by Trevor Dugan
Aviators get the win after six innings
FINAL: Aviators 11 – B1 5@liboysofsummer pic.twitter.com/GRaOp0crT5— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 7, 2024
The 18u Top Tier Aviators overcame B1 Ghost Sarni 11-7 on Friday night to earn their third win of the Boys of Summer season.
The Aviators wasted no time getting the scoring started, as they struck for seven runs in the top of the first. Patient at bats by the Aviators yielded several walks. Disciplined hitting and a few timely hits, including an RBI single by catcher Christian Meadows, secured a huge lead for the Aviators right away. It was 7-0 midway through the first.
But B1 didn’t want to go quietly. In the bottom of the first, B1 Sarni loaded the bases and had their whole dugout on the fence. With the pressure on early, extra hitter Jake Barletta drove in three with an RBI double.
After a first inning that saw 10 runners cross the plate, the Aviators led 7-3.
The bats quieted down a bit after that, with both starting pitchers throwing scoreless second innings.
But in the bottom of the third, B1 cut into the lead a bit when they brought in a run on a fielder’s choice. After three innings the Aviator lead stood at 7-4.
In the fourth, Andrew Lentini took over on the mound for B1. It didn’t take long after the pitching change for the Top Tier offense to break out once again.
The Aviators added four insurance runs during their strong fourth inning. Outfielder John Leonard strode to the plate with the bases loaded and unloaded a bases clearing triple that all but sealed the game for Top Tier.
Head Coach Steve Bruno and pitcher Dan McDonnell of the Aviators spoke to axcess after their victory over B1 pic.twitter.com/juO2aa6QQn
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 8, 2024
B1 did score once more in the bottom of the fourth on a bases loaded walk, but that was all they could muster after the big inning by the Aviators.
Unfortunately due to time constraints, this game had to end after just five innings.
Top Tier starting pitcher Dan McDonell fired a complete game, allowing four ER and striking out eight batters while walking just two.
After a 3-0 start for the Aviators, head coach Steve Bruno had nothing but good things to say about his squad.
“It’s a combination of us getting good pitching, playing good defense, and a little timely hitting. We do a lot of the little things in this game of baseball.” Bruno said. “Mostly we’re getting good pitching which is a staple of who we are as Top Tier baseball.”
B1 Ghost Sarni takes on the Islip Owls Baseball Club Saturday, 9 A.M at East Islip High School.
The Aviators are back in action Sunday against Owls Baseball Club, 8:15 A.M at East Islip High School.
