Merillon AA: Bears battle Cyclones in Farm Division

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Boys Farms Division

The New Hyde Park Elk’s Bears vs. Hand Rolled Bagels Cyclones. The Bears were led on offense by Peter Carreca with a single and triple, Matt Stroccia hit a hard single. Stephen Derocchis reached base twice and had three steals. The pitching was strong for the Bears, led by Daniel Vilbig with four strikeouts. Matt Strocchia held down the powerful Cyclones offense. Gold gloves go to Alfred Squrruino, Peter Carreca, Phil Schurr, Marc Baronci and Matt Strocchia. 

Evolution Realty/Reva Energy Royals vs. Cityline Florist Braves. The Evolution Realty/Reva Energy Royals supporters were not disappointed, as Michael Merolla fanned six Cityline Florist Braves. Christian Thomas and Jesse Rogendorf each had two hits a piece. Bobby Symanski led the top of the fourth with a solo home run to tack on a run. Francessco Vecchio, Luccio Zepperi, Johhny Rogendorf, Domenico and Charlie Newburgh made great plays in the field to keep the Braves scoreless through five innings. 

Virgilio Chiropractic Wellness Padres vs. Ridgewood Savings Bank Dodgers. The Virgilio Chiropractic Wellness Padres continued their “Ground and Pound” offensive ways in a darkness-shortened game against the Ridgewood Savings Bank Dodgers. Put into the lead-off spot for the first time this season, Peter Duignan responded by ripping a single to right to begin the hit parade. Dylan Colon and Joseph Manfredi contributed clutch hits, while Stephen Coffey and Michael O’Grady each homered and combined to drive in six. Michael Manfredi mixed up speeds and location to throw two scoreless innings, Nicholas Gregory continued his wizardry at second base and Aniketh Kumar showed grit while recording a game-saving out at first base.

Virgilio Chiropractic Wellness Padres vs. Evolution Realty/Reva Energy Royals. The Royals’ pitchers cooled off the previously hot Padre bats. The lone Padre run came off Stephen Coffey’s single and subsequent two stolen bases followed by  Dylan Colon’s perfectly placed sacrifice up the first base line. But that was all the offense that the Padres could muster in the second.  Joseph Manfredi led off the third by lacing a single to right (and promptly stole second and third).  Aniketh Kumar followed by getting hit on the arm and taking first.  Aniketh then stole the first of his two stolen bases, but the rally fizzled.  Ryan Wang returned from a two-game absence to provide two strong innings behind the plate, while Nicholas Gregory and Peter Duignan rotated between second and third base. Michael O’Grady pitching a perfect inning. 

Boys Minors Division

Dr. Thomas Barbaro Podiatrist/ Parker Jewish Institute Rays 9, Stutzmann & Son Funeral Home/ Tudor Advisory Group Giants 8. The Rays pulled off a late-inning win thanks to a walk-off, run-scoring bunt single by speedy Luke Notine. Luke also contributed earlier with another single and later scored. Other offensive stars include James Prado, who reached base twice and later scored both times and Anthony Agerenza, who had two hits and two runs scored. Josh Henderson had the big blast of the game with a three-run homer Scott McClellan pitched threw effective innings, only giving up two runs and had a bunt single also. Vinay Patel pitched a masterful last inning to get the win and added a single as well. Backing up the pitchers with outstanding defense were William Vasilakos, who also singled, Sanketh Kumar, who also scored a run, and Arjun Bhatt. Marco Gullo handled the pitching staff masterfully behind the plate and Christian Flynn, Alex Isopo and Sebestian Lennox had outstanding performances in the outfield. 

Even in defeat Kenny Hirschfeld played well for the Merillon Giants, racking up four RBIs on one hit. Duhan Lee pitched two good innings but his defense fell a little short behind him. Duhan only allowed one hit. In the top of the fourth Kenny lined a grand slam homer to tie the game for the Giants.  In the top of the fifth Michael Paladino hit a solid liner that almost broke an 8-8 tie with two runners in scoring position.  At the end of the day the Giants came up just one run short in a great game from both teams. The defensive MVPs of the game for the Giants were Joseph Montoni and Stephen Lopez.

Dr. Thomas Barbaro Podiatrist/ Parker Jewish Institute Rays 16,  SAI Insurance Pirates 4. The bats were red hot for the Dr. Thomas Barbaro Podiatrist/ Parker Jewish Institute Rays as they out hit the Pirates.. The top of the batting order was scorching, as both Luke Notine and Scott McClellan each had three hits. James Prado was the star of the game providing slick fielding at shortstop, throwing out a runner at home trying to score, and chipping in with two hits while scoring three runs. Anthony Agerenza reached base twice and provided solid defense behind the plate and at first base, as well. Josh Henderson could not be cooled off, getting two hits, including a triple, and later stole home. Luke and Marco Gullo each pitched three solid innings in the win. Alex Isopo reached base three times and scored one run. William Vasilakos continued his hot hitting, singling and scoring once. Rookie sensation Sanketh Kumar reached base twice and scored both times. Sebestian Lennox also helped out on offense, singling and scoring. Providing solid defense was Christian Flynn wherever asked to play. Arjun Bhatt and Vinay Patel each contributed with singles and runs scored. 

Boys Majors Division

Modells and “Evolution Realty of LI” River Sharks vs. Dr. Margaret Zadnik Orthodontics Ducks. Pitching was the key in the second game of the season for the River Sharks with Alessandro Gullo and  Cenzo Montoni stringing together two scoreless innings each. Stephen Farishian and Anthony Steves proved that they will be dependable arms for the River Sharks as well this season, as each pitcher saw action on the mound for the second straight game and held the Ducks’ bats in check. Ian Meyer was able to close the door in the sixth inning. Supporting the fine pitching effort were the bats of Matt Rivera, Nick Levkulic and Matt Merolla, each with multiple RBIs, highlighted by Merolla’s two-run home run to get the River Sharks rolling in the first inning. The defense was strong for the River Sharks. Daniel Loughlin, James Dermezis, Daniel Mattei and Aaron Minkow all contributed and Franco Dimilta showed off an impressive arm behind the plate, throwing out a Duck trying to swipe second base. 

The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks vs. Merillon River Sharks. Adrian Balkcom was the hitting star, going 2-for-3, including a home run, double, RBI and two runs scored. Balkcom also struck out three batters. Starter Abidin Dauti struck out five in two innings. Abdin also had two hits an RBI, stole a base and scored a run. Justin Tamara reached base twice, stole three bases, scored a run and threw out two runners. Martin Lev had his best day at the plate, reaching base twice with a double and an RBI. Brian Kornreich ripped a late-inning single, collecting his first hit as a Duck. Nico Loguidice was moved to the lead-off spot, made solid contact and stole a base. Mike Castelli continued his hot streak at the plate with a single, a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base. Jared Puntus had a solid single to collect his first hit of the season in the fourth inning. Mike Jacobs smashed a double to drive in a run and also scored a run.  Mike also fanned three batters in two innings to close out the game. Chris Bruccoleri helped ignite a rally by stealing a base and scoring a run. Ian Tsao and Ibrahim Khwaja returned to the lineup and both provided solid at bats. A.J. DeVito struck out two batters in an inning of relief and took some big hacks at the plate. 

Girls Softball Division

Green Coast Oil Bluejays vs. Carle Place. The Green Coast Oil Bluejays took on Carle Place to open the Bluejays softball season.  The Bluejays came out strong, led by Julia Renny who hit a two-run home run. Renny also had a triple and single to finish with five RBIs. Amber Roggerdorf followed with a home run and finished with three RBIs. Sofia Carreca had two hits, four steals and three runs scored. Vanessa DiNardo and Sarah Belmonte had two hits each, Riley Boshnack set the table reaching base three times with six steals, while Catlin Young, Jordan Campionla, Juliana Campionla, Kayla Menoscal, Sydeny Solomon, Sarina Barot all had hits. Sofia Carreca was strong on the mound with eight strikeouts. Carreca shut down Carle place’s offense. Sarina Barot had a nice outing on the mound with three strikeouts. Amber Roggerdorf came in to close the last two innings with fice strikeouts. Gold gloves go to Julia Renny, Kayla Menoscal, Sydney Solomon, Sarah Belmonte, Sarina Barot and Vanessa DiNardo.

Merillon Shark Tryouts

The Merillon Sharks travel baseball club will be holding a free clinic/tryout for league age 7,8 & 9 year old boys on Saturday, May 3 and Saturday May 10.

The clinic will feature hitting, fielding and base running drills with college instructors.  Our goal is to provide a place for all kids interested in playing summer/fall ball a place to play where they can compete and learn.    

Please arrive by no later than 3:45 p.m. to check in.  Participating in both dates is highly recommended.  

The clinics/tryouts are being held at Merillon Field located at 2300 Marcus Ave, New Hyde Park.

Players should wear baseball appropriate clothing and bring all equipment and a hat.  Please park in the large lot next to field 2 (west field).

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