Texas League
In a well played game by both teams, the Yankees defense sparkled with excellent fielding by Anthony Samela, Tyler Ruiz and an exciting pop-up catch in the final inning by a diving Darren Minsky at the pitcher’s mound The entire Yankee line-up swung the bat well with everyone getting a hit. Special mention goes to the improved swings of Zachary Rosenblum, Aaron Geffen, Alex Ligas and Darren Minsky.
St. Anastasia had their fans on their feet in the final inning with some well hit balls. All-around great play was turned in by the veterans Frank McNamara, Matt McGarry, Daniel Brink and Joseph Chong, along with rookies Sam Cousin, Joseph DeRage, Shaun Loiz and Nick Inglese.
David Z. Video Mets 5, Prudential L.I. Realty Yankees 4. In an exciting, evenly-matched game with five lead changes, the Mets prevailed with the winning hit coming off the bat of Anthony Zullo while down the last out. Also swinging the bat well was Anthony Angello (two hits, two RBIs) and Mike D’Elia (three hits). But the offensive highlight was Allison Randell’s first career base hit. The big defensive gloves were on the hands of Evan Zimmern, Josh Samet and Girgarakas Vassili, who did a great job as catcher.
The Yankees’ runs were stroked off the bats of Tyler Ruiz and James Ortega, who each had two hits and two RBIs. Also swinging a hot bat were Corey Still (three hits) and Anthony Samela (two hits). On the defensive end, Anthony Bradica was kept busy at first with several key putouts and Alex Ligas did his usual solid job at second, fielding a tough pop up.
Major League
DAC Cascarino’s Yankees 9, DAC EMS Mets 5. The Yankees opened up their season with a win over the Mets with pitcher Matt DiGirolomo striking out 11 in the first four innings. Kevin Brown closed out the last two innings, striking out six.
Anthony Roveto led the offense with two home runs and three RBIs; DiGirolomo hit one home run; and Johnny Liquori, Kenny Pinto, Rob Liquori, Jeremy Geller, Brennan Hughes and Josh Ramirez had one hit apiece.
For the Mets, pitcher Mike Zirpoli pitched four innings, gave up two runs and struck out four. Michael Manatrizo made two outstanding catches in the outfield.
Cascarino’s Yankees 3, Whitestone Hardware Pirates 2. The Yankees won this pitching duel that went extra innings. For the Yankees, Liquori pitched the first four innings, striking out nine.
For the Pirates, Steve Cervino pitched four innings, striking out nine. The game was won in the top of the seventh, when DiGirolomo led off with a triple and Brown knocked in the winning run with a base hit. Outstanding defense in the field came from Pinto, Geller and Johnny Liquori. Catcher DiGirolomo threw out three Pirate base stealers.
Whitestone Hardware Pirates 11, Jamaica Exxon Angels 1. The Whitestone Hardware Pirates played their first doubleheader of the season. In the first game, Izzy Klein went the distance, allowing one run and striking out seven.
The offense was spurred by David Blauner with an RBI single in the first inning and a grand slam home run in the fourth. Also contributing to the offense were Evan Eisner and Klein.
Whitestone Hardware Pirates 9, EMS Memorial Fund Mets 0. Cervino pitched a shutout for the Pirates, striking out nine Mets. Justin Black, the lead-off batter, scored three times. Joey Palazollo, Bill Frawley and Klein each had hits.
Cascarino’s Yankees 10, EMS Memorial Fund Mets 3. Yankees pitcher DiGirolomo had another outstanding performance, striking out 11 in five innings. Brown closed out the game with three strikeouts.
Roveto led the offense with two home runs, a triple and four RBIs. DiGirolomo had two hits, a home run and a single, and Marlon Brower had two hits. Pinto, Jessica Bonfondeu, Brown, Ramirez and Ian Salzbury each had a hit.
For the Mets, Andrew Gross pitched three innings, striking out seven. Alberto Perez had a home run, and Manatrizo had two hits.
