Final: Calhoun 14, Wantagh 0 (5 innings)
WP: Aaron SmallCharlie Imhof: 3-for-4, HR
Brian Sanchez and Matt Kalfas: 2 hits, 2 RBIs eachCalhoun improves to 22-1 pic.twitter.com/DwuAG8xSUp
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 19, 2023
Relentless.
That’s the only way to describe Calhoun’s offensive attack. The reigning Class A Long Island Champs have bludgeoned their way to a 22-1 overall record to start the season. They faced one of the best programs on LI today, Wantagh, but they treated them as they have treated every team they’ve faced this season and that’s by putting up runs early and often.
Calhoun sent LHP Aaron Small to the mound against Wantagh. He was close to flawless as he pitched the five inning complete game, allowing just a walk in the first inning, a single in the third inning and a single & walk in the fourth inning. Small worked quick, he pounded the zone against a strong lineup and he let his defense make the plays – including one spectacular play by SS Brian Sanchez – younger brother of 2021 grad Patrick Sanchez.
The offense did the bulk of the heavy lifting. They had a difficult assignment against Binghamton-commit Tim Hennig – one of the top pitchers in Nassau County. Incredibly, they chased him in the third inning.
They wasted no time, scoring three times in the first inning. Charlie Imhof got the scoring going with a solo shot to left center field to make it a 1-0 game. Ryan Pucella singled and stole second and scored on an RBI single to left by Jordan Babbo. He moved to second on a balk and scored on an RBI single by Brian Sanchez to make it 3-0.
Surprisingly, Calhoun did not score in the second inning, but they made sure to make up for that with a barrage of runs in the third inning.
It was a marathon of an inning as they wound up sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring 9 times. Charlie Imhof started things with a double to right center field and before the inning was over he would contribute an RBI single in his next at bat. Brian Sanchez added an RBI single, as did Joey Goodman, two-run singles by PJ Kakalos, Matt Kalfas and Jordan Babbo added a two-run triple on a misjudged fly ball.
Calhoun stayed red-hot with a 14-0 victory over Wantagh to improve to 22-1 on the season. Charlie Imhof went 3-for-4 with a HR @GCsports pic.twitter.com/LSOOaRdfkK
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 19, 2023
The game was essentially over at that point, but they added two runs in the fourth inning to put a cherry on top.
With the victory, Calhoun will advance to the Nassau County Class A Final 4 on beginning on Monday. Wantagh is eliminated from the postseason.
Calhoun improves to 22-1 on the season. With Bethpage defeating Division, they are tied for the most wins on Long Island.
