Majors Division
Modells/IslandWide Medical River Sharks vs. Tudor Advisory Group/ Lifetouch Tigers
Following Merillon’s 62nd annual opening day parade, the River Sharks were eager to play baseball. Matt Merolla, Vincenzo Montoni and Daniel Loughlin; the senior members of the team were poised and ready to lead the way for the rookie players that have never played 50/70 baseball.
Anthony Agerenza made his debut on the mound and pitched two strong innings and left the mound with a 6 to 1 lead. The Tigers battled back and tied the game at 6-6 after three innings. In the fourth, Joseph Montoni led a River Sharks rally with an infield hit. Daniel Loughlin followed with rope up the middle and Luke Notine advanced the runners into scoring position after dropping a perfectly executed bunt for an infield hit. Michael Song then hit a double in the left center field gap scoring 2.
The Tigers battled again taking the lead and were looking to add to it, but Tommy Goodwin came in middle relief to stop the rally and keep the River Sharks only two runs behind.
Joshua Henderson and Matteo Zeppieri started another rally in the top of the fifth but the Tigers were able to get out of the inning after a play at the plate. Down two in the sixth, Matt Merolla led off with a strong single to left. Anthony Agerenza then singled to center and both advanced with a double steal, leaving Tommy Goodwin with the tying run at second at the plate. Goodwin hit a rope to center scoring two, tying the game. Cenzo Montoni came in to keep the Tigers from having a walk off win and struck out the side preserving the tie for the River Sharks.
Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks vs. Islandwide Medical/Modells Rivers Sharks
On Tuesday April 14, the Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks opened their 2015 season against the Islandwide Medical/Modells Rivers Sharks. There was no shortage of offense as both teams put up three spots in the first inning. The Ducks got their feathers ruffled early as they trailed 3-0 before they had their first turn at bat, but battled back to earn a 4-3 victory.
Jimmy Weedon led off with a base hit, stole two bases and scored the first run of the season. Starting pitcher Adam Miller followed with a walk, stole two bases and scored the second run. Miller fanned five River Sharks in 4 1/3 innings to notch his first win of the season. A.J. DeVito was one for two with a solid single to drive in the go ahead run. DeVito came on in relief to slam the door striking out the two batters he faced earning his first save. Matty Heimowitz was also one for two ripping a solid single and driving in what proved to be the game-winning run. James Prado had a key hit that drove in a run and also scored a run in the Ducks big first inning.
Robbie Williams crushed a double, drove in the run that tied the game and was solid in the field. Nico Loguidice had two solid at bats. Stephen Lopez impressed early by hitting a rocket that was caught in deep center field and showed his skills playing multiple positions. Ellie Weitzman made his Ducks debut in fine fashion by belting a solid single and testing the arm of the River sharks catcher. James Dermezis was a warrior behind the plate and was equally as impressive with the bat. Alex Spagnoli led off the fourth by working out a key walk, stole a base and showed off his wheels by scoring the tying run. Ibrahim Kwaja anchored the Ducks lineup with a walk, a stolen base and scored what turned out to be the winning run.
Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks vs. Islandwide Medical/Modells Rivers Sharks
Game two on Saturday April 18 was a rematch between the Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks and the opened the Islandwide Medical/Modells Rivers Sharks. This game was a nail biter as the team’s were tied at two after six innings. A game saving play at the plate sent the game into extra innings. That was just the wake up call that the Ducks needed. In the seventh the Ducks scored six runs en route to an 8-2 final victory. The ducks were able to overcome every obstacle that was thrown their way.
Surprise starter James Prado was lights out for four innings. James fanned four batters and had quality at bats. Jimmy Weedon got the party started once again with a single, two stolen bases and scored the first run of the game. Weedon reached base two more times racking up another hit and another stolen base. Stephen Lopez reached base twice and turned in another solid performance in the field. A.J. DeVito reached base three times including a single and two RBIs including one on an unintentional walk. A.J. fanned five in three innings of relief to earn his first win of the season. Robbie Williams went 2-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and scored what turned out to be the winning run. Williams’ double ignited the six-run seventh inning. Adam Miller cracked a hard earned single in three at bats and played a strong game in both center and at first base.
Nico Loguidice reached base twice, stealing four bases and scoring two runs. Elie Weitzman scored a run, stole two bases and crushed a double to drive in two runs including the game winner. Ibrahim Kwaja came up with a clutch single in the seventh to drive in a run and later scored a insurance run. James Dermezis did a great job behind the plate, ripped a double driving in a run, stole two bases and scored an insurance run. Alex Spagnoli worked out two walks, stole a base and scored the last run of the game. Matty Heimowitz caught four solid innings, singled, had a sacrifice, drove in a run and had a game saving tag at the plate on a wild pitch.
Modells/IslandWide Medical RiverSharks vs. Dr. Zadnik Ducks
The RiverSharks second game featured the debut of three new pitchers; Luke Notine, Marc Baronci and Matt Merolla. Notine pitched two strong innings and was aided on the mound by outstanding defense by Joseph Montoni in right, Josh Henderson at second, Daniel Loughlin at short, Scott Mayer at first and Cenzo Montoni at third. Baronci gave up a few walks as he could not locate his fastball early but battled to strike out a pair of Ducks and retired the side after a diving play by Michael Song in left. Merolla retired the Ducks in the fifth by striking out the side and keeping the Sharks down by only two runs. After a base hit to center field by Anthony Agerenza, Tommy Goodwin advanced him to second. With two outs, Joseph Montoni singled to right-center, scoring Agerenza and bringing the Sharks within one run. With time running out due to darkness, the RiverSharks come up behind one run in their last at bat. Josh Henderson led off the inning with a hit and Matteo Zeppieri bunted him over to second before the Ducks brought their ace reliever to retire the side .
Minors Division
Charles Schwab Padres vs. ALbertson Herricks Pirates
The Charles Schwab Padres opened their 2015 campaign at Caemmerer Park in Albertson under sunny skies against the Albertson-Herricks Pirates. The weather seemed idyllic for baseball as Joseph Manfredi swatted a leadoff double and proceeded to steal third and home to give the Padres a quick 1-0 lead. However, the skies quickly turned dark and the wind began to howl as the Pirates answered back with five runs of their own. In the top of the third, Stephen Coffey and Alexander Zourides reached base and advanced on a double steal. Christian Thomas’ sacrifice knocked in a run and Mike O’Grady pounded an RBI-double to get the Padres within two, but that was as close as they would get. Despite the final score of 9-3 Pirates, the Padres put together a valiant effort and gave fans high expectations for the rest of the season.
UFC Gym Royals vs. Charles Schwab Padres
The 2015 chapter of the storied Royals-Padres rivalry began in the usual fashion with the two teams exchanging runs in the first inning. A.J. Ponzo’s RBI double drove in Duhan Lee to even the score at one. After the Royals answered with two of their own, the Padres came alive in the third. Mike O’Grady led off with a single and Isaiah Alix and Duhan Lee’s back to back walks loaded the bases. With two outs, Michael Manfredi crushed a grand slam to give the Padres the lead. Nicholas Gregory and Dev Patel contributed with fine defensive play and A.J. Ponzo and Joseph Manfredi added solid pitching. A good team effort all around by the Charles Schwab Padres .
Charles Schwab Padres vs. NHP Elks/Parker Jewish Rehab Dodgers
The Padres headed to Merillon Field in search of their first victory of the 2015 season and the NHP Elks- Parker Jewish Rehab Dodgers stood in the way. Once again, however, the Padre offense got going early on. Isaiah Alix, Duhan Lee and A.J. Ponzo loaded the bases for clean-up hitter Nicholas Gregory, who worked out an RBI base on balls to give the Padres a lead they would never relinquish. Standout offensive performances were turned in by Stephen Coffey with three RBIs and Michael O’Grady with two RBIs. Edward Dunn turned in some flawless glove work and proved to be tough as nails as he sacrificed his body for the good of the team by taking a fastball to the back with the bases loaded, ensuring the Padres win.
New Hyde Park Elks/Parker Jewish Rehab Center Dodgers kick off season
The Merillon Dodgers sponsored by the New Hyde Park Elks and Parker Jewish Rehab Center, kicked off their 2015 spring season with back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. Friday night’s game was a tough 11-4 loss to a strong Padres team. The Dodgers pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts on the night, but the game was called do to darkness, just as the team was putting together a strong scoring drive.
A new day dawned on Saturday, and the team showed up raring to go as they put together an impressive 16– 2 victory over the Giants. Dodger pitching, led by Anthony Strocchia, with 10 strikeouts in four innings, and Michael Merolla, with four strikeouts, combined to quiet the bats of the Giants. A big triple in the first inning by Ryan Kunak and a stellar defense at first base by Jon David Zebitsch were just a few of the many highlights of the game.
Farms Division
NHP Knights of Columbus/City Line Florist White Sox vs. Hand Rolled Bagels Brewers
The NHP K of C / City Line Florist White Sox played a great game against Hand Roll Bagels Brewers. Andrew Notine led the team off with a triple, followed by base hits by Jordan Johnson, Chris Notine, Lukas Rinaldi and Jason Stone. Also, with great pitching from Gabriel Schultz and great fielding from Aaron Chik, Rafael Garcia, John Saoulidis, Ryan Vitrano and Tristan Wang, the White Sox held the Brewers to only two runs.
