by Tucker Terranova (Photo: Catherine Scarantino) Nick Berasti delivered a performance for the ages today for Clarke. He broke down what worked for him in a postgame interview with Axcess Baseball. pic.twitter.com/NxseFThmYA — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 28, 2024 In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the bases loaded and one out, the Clarke Rams fell just short of stealing a win, losing the first game of their best-of-three series against the Wantagh Warriors by a narrow 4-3 margin, facing the brink of elimination. Such a devastating playoff loss might have broken most teams, but Clarke’s dugout remained resilient. They bounced back in Game 2 with a decisive 7-3 victory, setting the stage for a thrilling Game 3 that was the only fitting way to conclude this back-and...
by Tucker Terranova (Photo: Catherine Scarantino) The final Saturday game of our coverage of the Nassau County Championships featured a pitching duel between A-1 #1 Wantagh and A-2 #1 Clarke in the opening game of their best-of-three set. Christian Danzilo describes his gutsy save to lock down a 4-3 win for Wantagh. pic.twitter.com/s2cKMy3zyW — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 25, 2024 How they got here: After winning their division with a 20-3-1 record, Wantagh has taken care of business in the playoffs, currently possessing a 4-1 record in postseason play while defeating North Shore and Plainedge. Also winning their division with a 20-3 record, Clarke’s playoff run can only be described using one word: domination. Possessing a +35 run differential coming into game 1 and only allo...
“When you have Scott Boras calling you up telling you that you’re a first round pick, you take it!” Wantagh grad Chris Smith was not just one of the best players on Long Island during his magical ride of a senior season in 1998, but his took his game up a notch at Florida State University, where he became an All-American OF with a cannon of a left arm that generated 98 MPH heaters – and that’s before every team had someone sitting in the mid 90s. Smith was the rare two-way player that could thrive on either side of the ball, but once he showcased upper 90s heater against the University of Miami, it became clear the best path to multimillionaire status was on the mound. He made the controversial and difficult decision to leave Florida State after playing in back-to-back College World Series...
“When you have Scott Boras calling you up telling you that you’re a first round pick, you take it!” Wantagh grad Chris Smith was not just one of the best players on Long Island during his magical ride of a senior season in 1998, but his took his game up a notch at Florida State University, where he became an All-American OF with a cannon of a left arm that generated 98 MPH heaters – and that’s before every team had someone sitting in the mid 90s. Smith was the rare two-way player that could thrive on either side of the ball, but once he showcased upper 90s heater against the University of Miami, it became clear the best path to multimillionaire status was on the mound. He made the controversial and difficult decision to leave Florida State after playing in bac...