by Andy Smith
East Islip 11
Hauppauge 6WP Nick Rizzo
Veltman and Kneisel both had 3RBIs for East Islip pic.twitter.com/vbD8CTeub5— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 1, 2023
It was a cold, windy day but the offenses were hot and tallied a combined seventeen runs by a score of 11-6 with East Islip as the victor.
The Eagles got to Nick Rizzo in the first inning and scored three runs off a two-run triple by first baseman Mike Oliveto, who was able to round home plate off a throwing error. The Redmen responded in the bottom half of the frame by putting up four runs to give them a one-run lead. Left fielder Thomas Costarelli got things started with a lead-off single. Then, Alex Johnston reached first, which was followed by a base on balls to Rizzo which loaded the bases. Then following two consecutive outs, right fielder Gavin Veltman brought in two off a single. The next batter, backstop Brady Kneisel hit a two-run double to cap off the inning.
Rizzo would go on to throw three consecutive shutout innings which continued to spark the East Islip offense.
In the bottom of the second, Alex Johnston hit a two-out triple and would eventually score off an RBI double by first baseman Jaden Schmidt which scored two (Rizzo reached on a hit by pitch after Johnston). The next batter, center fielder Anthony Rigogliosi would then hit an RBI double himself that brought hom Schmidt. The Redmen tacked on one more run that inning off a single by Veltman which made it 8-3.
Then in the following inning third baseman Mike Tramaglini hit a lead-off single but was eventually a victim of a double play. However, once again with two-outs East Islip was not phased. Costarelli ripped a double and then scored off a Johnston single to extend their lead to six.
In the fourth, the Redmen added two more. Schmidt got things going with a lead-off triple and scored off a double by Rigogliosi (his second of the game). Then, Kneisel hit his second RBI double of the game to bring in Islip’s eleventh run of the afternoon.
The Eagles offense got back on track in the fifth inning and scored three. A lead-off double by third baseman John Margolies provided the spark. Then, Chris Diesso reached on an error which set up shortstop Matt Neglia for a one-run double. After Rizzo registered the second out, both left fielder Cole Wood and pitcher/designated hitter Ian Rivera hit back-to-back RBI singles which made it 11-6.
Right fielder # 1 Gavin Veltman is today’s Game Changer.
Veltman reached base three times with two singles and 3 RBIs. pic.twitter.com/URwL36JWQF— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 1, 2023
Rizzo finished the day with five innings pitched and six punchouts.
Hauppauge could not build their momentum from the fifth inning due to two strong innings of relief from Costarelli. He shut the door in the final two innings and tallied one strikeout.
Veltman was named the player of the game as he played a major role in the offensive explosion for the Redmen. Veltman expressed that he was in a bit of a slump but this game helped him get back on track. In addition, Veltman credited his opponent and said that “We beat a pretty good team today, they can hit very well.”
This game was a great opportunity for East Islip’s offense to get back on track and get ready for the stretch run.
