The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks recorded their first win of the season in fine fashion with a 4-0 victory over the Merillon Cyclones on April 17.
A.J. DeVito got the party started again by going 2-for-3, stealing a base and scoring two runs. He also sparkled in the field. Abidin Dauti threw four scoreless innings, striking out 10 and allowing one hit. Another pitching gem for “Ace” Dauti. Justin Tamara had a hit, scored a run and was solid behind the plate and in center field. Martin Lev showed signs of breaking out at the plate and Nico Loguidice raised his play to the next level. Nico collected a hit, stole two bases and was money with the glove. Mike Castelli anchored the lineup. Mike Jacobs smashed two hits and made his Ducks pitching debut and struck out two in the fifth and pitching out of trouble, earning his first save of the season.
Adrian Balkcom had a huge day at the plate and behind it. Adrian banged out three hits, had two RBIs, scored a run and stole a base. He also threw out a runner out who was trying to steal third. Adam Miller ripped a double with two strikes to drive in the final two runs of the game. Adam also flashed some leather at first and slapped down a quick tag on the runner caught stealing at third.
The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks dropped the back end of a two game series with the Merillon Cyclones on April 19. The 7-3 final was not indicative of how close of a game it was.
A.J. DeVito led the hit parade for the third straight game, collecting two more hits, with an RBI and a stolen base. Justin Tamara had a hit and scored a run and was solid behind the plate and in center field. Mike Jacobs pitched two quality innings in relief against a tough line up. Adam Miller struck out two batters in two plus innings. Adam also was money in the field. Adrian Balkcom struck out four in two plus innings of relief. Adrian also drove in a run. Abidin Dauti had a hit, drove in a run and played stellar defense in center field. Nico Loguidice had two quality at bats battling and making solid contact. Mike Castelli had his best game of the season. Mike reached base twice, stole a base and scored a run. Marty Lev anchored the lineup and scored a run in three quality at bats.
Reva Energy, LLC./ Evolution Realty Royals at Virgilio Chiropractic Wellness Padres
The 2014 Virgilio Chiropractic Wellness Padres’ campaign began on a sunny, wind-swept evening against their biggest rivals, the Reva Energy, Llc./ Evolution Realty Royals. Using the same formula from past Padre teams, the current team received valuable contributions from the entire lineup. Flawless defense was provided by Nicholas Gregory, Ryan Wang, Aniketh Kumar and Peter Duignan. Brian O’Connor, Michael Manfredi and Michael O’Grady silenced the big Royal bats with power pitching performances each. On the offensive side, Dylan Colon smashed an RBI double and promptly stole third, Joseph Manfredi was 2-for-2 with an RBI and three stolen bases and seasoned veteran Stephen Coffey crushed his first home run of the year while going 2-for-3 and swiping 2 bags.
New Hyde Park Elk’s Bears vs. Margret Zandeck Ducks
The Bears were led by a dominant performance by Peter Carreca, pitching five hitless innings while striking out 14. The defense was led by catcher Phil Schurr, who called a gem of a game. Matt Strocchia came in for the last inning to shut the Ducks down in order. Stephen Derocchis, Marc Baronci, Dylan Hod, Frankie Sanuuti and Richard Kanters played good defense. The hitting was led by Phil Schurr with three RBIs and Peter Carreca with a triple, single and RBI. Daniel Vilbig smacked a sharp liner up the middle and Ryan Gaudio ripped a single, Alfred Squarino, Marc Baronci, Richard Kanters and Dylan McNulty had Strong at bats. The New Hyde Park Elk’s Bears won a well played game by both teams.
City Line Florist Braves vs. Padres
It was a tough opening day for the Braves as they fell to the Padres, 11-2. Alan Sikora got the opening day start and pitched well in two innings. Thomas Gaudio had a two-run double in the bottom of the first that tied the game, but that was as close as the Braves would get. Anthony Strocchia tried getting a late-inning rally started when he singled in the sixth and stole second and third, but Peter Lekargeren, who was 1-for-3 in the game with a run scored and a stolen base, was robbed by the Padres’ Brian O’Connor, who caught a screaming line drive to end the game.
