The Mineola Athletic Association Boys 9/10U summer baseball team defeated Port Washington 12-7 at the Willis Ave field complex in Mineola on Monday, July 23.
Mineola pitching was outstanding. In total, Mineola utilized six pitchers to secure the victory. Andrew Geagher, Patrick Solosky, Tom Tugander, Dominic Ferreira, Kenny Solosky and Ryan Loughlin combined to shut down any Port Washington threats.
The offense was lead by Tom Tugander with an RBI triple, Patrick Solosky (3-for-3), Kenny Solosky (2 for 2 and a sac), Derek Lekhwani, Zach Buongiovanni and Mike Librandi.
The defensive gems belonged to Derek Lekhwani, Kenny Solosky, Kieran O’Gara, Andrew Geagher, Steven Collica, Ryan Burke and Jimmy Tighe.
The on Wednesday, July 25, the boys took to the road with a game at New Hyde Park’s Nuzzi Field. After five lead changes, Mineola prevailed taking home a 15-12 victory, making it their third straight victory.
The game featured both great offense and defense. Early in the game, Loughlin stopped a sizzling grounder playing second throwing out the runner at first. After loading the bases in the second inning, Steven Collica struck out a batter and was aided by the defensive gem of the day. New Hyde Park drove a fly deep to center, Solosky ran the ball down making a sliding catch. The NHP runner on third tagged up and broke for home. Solosky jumped up and fired a frozen rope to catcher Zach Buongiovanni nailing the runner by five feet, ending the inning on a double play. Another sharp defense was turned in by Tugander and Burke and Tighe fielding a sharp grounder making the unassisted play at first ending the game.
The Mineola offensive machine was impressive. Solosky was 3-5, with a 2 RBI double off the center field wall. Solosky was 3-5 with an RBI triple, Collica had two doubles and Vincent Adalia had a very exciting inside-the-park grand slam. Other key Mineola hits were provided by Tighe, Ferreira and Tugander.
Mineola pitching was strong with Buongiovanni, Collica, Tighe, Burke and Solosky combining for the victory. This season, Mineola has used 12 pitchers in what can only be described as a “good” problem.
Manager Ken Solosky explains; “Most seasons you are lucky to have 3 or 4 good arms. With this team I have 12 very good arms and my challenge is getting them all into the games. It is wonderful to see the boys so eager to pitch!”
The Mineola Summer baseball team is a developmental team that stresses fun and learning. Players are assigned to different positions and challenged to try pitching and catching. The team has weekly clinics with guest instructors that develop their pitching, hitting and fielding skills. The clinics have featured a unique “catchers station” at which an older travel -eam catcher works with the boys on this unique position.
