The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks were flying high as they defeated the Hand Rolled Bagels Merillon Cyclones by the score of 4-1 to capture the 2014 Majors Division championship. This was another game dominated by superb pitching and gold glove defense. Fittingly these two teams played both the first and the last games of the spring season.
Justin Tamara was a warrior behind the plate and also got on a base and scored to leadoff the game for the second time in two playoff games. Justin’s 3-for-3 performance blazed the trail in both the first and last innings of the big game.
A.J. DeVito stole a base, scored the championship winning run and was the defensive star of the game. A.J. was involved in all five outs that were put in play. Adrian Balkcom was rock solid behind the plate and went 2-for-3, driving in three of the four Ducks’ runs, including the game winner, and scored the fourth.
Abidin Dauti saved his best at bat for last, driving in the final run of the game to open up a three-run lead.
Michael Jacobs was 1-for-2 at the plate, while recording 11 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings to earn the victory. He was dominant all day long, leaving everything he had out on the mound.
Chris Bruccoleri was locked in at the plate once again, collecting another hit to finish the playoffs with a 500 average. He was very aggressive at the plate and it was clear to everyone that he was a man on a mission.
Jared Puntus did all that was asked of him. He was patient and worked out walks in both of his plate appearances and was solid in the field, recording two put outs in the first inning.
Mike Castelli, Nico Loguidice and Ian Tsao had quality at bats, hitting ball on the screws and helping to wear out the opposition. Martin Lev took some mighty swings and stretched out at first base in a great effort to take away an infield hit. Ibrahim Khwaja ripped a single up the middle used his speed to circle the bases.
Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks 3, The Modells/Evolution Realty Merillon River Sharks 1.
Pitching and defense dominated this one, as the Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks defeated The Modells/Evolution Realty Merillon River Sharks to advance to the championship game.
Mike Jacobs got the nod on the hill and was dominant in all four innings that he pitched, fanning six Sharks and allowing one unearned run to register the win. His pitch selection kept the Sharks out of the water for most of the day.
Abidin Dauti was also equal to the task, pitching two innings and recording all six outs via strikeout to earn the save. Abidin stole a base and scored a key insurance run in the top of the sixth.
Adrian Balkcom ripped two doubles and drove in the insurance run. Adrian also stole a base and was a warrior behind the plate surviving a tremendous collision to record the out that ended the inning. Ibrahim Khwaja and Ian Tsao both battled mightily during their at bats. Ian turned in a web gem snagging a fly ball in right field to end the first inning.
Chris Bruccoleri bolstered the lineup and had a real solid game, smashing an opposite field single, stealing a base and scoring what proved to be the game-winning run. Bruccoleri also snagged a high fly ball while patrolling center field.
Nico Loguidice made the most of his at bats, ripping a double in the second inning to drive in what proved be the game-winning run. Justin Tamara got the party started with a leadoff walk, stole two bases, including home, and was solid behind the plate. Jared Puntus and A.J. DeVito both battled mightily at the plate and turned in solid defensive performances
