by Andrew Barbieri
FINAL: Port Washington Legends 9, Baseball U LI 6.
Port Washington trailed early, but the bats came alive to storm back and win. @EcybTournaments pic.twitter.com/DqfexiYcnm— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 6, 2023
Port Washington Legends came back from an early deficit against Baseball U LI at Wantagh Park and prevailed 9-6 with use of strong defensive play, and heads up base running.
Baseball U broke the ice in the top of the 1st against Legend’s starter Cooper Blank by putting up 3 runs early. Joe Albano brought in Marco Diaz with a triple to left after Diaz got aboard to begin the game, Conner Lai followed up with a single to score Albano, and Vinny Gresko walked with the bases loaded later to get Baseball U off and running. The Legends countered right away on a long 2 out rally. With 2 on, Connor Long hit a slow roller to short that turned into an E6, also allowing 2 Legends to come in. Long then came in on a wild pitch to even the game at 3.
Next inning, Baseball U retook the lead from a Diaz liner up the middle, Albano tried to pick up another RBI and grounded a ball to third. Marcelo Patpon attempted to score from third but was cut down at the plate to keep the game 4-3. Immediately after the Legends turned a 6-4-3 double play and it instantly turned into a momentum shifter in the game.
Connor Long plates another run for the Legends. Port Washington also scored 2 more and look to finish the game leading by 5. pic.twitter.com/XhAy6OReAE
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 6, 2023
Port Washington got back to their top of the order in the 3rd in search of their first lead of the afternoon. Kaito Cavallo and David Schultz both provided RBI base knocks to give the Legends a 5-4 advantage. From that point they would never look back.
Finn Regan provided the spark with a two-bagger in the 4th and was promptly plated by Kai Dempsey to give the Legends a 2-run cushion. Then more insurance cam in the 5th from Long, Blank, and Jack Smalden who all brought home a run each. Smalden earned the win on the mound in relief.
Baseball U didn’t go down quietly as they were able to muster up 2 runs with their back against the wall but it was too little too late, and Port Washington came out victorious 9-6.
Finn Regan is the Muddy Locker Player of the Game. pic.twitter.com/T7zKpjiPi6
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 6, 2023
Port Washington, with the win, clinched the playoffs and finished 9-7, Baseball U has 1 game remaining and stand at 10-5 heading into their final game.
