by Trevor Dugan
MXE earns a mercy rule victory to advance to the 15U @liboysofsummer championship
FINAL: MXE 12 – Black Diamonds 1 pic.twitter.com/OAcHajz3WK
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 15, 2024
The Long Island Black Diamonds National and MXE Academy Giac Squad met at PAL Stadium this Thursday afternoon in the Boys of Summer 15u National Division Semifinal.
Peter Malone started the game on the mound for the Black Diamonds, while MXE sent out the left-handed Jack Lyke.
MXE jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a pair of RBI singles, one coming off the bat of Nick Caroli. He would finish the game 1-3 with a pair of runs scored and one RBI.
Lyke quickly got the MXE offense back to work by firing a shutdown inning in the bottom of the first. Striking out two batters in the frame, Lyke would end the day with six strikeouts and one run allowed.
A somewhat messy top of the second saw Matthew Tomasello enter in relief for the Black Diamonds with the bases loaded and nobody out.
He was able to limit the damage, but MXE scraped across two more runs on a HBP and an RBI groundout. The Giac Squad led 4-0 heading into the bottom of the second.
Axcess spoke to winning pitcher Jack Lyke and MXE Head Coach Joe Giacomantonio after their playoff victory at PAL Stadium @liboysofsummer pic.twitter.com/7o3zf9qobD
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 15, 2024
Lyke’s efficient pitching continued for the rest of the game. He added one more strikeout in the second, then forced a double play to end the inning.
MXE continued to pour it on in the bottom of the third, and Lyke continued to star. He recorded an RBI single during the three run inning, one of his three hits on the day to help push the lead to 7-0.
Lyke finished 3-for-3 with four RBIs in just four innings, an outstanding offensive showing to go along with his already impressive pitching performance.
The Black Diamonds would get to Lyke in the third inning for their first run of the game. Lead off man Justin Santiago hit a solid line drive to left field to make it 7-1 MXE heading into the fourth.
Five more runs would come across for MXE in the fourth inning. Two of those runs scored thanks to a single off the bat of Fernando Alvarez. He would finish 1-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored.
This semifinal matchup ended after just four innings, resulting in a 12-1 run rule victory and championship berth for MXE Academy Giac Squad. Some MXE players threw up their hats and gloves in celebration after the final out.
Head Coach Joe Giacomantonio was happy with his team’s performance Thursday afternoon, and is confident heading into Friday’s championship game.
“Just like the whole season it was about plate discipline, we showed it once again and we played great defense,” Coach Giacomantonio said after the game. “And I’ll put our lineup against anyone, we can hit 1-10.”
Lyke also spoke to Axcess after the game, and discussed what it was like for him to perform in an important game like Thursday’s semifinal.
“I think I do better in high pressure situations, I like to rise to the occasion.” Lyke said. “Hopefully tomorrow we can go out there and get a championship win.”
The Boys of Summer 15U National Division Championship will be played at 8:00 P.M. Friday at Medford Sports Complex. MXE Academy Giac Squad will face the winner of tonight’s matchup between the LI Elite Cuomo and B1 Ghost Fiorino.
