by John Sullivan
Ben Voegel gets his sixth K and Aviators win 14-0 after 3 innings. pic.twitter.com/PVgmn6OBBI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 13, 2023
It was a beautiful night in Stony Brook as Titans Baseball Brass and Top Tier Aviators Bruno were ready for battle in the 16u Boys of Summer matchup. Ben Voegel got the ball for Top Tier and he immediately set the tone for the game in the top of first.
Ben went out there and struck out the side in order. He was blowing his fastball by hitters and freezing them with his curve. After Ben’s perfect first inning, the Aviators were ready to make some noise in the bottom of the first. Despite recording 0 hits in the inning, the Aviators were able to plate 6 runs to take a very commanding lead. The runs were scored thanks to 6 walks and 2 errors. The Titans were just playing all-around very sloppy baseball.
Unfortunately for the Titans, their sloppy baseball would continue in the second inning.
Ben Voegel would once again toss a 1,2,3 inning for the Aviators, this time with two strikeouts. Then in the bottom half, the Aviators would add another 8 runs to their lead to make it 14-0.
These runs were thanks to more walks and errors, as well as three singles that came in the inning. The base knocks came from Ben Voegel, Elijah Abella, and Chase Siska. Another highlight of the inning came from Tyler Hanko, who came around to score on a little league home run. After Hanko laid down a bunt, the Titans catcher launched the ball into right field. The throw from the right fielder to try and get Hanko at third flew over the third baseman’s head, allowing Hanko to score. This single play basically summed up the entire game for the Titans, it just really was not there day.
End of 2: Top tier adds another 8 runs thanks to more walks and errors. They lead 14-0 pic.twitter.com/7uRAuj8fpI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 13, 2023
The Titans entered the top of the third down 14-0, needing 3 runs to avoid the mercy rule. But, after two quick groundouts there chances were looking bleak. Liam Shea did draw a walk with two outs to extend the game, but Voegel struck the next batter out looking. Voegel would end the day with a three inning no-hitter with six strikeouts and just one walk.
After the game, Voegel said his two-seam and four-seam were what was getting the job done on the mound. He also added that it “felt good” to secure such a dominant victory and move to 5-0 to start the season.
