by Jacob Infald
On the afternoon of June 9th, the RVC Tigers took on the Queens/Nassau Lions in a doubleheader on opening day of the ECYBL 9u Summer Showdown American League at Plainedge Park. In the first game of the doubleheader, a contest that featured strong pitching performances from both sides, the Tigers were able to manufacture enough runs to secure a 4-2 victory.
The Lions were able to get on the board first after being able to manufacture a couple of runs early. After a strong first inning by their starting pitcher AJ Greene, Jonathan Raudales was able to hit a one out single to right field for the game’s first base runner. Raudales stole second and third and eventually scored on a passed ball to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The following batter, Nicholas George was able to work on a walk. George ended up on third after two stolen bases and was driven in by Jack Woodworth on an RBI groundout. Tigers pitcher Owen St. John was then able to strikeout the following batter to limit the Lions to two runs in the first.
Jack Woodworth drives in the second run of the inning for the Lions. He drives in Nicholas George who reached on a walk. Lions lead 2-0 after one inning of play. pic.twitter.com/THR3dzDrVa
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 9, 2024
The Tigers were able to respond in the second inning. With one out, Phoenix Santoro was hit by a pitch. Santoro was able to use his speed and steal all three bases, to get the Tigers on the board. This did not seem to phase Greene as he was still able to strike out the side, to compile five strikeouts in the first two innings.
In the bottom half of the second, St. John settled in, striking out the side to keep the score 2-1 in favor of the Lions.
The Tigers were able to tie the score up in the top half of the third with some help from the bottom of the order. Shane Suhrcke and Charlie Muir were able to record back to back singles to start off the inning for the Tigers. The following batter, Dylan Docar was able to draw a walk and the Tigers were poised for a big inning with the bases loaded, nobody out and the top of the batting order coming up.
Greene with five strikeouts through two innings pitched. However, Phoenix Santoro is able to manufacture a run for the Tigers. He got hit by a pitch and then stole all three bases to score a run.
Lions 2 – Tigers 1 pic.twitter.com/lW1OgM7IWG— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 9, 2024
However, Greene was able to regain his composure, retiring the following three hitters, including two more strikeouts. The Tigers were able to get one run across when Suhrcke was able to score from third on a passed ball.
St. John continued his dominance on the mound in the bottom half of the third. He retired the side in order, with two strikeouts. The third out was made by Muir, who had an impressive snag on a line drive hit to him at first base.
In the fourth inning, with one out the speedy Santoro stepped back up to the plate. Earlier,he was able to use his speed to steal three bases. Now, he used his speed to run around the bases after hitting a deep drive to center field for an inside the park home run.
The Tiger’s coach, Coach Santoro said that despite Greene throwing a great game for the Lions, his team was able to battle hard, making things as difficult as possible for the Lion’s great pitcher. Coach Santoro said that after the go-ahead home run in the fourth, his squad never looked back.
“It turned the game around,” Santoro said. “Once we got ahead, Owen dialed in and that was it.”
St. John certainly dialed in. He struck out the side in the fourth inning. After the Tigers were able to score an insurance in the fifth courtesy of an RBI single to center field by Docar, St. John retired the side in order with two more strikeouts, for a total of 11 in the afternoon.
In the sixth inning, the Tigers called upon Muir to get the save. The lefty was able to retire the side in order and the Tigers were victorious 4-2.
Huge strikeout by Jonathon Raudales who relieved Greene mid inning. However, the Tigers tacked on another run courtesy of an RBI single to center by Dylan Docar.
Tigers 4 – Lions 2. pic.twitter.com/6VvOPuIazD— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 9, 2024
Coach Santoro said that getting this early season win against a talented team such as the Lions as they enter the summer season.
“They got a good pitcher, they got some good hitters,” Santoro said. “Hopefully build upon this and take the second game and go into the rest of the season 2-0 and see what we can do.”
The Tigers were able to win the second game of the doubleheader as well, 14-6 and look to continue their hot streak in their next game on June 18th against the Bombers.
