By The TimesLedger
The Nick & Maggie’s Braves defeated Marcella’s Pizza Orioles, 10-2, in the season opener for both teams on Saturday at the Glen Oaks Oval. Braves starter Mike Kaplan pitched three strong innings to record his first win. Kaplan allowed only one run on two hits, striking out nine batters, while walking only one. Jeremy Goldberg, Gabe Gomez and Tyler Brodney each pitched an inning in relief for the Braves. Cadie Chu pitched five innings for the Orioles, notching five strikeouts.
Jonathan Louie had a key two-out single with the bases loaded in the first inning to earn a game ball for the Braves’ victory. Vladimir David and Jon Dupuy each had two hits and homered for the Braves. Arnab Mitra also had two hits in the game. Brian Louie made a nice stop on a hard hit ball by the Orioles’ John Rubenau and Peter Yacoub’s relay throw helped cut down Joey Faith at the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning as Faith tried to stretch his long triple into a home run. Josh Snider also contibuted to the Braves’ team effort.
The New Hyde Park Wireless Diamondbacks opened the season with a close game against the dreaded Yankees. After slipping behind 2-0, the D-backs dug in and got hits from Albert Marin, Billy Gillespie and Kevin Cheddie to cut the lead to one. Again, giving up two more runs only made the D-backs play harder. This time it was Mohammed Hashim and Randall Cruz with the bats and the gloves. Hashim stroked in an RBI in the thirrd inning and threw out the speedy Frankie Sadicario while he was trying to steal second base in the sixth inning. Cruz kept the home team close by making not just one, but two sensational catches in center field. He also scored after a lead off walk in the second inning. Kevin Cheddie threw sensational shut out ball for three innings while striking out seven, including the side in the last inning. But when the smoke cleared, the Yanks had slipped away with the 4-3 victory. These two teams will meet again on April 21 and finish up against each other on the first day of May.
