By The TimesLedger
Girls International Playoffs
GAME 1 — On June 13, the Glen Oaks Burger King Phillies defeated the Glen Oaks Dodgers in the first round of the Girls’ International Division playoffs, 7-4. Ellie Alexandrou pitched an outstanding game for the Phillies, striking out eight of the nine batters she faced in three scoreless innings. Younger sister Theo Alexandrou helped the Phillies cause with two hits and Courtney Gratzer got a key hit in the top of the sixth inning, as well as making several outstanding plays at second base during the game. Also making key defensive plays were first baseman Julia Hannigan and third baseman Kaitlin Smolen.
Colleen Harrison and Caileigh O’Rourke each reached base twice by drawing walks to keep Phillies’ rallies going. Sara Correa also walked twice.
Ashley Doran pitched the final three innings for the Phillies and knocked in two runs with a hit in the fourth inning.
Their win enabled the Phillies to move on to the semifinals of the playoffs.
GAME 2 — In the 2nd round of the Girls International Division playoffs, the Glen Oaks Burger King Phillies defeated the girls from Mineola, 10-4. Both Ellie Alexandrou and Ashley Doran pitched well for the Phillies.
Leading the hitting attack was third baseman Kaitlin Smolen, who got a key hit with the bases loaded in the third inning when the Phillies pulled ahead with four runs. Also with key hits were Julia Hannigan, Shannon Vetack, Colleen Harrison and catcher Theo Alexandrou, who had two. Sara Correa managed to get on base twice on walks and scored the Phillies’ ninth run in the top of the sixth inning.
Defensively, outfielder Caileigh O’Rourke made a great throw to second base in the first inning to get out the runner and end the inning just before a run would have scored. Shortstop Rita Romeo also made a great defensive play.
The victory earned the Phillies the right to represent the league in the division championship game.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — On Sunday, June 23, the Glen Oaks Burger King Phillies played the girls from New Hyde Park 1 for the championship in the Girls International Division. The game was held at Michael Nuzzi field in New Hyde Park.
New Hyde Park scored first in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1- 0 lead. More runs might have scored, but Cristina Fristachi made a great throw from the outfield, which was relayed to the plate on another great throw by third baseman Kaitlin Smolen to catcher Theo Alexandrou, who tagged out the runner.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning, the Phillies took a 3-2 lead on hits by Ashley Doran, Rita Romeo and Courtney Gratzer.
But in the bottom of the fifth, New Hyde Park scored three runs and held on to win the game 5-3, despite only getting three hits off the combined Phillies pitching of Ellie Alexandrou, Ashley Doran and Rita Romeo. New Hyde Park played a great defensive game with several key put outs by their infielders.
For the Phillies, Jessie Olwell was 1-for-1 with a walk, getting a hard smash in the top of the fifth inning. Rita Romeo was 2-for-2 with a triple. Kaitlin Smolen, Courtney Gratzer and Shannon Vetack also got hits.
Thus ended an exciting year for the Phillies, the Cinderella team of the Division, who won the first two playoff games only to come up just short in the final game. Phillies Manager Bill Smolen is already looking forward to next year with only two of his players scheduled to move up and out of the division.
Queens Surface Rockies end season
The Queens Surface Rockies ended their Merillon season in Port Washington on Thursday, June 13, as overpowering pitching allowed Port to overcome an early Rockies’ lead and their Glen Oaks rivals 6-3 in a tightly pitched game. Nicole Epstein, despite outstanding pitching for the Queens Surface Rockies, took the complete game loss, striking out 12, walking seven, hitting two, allowing only one hit and one earned run. Nicole also starred at the plate, driving in two of the three Rockies’ runs on a triple and a double and stealing three bases. Four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning allowed Port to take a 5-2 lead that the Rockies were not able to overcome against Port’s outstanding windmilling pitcher.
The tight game was not without highlights, including catcher Marisa Bearak’s first-inning throw to Alexis Namit to nail a Port runner attempting to steal second. Alexis, after reaching base the inning before to open the game, stole three consecutive bases to lead of the scoring. Gina Scali made another fine play in left field. Jessica Gauthier scored the second and third Rockies’ runs. Melisa Ritchie and Lorey Giblin each had a hit. The score failed to indicate how close the game was. Two Rockies were called out on close plays at home.
Glen Oaks boys make championship round
The M & M Deli Angels played themselves into the championship round of the 14-year-old Queens Junior Baseball Alliance with the undefeated Immaculate Conception Cubs. With the temperature in the uppers 80s, the M & M Deli Angels played their best game of the season.
Playing on the Cubs’ home field, the M & M Deli Angels struck early. After a scoreless first inning, Anthony Costanzo, Greg Conway and Sean Wheeler led off the second inning with back-to-back singles to load the bases. Ross Kruczowy’s walk gave the Angels the 1-0 lead. Brian Kelleher executed a perfect squeeze bunt to score the second run. A single by Frank Sadicario and an infield out by Josh Kozlovsky put the Angels ahead, 4-0. Joey Hannigan’s single completed the inning and gave the Angels a 5-0 lead.
In the fifth inning with a 5-2 lead, the Angels added much needed insurance runs. Singles by Kozlovsky and Hannigan were followed by a double by Joey Medina. However, a great relay throw nailed Hannigan at the plate. Anthony Costanzo picked that run up with a single to score Medina and increase the lead to 7-2. That was all Angels’ pitcher Joey Medina needed. Medina was in control all the way.
The Cubs chipped home a run in the sixth to close the gap to 7-3. The seventh and final inning saw the Cubs close to 7-4 with runners on second and third with one out. A fly ball headed for the left-center gap was run down by Tom McCarthy and things then got interesting. McCarthy threw a strike to home to nail the runner tagging from third, but the ball hit the runner’s foot and he scored to make it 7-5. Catcher Greg Conway alertly picked the ball up and threw to Costanzo at third to nail the runner from second and seal the victory for the Angels.
Medina pitched a complete game, striking out six, walking only two and allowing just five hits to the hard-hitting Cubs. The M & M Deli Angles now play Queen of Peace in a three-game series for the QJBA 14-year-old division championship.
Mets move into finals
Ralph’s Ices Mets played their first playoff game against the Modell’s Lions with the winner advancing to the championship series. The Mets came out ready to play and dominated the Lions, winning 16-4. Kevin Salcedo started and pitched five scoreless innings for the Mets, striking out 14, while Brian Biscotti pitched the last two innings, striking out four.
Offensively, the Mets were led by Ray Potestio, who went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer. Anthony Civitano was 3-for-4 with four RBIs, Ryan Paroulek tripled, Daniel Quinlan doubled and both Brian Louie and Alexander Delgado had run-scoring singles. The Lions’ offense was powered by a grand slam home run off the bat of Vincent Pistone.
The championship series pitted the Mets against the Astros. Both teams had excellent seasons, going 14-2 and in the two previous meetings the Mets won 4-1 and 4-3. Game one was not to be a repeat of the season series though. Jeremy Hausdorf went to the mound for the Astros and threw perhaps the most dominating game of the Major Division season. Jeremy allowed and infield single to Anthony Civitano, who stole second, third and home, a single to Ryan Paroulek and walked Brian Biscotti, while striking out 14 Mets. The Astros’ offense was led by Jonathan Dupuy’s two home runs, as they now lead the best of three series 1-0.
Marlins shine in last game
The International Haircutters Marlins blossomed at their last game on Monday night in New Hyde Park, as they took on New Hyde Park. Sara Garcia, Megan Frary and Shannon Liesner got base hits, while Andrea Castillo, Stacy Paickatty hit fly balls just inside the infield. With put outs at second base by Nicole Guglielmetti, Kristen Holt also shined defensively at shortstop. Priyal Sakhuja also played well in the field. Coach Tim Frary said the Marlins worked hard this year and it was nice to see them enjoy playing the game.
