The Kiwanis Club Merillon Bolts won their second straight Major League Championship by defeating Mineola, 8-7, in a nail-biter, finishing with an undefeated 13-0 record. This was a total team effort, with a line up of 15 girls.
The Bolts took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first with Michelle Lee walking and Jillian Cooper singling before Daniella Connor got a RBI force out and Lauren Wasserman singled to center.
Mineola tied the game in the top of the second, but Wasserman shut down Mineola in the top of the third inning and held Mineola to two more runs the next two innings while striking out five batters.
The Bolts’ bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth after Sabani Polce drew a walk when Michelle Lee and Jillian Cooper got base hits to tie the game at 4. Connor had an RBI singled and Katie Stoyer got the fifth run across with an infield hit.
With the Bolts ahead 7-4 in the top of the sixth inning, Connor came in to close the game, but gave up three runs to tie the game at 7-7 before Bridget Koenig threw a runner out from second base and Connor struck out the last two batters to end Mineola’s rally.
The Bolts have come from behind several time this year, so this was nothing new being tied going into the last inning. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Polce and Lee walked both stole bases to put runners on second and third, setting up Cooper. Cooper beat out and infield hit, allowing Polce to score from third, setting off a wild Mineola celebration.
Everyone on this team contributed this year, with Julia White, CeCe Schnall, Samantha Grenard, Gabriella Ranieri, Katie Stoyer, Haylie Lempert, Michella Giur, Joanna Vissichelli, Lauren Valencia and Bridget Koenig all providing key contributions throughout the season.
The Co MVP’s of the Championship game were Polce, with two stolen bases and scoring two big runs and Cooper with the game tying hit and getting the second game-winning hit in the last two playoff games. Connor was the MVP of the season, going 13-0 for the season as the starting pitcher and striking out more than 40 batters.
Merillon Athletic Association
All Star Day
The Merillon Athletic Association held its 2nd annual All-Star Day Saturday. The skies were blue and the stands full of proud friends and family as the young men of the Farms Division lined up for the National Anthem on Merillon field No, 1.
The American League, consisting of Alan Sikora, Thomas Gaudio, Hunter Dunn, Ryan McPartland, Bobby Symanski, Christian Thomas, Michael Merolla, Angelo Malandruccolo, Matthew Capelle, Jack Puvogel, Ethan Goldberg and John Stanko took an early lead behind timely hitting and heads up base running. Symanski, and Merolla managed to keep the bases empty while Cappelle, and Sikora allowed only five passengers on the bags, none crossing the plate.
The National League stars, Jesse Tricario, Michael Duda, Aedan Cotter, Ethan Vo, Andrew Notine, Sanjay Shah, Stephen Coffey, Brian O’Conner, Michael Manfreddi, Ryan Wang, Dylan Colon and Michael O’Grady staged a late inning comeback. Hurlers Vo and Cotter baffled opposing hitters with off-speed pitces. O’Grady,Colon and Notine reached safely while Coffey singled pushing across a run to load the bases.
The National Leaguers threatened for more before American League relievers McPartland and Thomas could extinguish the fire and secure a victory. A special thank you to Reva Energy LLC, Evolution Realty, Cityline Florist, Virgilio Chiropractic, Ridgewood Savings Bank and Massage Envy Spa for making this season a resounding and memorable success.
The Minors division had an outstanding all-star appearance, defeating the Albertson Herricks Little League All Stars. The team was led by lights-out pitching by James Asmus, Jimmy Weedon and Ryan Wasserman, while Brendan Cooper and Kenny Hirschfeld shared the catching duties. Ryan Kunak and Luke Notine also had outstanding days in the field along with Marco Gullo and Garret Roth. Hitting was provided by Anthony Agerenza, Jimmy Weedon and Scott McLellan and James Prado, as Merillon put 14 runs on the board to be crowned as this years All-Star Champions
That same day the Majors Division closed out their spring intermural season. The American League Cycoducks and the National League River Bears met in the Merillon Majors pre-summer classic All-Star game.
The visiting River Bears fielded an impressive lineup. Representing the River Sharks were Stephen Farishian, Alessandro Gullo, Nick Levkulic, Matt Merolla, Cenzo Montoni, and Ian Myer. The Bears players were Marc Baronci, Ryan Gaudio. C.J. Riccobono, Phil Schurr, Matthew Strocchia and Daniel Vilbig.
The home team Cycoducks had a equally impressive squad. Representing the Ducks were Chris Bruccoleri, Abidin Dauti, A.J. De Vito, Mike Jacobs, Martin Lev and Justin Tamara. The Cyclones players were Chris Carbone, Daniel Goldberg, Spencer Horowitz, Eric Madenberg, Jordan Seidenberg and Yanni Vlantis.
The River Bears jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on consecutive hits by Nick Levkulic, Matt Merolla and C.J. Riccobono. This threesome did most of the damage combining for six hits and two runs scored in nine at bats. Nick and Matt turned in spectacular plays in the infield while C.J. was rock solid all day long. Cenzo Montoni got the starting nod and pitched two solid innings fanning three. Cenzo was one for one at the plate with a run scored. Matthew Strocchia and Alessandro Gullo threw some heat to close out the remaining three innings on the mound. Phil Schurr was a warrior behind the dish catching all five innings. Phil made solid contact in all three of his at bats. Ryan Gaudio smacked a deep fly ball to right and reached base on a free pass. Daniel Vilbig crushed a single to drive in the River Bears third run while reaching base in both of his at bats. Ian Myer, Stephen Farishian and Marc Baronci all turned in solid at bats for the River Bears.
The Cycoducks had to scratch their runs out in the early innings. Chris Carbone got party started with a solid single in the first inning and plated his team’s first run. Daniel Goldberg was two for three with an RBI and scored what turned out to be the game winning run. Daniel came on in relief in the sixth to record the final three outs and seal the victory. A.J. De Vito went 1-for-3 and stole both third and home to tie the game. A.J. also pitched a solid inning in relief to earn the victory.
Mike Jacobs earned his start in this contest, tossing two innings and fanning two. Jordan Seidenberg was most impressive on the mound fanning two of the three batters he faced. Jordan also scored a run in his team’s five run fifth. Abidin Dauti pulled another Houdini act on the mound. After loading the bases, Abidin struck out the last two batters looking to hold down the one run lead. Yanni Vlantis used his blinding speed to beat out a hit and start his team’s late inning explosion. Yanni scored the first insurance run and played solid defense.
A less than 100 percent Eric Madenberg still went one for two and also played solid defense. Justin Tamara caught all six innings and used his cannon arm to cut down two huge stolen base attempts. Chris Bruccoleri reached base twice including a single and run scored. Chris also made a tremendous catch running down a fly ball from his first base position. Martin Lev went two for two crushing two singles. Martin scored and drove in two runs while playing gold glove defense. Spencer Horowitz had two doubles, drove in three runs and scored the last run of the game. Spencer was named the game’s MVP for his All-Star performance from the 12th spot in the lineup.
A special thanks to all who organized, played, coached and attended this wonderful game.
The Merillon Athletic Association would like to thank its sponsors for a successful spring season: Applebees, New Hyde Park, City Line Florist, Dominick’s Italian Deli, Dr. Barbaro, DPM, Hand Rolled Bagels, Island Wide Medical Associates, Margaret Zadnik DDS Orthodontics, New Hyde Park Elks, New Hyde Park Knights of Columbus #2852, Newman Orthodontics, Reva Energy, Ridgewood Savings Bank – 2435, Tudor Advisory Group, Virgilio Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Sage Commodities, Sportography, Evolution Realty, Massage Envy, Stutsmann Funeral Home, SAI Insurance, Parker Jewish Institute, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Green Coast Oil and NHP Kiwanis.
