by Andy Smith
Thomas Solnick gives Massapequa an early lead in the opening frame with an RBI double pic.twitter.com/hp6lGwwf2U
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 1, 2023
Massapequa narrowly defeated Phenom in a very tight game.
First baseman Dominick Podmore was the first baserunner of the game and reached on a single and then proceeded to swipe second base. Center fielder Thomas Solnick would score Podmore on a double to open the scoring in favor of the Cyclones.
The Phenom would tie the game in the second inning courtesy of center fielder Cooper Scheriff, who showcased some heads-up baserunning.
James Henchy was given the starting nod for Massapequa and delivered two innings of one-run ball with three punchouts. He also made a great play in the opening frame to pick off a base runner at first base.
A significant reason why the scoring was low in this one was because of Thomas Miniutti. After surrendering the opening run, Miniutti would finish with a stat line of four innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts.
Nick Tartamella breaks the tie with an RBI knock pic.twitter.com/lEQm6chRru
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 1, 2023
The Phenom would feed off Miniutti’s energy and take the lead in the fourth. Miniutti woke the bats up with a lead-off single and scored off a Nick Tartamella single. The Phenom would stay hot and increase their lead to two runs off a sacrifice fly in the same frame.
The Cyclones responded right away by not only tying the game in the fifth but taking the lead. Left fielder Michael Catherwood would bring in their second run of the game off a defensive error. Then, with two outs, shortstop Jaxon McDonough would bring in the tying run and would score the game-winning run off great baserunning.
We are tied up! Jaxon McDonough brings in Catherwood
3-3 pic.twitter.com/KuOuDUsnTM— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 1, 2023
To hold their lead, the Cyclones turned to Dominick Podmore to shut the door across the final two frames. Despite surrendering a lead-off walk, Podmore would strike out the next two batters and retire the third via a groundout.
Podmore kept the momentum rolling in the final frame and retired the first three batters he faced to seal the victory.
