“Evolution Realty of LI” Rivers Sharks versus the “Elks Lodge” Bears
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Merillon Field, the Evolution Realty of LI Sharks took on the Elks Lodge Bears in the season opener for both teams.
It was a great all-around team effort for the River Sharks with solid fielding and clutch hitting throughout.
The River Sharks received stellar pitching performances from starter Steven Farishian and reliever Anthony Steves, assisted by their battery mates James Dermezis and Franco Dimilta.
Cenzo Montoni, Alessandro Gullo, Daniel Loughlin, Matt Merolla, Daniel Mattei, Ian Meyer and Aaron Minkow all contributed in the field and showed great discipline at the plate. The web gem of the day was turned in by Steven Noh with a great catch while battling the sun on a long fly ball to left.
Matt Rivera and Nick Levkulic were raking at the plate. Rivera hit a frozen rope for a long double into left-center field to plate three runs and Levkulic crushed a pitch to left field for a grand slam.
New Hyde Park Elk’s Bears vs. Margret Zandeck Ducks
The Bears were led by the dominant pitching performance of Peter Carreca on the mound, who hurled five hitless innings with 14 strikeouts. The defense was led by catcher Phil Schurr, who called a gem of a game. Matt Strocchia came in for the last inning and shut the Ducks down in order. Stephen Derocchis, Marc Baronci, Dylan Hod, Frankie Sanuuti and Richard Kanters played solid defense. The offense was led by Schurr with three RBIs and Carreca with a triple, single and one RBI. Daniel Vilbig had a sharp liner up the middle, Ryan Gaudio ripped a single and Alfred Squarino,, Marc Baronci, Richard Kanters and Dylan McNulty had strong at bats. The New Hyde Park Elk’s Bears won a well-played game by both teams.
The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks 1, Merillon Cyclones 10
Feathers flew everywhere as the Ducks were hit hard on opening day by an oncoming cyclone. Martin Lev smashed a long triple and just missed making it a home run when he was thrown out on a very close play at the plate. Justin Tamara singled, walked and stole two bases, accounting for the rest of the Ducks’ offense. Chris Bruccoleri, A.J DeVito and Adrian Balkcom were victimized by some hard hits and defensive errors. Balkcom struck out the side in the one inning he pitched.
Dr. Barbaro Podiatrist & Parker Jewish Institute Merillon Rays
Under windy and cold conditions, the Merillon Rays played a great game against the Albertson Herricks Astros, winning 6-5. The stars of the game were Anthony Agerenza, who pitched two scoreless innings and had a big double, and Vinay Patel, who pitched a quick scoreless inning and had two hits. Scott McClellan contributed with two hits, as did Josh Henderson and James Prado. Marco Gullo reached base twice and played a flawless defense all around the diamond. Sanketh Kumar and Sebastian Lennox each had a big singles. William Vasilakos, Christian Flynn and Alex Isopo each scored runs and played perfect defense. Hope Luke Notine and Arjun Bhatt are feeling better for the next game. Great job Rays under tough conditions.
The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks 0, Merillon Bears 4
Adrian Balkcom walked once and was hit by a pitch, reaching base in both of his at bats. Abidin Dauti smashed his first hit of the season, breaking up the Bears no-hitter in the sixth inning. Adam Miller was impressive on the mound, throwing a complete game in his first appearance of the season.
The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon Ducks 2. Merillon River Sharks 8
The Ducks got their feathers ruffled early. Then the team was able hit their way back onto the map behind A.J. DeVito, who led the way, going 3-for-4, including a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Abidin Dauti threw three scoreless innings, striking out nine and allowing no hits. Justin Tamara had a hit, stole a base and was solid behind the plate. Martin Lev did his best Roy Hobbs impression,walking twice and stealing a base despite a leg injury. Brian Kornreich had his best game of the season, as did Nico Loguidice. Mike Castelli was moved to the lead off spot and almost pulled off a squeeze bunt in the last inning. Jared Puntus got a comeback started with a walk and a stolen base. Mike Jacobs smashed his first hit of the season.
“Modells” and “Evolution Realty of LI” River Sharks vs. The Long Island Orthodontics Dr. Zadnik Merillon 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 and highlighted by Merolla’s two-run home run to get the River Sharks rolling in the first inning. Daniel Loughlin, James Dermezis, Daniel Mattei and Aaron Minkow all contributed and Franco Dimilta showed off an impressive arm behind the plate by throwing out a Duck trying to swipe second base.
