueled LeGuernic, but he was responsible for the game’s only runs as he ripped a clutch, two-run single up the middle in the top of the sixth inning to break the scoreless tie – which ultimately was more than enough for him.
Early on in this game, LeGuernic was turning plenty of heads with his low 90s heat and swing & miss breaking ball. Home plate was lined with scouts, as it has been for every one of LeGuernic’s outings. He struck out two in the first inning, and he struck out the side in the second, third and fourth innings to bring his total to 11 through 4. The first jam he ran into was in the fifth inning when he walked the leadoff batter and allowed an infield single to Anthony Gerbasio. A ground out put two runners in scoring position, but he was able to get back-to-back strikeouts of Dominic Gerbasio and Sean McGuire to end the threat.
On the opposite side, Alvino was quietly dominating as well – just with a few less strikeouts but an even more efficient pace. Aside from a hard hit ball by Ryan Muskopf in the first inning that was scored a single, he didn’t allow much of anything. He used a great mix of his two-seamers and sliders to keep the potent Hills West offense off balance. Additionally, he only walked two batters so he was consistently around the strike zone which is why he was able to go the distance on just 97 pitches, while LeGuernic threw 119 in his 6 innings.
Top 6: Jace Alvino helps himself with a 2-run single up the middle to score Outlaw and Adams
West Babylon 2, Hills West 0 pic.twitter.com/DZREhKZBzr
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 1, 2023
The only damage of the game occurred in the top of the sixth inning when Elijah Outlaw drew a one-out walk and Ryan Adams followed with a walk as well. The runner’s both advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch and that’s when Alvino came through with the clutch two-run single. As far as high school baseball goes, having to beat a potential draft pick on the road is just about as difficult as it gets.
Final: West Babylon 2, Hills West 0
WP: Jace Alvino (CG shutout, 2 hits, 11 Ks)Alvino also had the 2-R go-ahead single in the 6th inning pic.twitter.com/uXpxtgBVnQ
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 1, 2023
After the game, Alvino acknowledged that LeGuernic is a good pitcher, but he made one mistake with that pitch. Alvino was able to harness his excitement and execute quality pitch after quality pitch.
The teams will be back in action tomorrow for Game 2 of the series at West Babylon.
