By Dylan Butler
The Queensborough baseball season came to an end Saturday, when the Tigers fell to Dutchess Community College, 9-0, at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue in the Region XV tournament.
But just two days removed from the finale, QCC coach Craig Everett is still amazed at how quickly his team improved from 10-14 in 2002 to 26-12 and a CUNY title in 2003.
“I think it's been an incredible, outstanding year,” Everett said. “It's a huge accomplishment compared to last year. I didn't know we'd be this good this fast.”
And with only four sophomores leaving, an even stronger season next year is expected.
“We played 38 games, and we still had 16 canceled because of weather,” Everett said. “Next year I anticipate playing those games. We play a pretty tough non-region schedule, and I expect us to be competitive every season. Our goals are set pretty high.”
The Region XV tournament started out great for Queensborough, which beat Ulster Community College, 15-0, in a mercy-rule shortened three innings May 6.
Former Van Buren standout Brian Berg went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and three RBIs, Roger Mischel out of Bayside High School went 2-for-2 with a double, a triple and an RBI, and Francis Lewis grad Mario Santiago didn't allow a hit and struck out five in three innings for fourth-seeded Queensborough.
The Tigers advanced to the double-elimination final four to face top-seeded Suffolk-Selden Friday, but for the first time all season Mischel was touched up as he gave up three home runs en route to an 8-2 win.
Berg hit a solo home run in the third inning for Queensborough, which struggled to solve Gary Schor, who allowed one earned run, nine hits, one walk and struck out two for Suffolk (26-2).
“We hit the ball hard, but right at their guys,” Everett said. “They hit the ball hard and found holes. Roger gave up three home runs, but he didn't pitch that bad, he didn't walk anyone. The score doesn't indicate how close the game really was.”
A day later Queensborough fell to Dutchess, 9-0, as B.J. Budd went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored, Dan Arnold was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, and Anthony Shalo belted a triple and scored a run for Dutchess (23-8), which rallied to win the Region XV title.
“Even against Dutchess we didn't make too many mistakes,” Everett said. “They sprayed the ball all around the field, and they had seven lefties in their lineup and they matched up well against (Santiago).”
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by email at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
