On Monday, July 30, the two (2) Mineola 10u baseball teams (Team Solosky) met their intra-town rivals…..the other Mineola 10u team! (Team Othman). The teams met at Willis Ave field for the showdown and bragging rights to be called the champions of Mineola 10u summer baseball!
In a well-played game by both sides, Team Solosky prevailed 8-5. Team Solosky utilized five pitchers to nail down the victory; Patrick Solosky, Jimmy Tighe, Steven Collica, Zach Buongiovanni and Ryan “lights out” Loughlin. The boys allowed only four hits and spread the runs out over several innings.
On offense, every Mineola Team Solosky player made it on base through a hit or a walk. Zach Buongiovanni plated two RBI’s with a bases loaded double. Kenny Solosky was 1-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Kieran O’Gara, Vincent Aidala, Mike Librandi and Dominic Ferreira all scored runs or had an RBI.
The defense was sharp with Ryan Burke, making a nice play on a towering infield fly to end a bases loaded threat. Zach Buongiovanni and Patrick Solosky made the defensive play of the day. With the bases loaded in the final inning, Team Othman was ready to break out for a big inning. Already having scored two runs making it 8-5, the bases were loaded. A line drive between Buongiovanni and Patrick Solosky looked like a sure hit. Buongiovanni dove to his right and Solosky dove to his left. It was clear the ball was caught but in the ensuing tangle of players, it was not clear who caught it! Buongiovanni proudly displayed the ball to the umpire ending the game on a spectacular play.
The Team Othman offense was lead by Wyatt Davis and Riley Adrat (1-2, triple). Adrat also made a nice sliding catch on a sharply hit ball to right preventing a sure extra base hit.
On Saturday, July 28, the Mineola 10u summer baseball team had the good fortune of being treated to a hitting clinic by Kellenberg Memorial High School JV baseball coach Eddie Proctor. Eddie Proctor is a 2008 graduate of Kellenberg High School and a Mineola Athletic Association Alumni. Coach Proctor still plays active baseball with the Long Island Firebirds, which consist of former Kellenberg baseball players. Coach Proctor worked individually with each player, correcting mistakes and provides tips on hitting. “I love working with young ball players and it is very special to come back to the fields where I started and now teaching. It is a great feeling”. The boys really enjoyed the hitting clinic and are anxious to give their newly learned skills to the test; on the field! Coach Proctor also gave a talk on pitching. All the boys were eagerly listening and anxious to get on the mound! Coach Ken Solosky is grateful for the hitting clinic by Ed Proctor. “I love having a guest instructor with the experience and skill that Eddie brought to our clinic. The players respond well to his teaching and insight and hopefully it translates to the field with some big hits!” commented Solosky.
