by John Sullivan
Postgame interview with Muddy Locker Player of the Game Ryan Solomon who just delivered a phenomenal performance on the mound pic.twitter.com/Ns6FsNkto1
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2023
The 14u matchup between Long Island Storm and Dodgers Nation was one that featured two very strong starting pitchers. For the Storm, Ryan Solomon got the start and for Dodgers Nation, Billy Steinmann got the nod. Solomon showed early that he would be a pitcher that pounds the strike zone and pitches to contact after he tossed a quick 1-2-3 inning with three fly outs in the first. For Steinmann, his first inning wasn’t as smooth, but he still looked good on the mound. After the lead off batter reached on an error, AJ Magaraci ripped a single into right field to set up a first and second, no outs situation that would eventually lead to a Richie Conte RBI groundout to give the Storm a 1-0 lead.
The second inning was more of the same for Solomon, as he put up another 1-2-3 inning. This time, he had two groundouts and a strikeout. In the bottom half of the inning, Steinmann’s inning was very similar, as he also had a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout and two groundouts. The two pitchers were both able to keep rolling in the third inning. Ryan Solomon was able to throw another scoreless, hitless inning as he notched three groundouts. In the bottom of the third, Billy Steinmann was able to overcome a lead off single with two groundouts in a row and an inning ending fly out.
In the top of fourth, Solomon ran into his first bit of trouble. After Jason Martin hit a single up the middle for Dodgers Nation’s first hit of the game, Aidan Walsh worked a one out walk to make it first and second. Solomon was able to get the next batter to pop out to second and this set up a two out at bat against Solomon’s counterpart, Billy Steinmann. Steinmann jumped on a first-pitch fastball and hit what surely seemed like was gonna be an RBI single, but Storm’s shortstop Chase Eisel laid out to make a spectacular play and keep the game at 1-0. In the bottom of the fourth, the Storm were finally able to add some much needed insurance. After Ryan Solomon reached on a fielder’s choice, he stole second. With two outs, Jake Ganulin was able to come in very clutch, and drive a single the other way to score Solomon and make the score 2-0 heading into the fifth.
Mid 6: Dodgers Nation score 2 on 4 walks and an RBI groundout from Will Steinmann. But, AJ Magarci gets a huge 2 out strikeout to end the inning. Storm lead it 3-2 pic.twitter.com/BGj0tYRRK7
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2023
In the fifth inning, Dodgers Nation looked ready for a comeback, as John Kitson and Will Carrol jumped on the first two pitches of the inning for singles. With first and second and nobody out, Chase Mcquade executed a perfect sac bunt to advance the runners to second and third. But, Ryan Solomon was able to lock in on the mound and notch a huge strikeout and a groundout to escape the jam with no harm. In the bottom half of the inning, the Storm were able to add another insurance run to make it 3-0. The run was scored by Jack Destefa, who reached on a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a bunt single from Chase Eisel and scored on Matt Vlahakis’ sac fly.
In the sixth, Solomon’s control seemed to leave him. He did get the first batter out on a pop out, but he walked the next three to load the bases. This led to Solomon getting pulled and AJ Magaraci coming in relief for the Storm. James Lewis was the first batter AJ faced and he worked a walk for an RBI. The next batter, Will Steinmann, grounded out to short for an RBI. Then, Magaraci was able to strike out the next batter to get out of the inning and leave the score at 3-2.
Final: AJ Magarci shuts the door for the Storm and they win it 4-2 pic.twitter.com/BzRlhXwlKo
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 13, 2023
Now with only a one-run lead, the Storm needed at least one run in the bottom of the sixth for insurance, and that’s exactly what they did. AJ Magarci’s single got things started and Jack Paul’s hit by pitch kept things going. Then, after two consecutive old pitches Magaraci came around to score to make the score 4-2 going into the seventh. For the Storm, the seventh inning was mostly stress free, as AJ Magaraci worked around a lead off walk to shut the door and secure the 4-2 victory. The Storm worked hard this win, especially the starting pitcher, Ryan Solomon. Postgame, Solomon explained that his strategy on the mound was to just throw the fastball over the plate and let his defense make the plays. Solomon executed this plan perfectly and it clearly worked out.
