Rockland Sports News

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Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

New York State Championships

Softball --10-11-year-old

    Nanuet moves one step closer to final with win over Seneca River North

    Sneeden drives in six runs and earns the win

     BALDWINSVILLE -- Megan Sneeden had six RBI and combined with Alexa Amalbert and Mikaela Carey on a one-hitter as Nanuet defeated Seneca River North, 20-1 in five innings yesterday at the New York State Little League softball 10-11-year-old championships.

     Nanuet will close out pool play today, 3 p.m. with East Meadow (L.I.). The District 18 champion is 3-0 and has allowed one run.

     Nanuet manager Phil Carbone explained that a victory over East Meadow would secure a berth in the championship game, noon, tomorrow. A loss to East Meadow and Carbone said it would come down to a tiebreaker between the two teams and Fairport. The tiebreaker would be run differential. Fairport finishes with South Shore today, 6 p.m.

     Sneeden, who had four hits, includig two triples, and scored three runs, pitched the first two innings and had three strikeouts. Amalbert followed and rang up two strikeouts in two innings. Carey pitched the fifth inning. Allison Johnson spoiled the no-hit bid with a single.

     Courtney Carbone singled, drew three walks and scored four runs and Taylor Phelps singled in three at-bats and scored two runs. Caroline Wrenn scored three runs.

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Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010

New York State Baseball Championships

10-11-year-old

    Geddes stuns Pearl River in state semis, 5-4

    Pearl River leaves season-high 11 on base

    WEST SAND LAKE -- Pearl River had Geddes right where it wanted in the bottom of the sixth inning yesterday.

     Pearl River had the bases loaded with one out and the top of the order up, preparing to overturn the one-run deficit. Pearl River was in a similar situation last month and rallied to overtake South Orangetown in the District 18 final. However, Geddes was not going to allow Pearl River to steal a victory.

     Geddes recorded the final two outs to seal a 5-4 semi-final win and a berth in the New York State Little League baseball 10-11-year-old final tomorrow, 6 p.m.

     It was a crushing loss for Pearl River, which left a season-high 11 men on base. This same team was stopped in the semifinals of the 10-year-old state championships last year.

     "I am proud of them," Pearl River manager Marc Ocasal said. "They always going down fighting. The good thing is that they have another year of little league. It was a great ride and they worked hard for everything. It was my pleasure to coach them."

     Geddes led 2-0 through the first inning and a half before Pearl River evened the score in the bottom of the inning. Ryan McLinskey singled in C.J. McGee, whohad two hits, and Kevin Scrima brought in Andrew DeRubertis with the first of his three hits.

     Geddes regained the lead with two in the third and one in the fourth, but Pearl River answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. McLinskey scored on a wild pitch and Dolan Ocasal raced home on a throwing error by the catcher attempting to get McLinskey.

     Ocasal and McLinskey each had two hits.

Geddes           112 100 -- 5-7-2

Pearl River  020 200 -- 4-9-3 

RBI -- PR: Ryan McLinskey, Kevin Scrima. 2B -- PR: C.J. McGee. WP -- Mike Winn. LP -- Matt Patrone. 

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010

New York State Championships

Softball --10-11-year-old

   Nanuet hands Fairport its first loss, 9-0

    Contreras scatters five hits, Nanuet now 2-0

    BALDWINSVILLE -- Not even a three-hour rain delay could deter Nanuet from another win.

     Nanuet scored four runs in the first inning and Michaela Contreras did the rest as the District 18 titlists blanked Fairport, 9-0 in pool play of the New York State Little League softball 10-11-year-old championships.

     Nanuet will play Seneca River North tonight, 6 p.m. and close out pool play with East Meadow tomorrow, 3 p.m.

     Manager Phil Carbone sent his players back to the hotel with their parents once the umpiring crew decided to wait out the rain. The six o'clock start time would eventually be pushed to 9 p.m.

     Carbone and assistant coach Derek Amalbert stayed at the field. When Carbone and Amalbert received word the game was on for 9 p.m., the girls returned and were ready to go.

     Courtney Carbone opened the bottom of the first inning with a walk and immediately swiped two bases. Following walks to Megan Sneeden and Alana Prosapio, Jaclyn Vormittag sinled  in Carbone. Prosapio and Sneeden scored on passed bases. Alexa Amalbert singled home Vormittag with the fourth run of the inning.

     In both Nanuet games, it has struck quickly in the first inning.

     "The big thing is that we've been the home team in both games," Phil Carbone said. "We've held the other team down and then scored which is a huge boost to do that."

     Prosapio had two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Vormittag finished with two hits and a RBI. Caroline Wrenn collected two hits and scored a run, Courtney Carbone singled, drove in a run and scored twice and Sneeden had a RBI double and three runs scored.

     "These first two teams we played have travel epxereince and are very good teams," Phil Carbone said. "We played great defense and Michaela dominated once again."

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010  
New York State Baseball Championships
Majors

 
   Stony Point beats defending champ South Shore, 3-2 to win the New York State title
   Champs advance to Mid-Atlantic regional in Bristol; Greeley allows two hits in 5 1/3 innings, strikes out eight
 
    Tony Pinciaro
    TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com
 
    WEST NYACK -- The ball came off of Chris Nierva's bat hot, on two hops, with Stony Point third baseman Billy Rotella watching it intently.
    Rotella fielded the second big bounce, looking the ball into his glove, set himself, then threw a strike across the diamond that popped in first baseman Dan Wirchansky's glove. Once the first-base umpire made the out call, it touched off a celebration on the field and in a "sea of blue" in the stands at Germonds Park.
    Stony Point had just beaten defending champion South Shore National of Staten Island, 3-2 in the New York State Little League baseball majors championship game.
    As a result, Stony Point advances to the six-team Mid-Atlantic majors regional in Bristol, Ct., beginning Friday through Monday, Aug. 16. The six teams represent New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (Council Rock Newtown), Maryland (Railroaders), Delaware (Brandywine) and Washington, D.C. (Capitol City).
    Stony Point becomes the fifth Rockland County team to win a majors state championship, joining Haverstraw (1957 and 2008), New City (1972) and Ramapo (2005), according to Stony Point little league coach Bill Madden.
    John Greeley and Frankie Nigro combined on a three-hitter with Greeley going 5 1/3, allowing one run on two hits and striking out eight. Nigro did yield one run, but got the final two outs.
    "I just wanted to field the ball clean and make a good throw to first base," said the 12-year-old Rotella, a seventh-grader-to-be at Farley Middle School. "It was a perfect hop and I knew the throw would be there."
    Nigro, who received a huge birthday gift, courtesy of his teammates, albeit one day late, could not contain himself once Rotella fielded the ball.
    "It is the greatest feeling I've ever felt in my life," said Nigro, 13, and an eighth-grader-to-be at Fieldstone Secondary School.
    Stony Point overcame the powerful defending champ through a combination of Greeley's excellent outing, timely hitting and a clean defensive effort.
    Greeley knew what he had to do and executed the game plan.
    "Certain hitters I would have to hit my location because they are a good hitting team all the way down the order," Greeley said. "I was able to hit my location, mix my speeds and make them put the ball in play because we have an excellent defense."
    Stony Point scored in its first at-bat as Dan Wirchansky walked and Greeley fisted a pitch into left field for a single. Nigro grounded to third baseman Michael Russell, who stepped on third and threw to first for the double play. With two outs, Greeley advanced to third on a passed ball and scored when pinch-hitter Brian Bohlander's hard grounder to short took a wicked hop right and bounced off Anthony Scotti's glove, plating Greeley.
    "That gave us that little confidence that we could score off of these guys and it gave John a little bit of room to work with," Stony Point manager Brian Coyle said.
    South Shore evened the score in the second inning when Nierva walked and would score on a wild pitch. Stony Point would regain the lead for good in the third.
    Glenn Stila led off and was safe on an error. Following an out, Greeley was intentionally walked. Nigro flied out to center, but South Shore centerfielder Louis Mandile overthrew third base, allowing pinch runner Eric Sandusky and Greeley to move up. Sandusky scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch with Greeley moving to third. Pinch hitter Rob McFadden followed and hit a grounder to second baseman Robert Regina, but first baseman Sal Mauro veered to far to his right. McFadden raced down the line and beat South Shore pitcher Nicholas Meola, who was late covering, to the bag for a hit as Greeley charged home.
     Greeley allowed one more hit after the second inning and got the first out of the sixth, but hit the maximum pitch count, 85, before turning it over to Nigro. Nigro got Mandile to ground out, but Meola hit a 1-2 curveball over the center-field fence. Following Meola's home run, Coyle spoke to the umpires about two South Shore players who had yet to play in the game. A meeting with home-plate umpire Eric Black, tournament director Jim Medlar and South Shore manager Michael Zuccariello result in an approximate 10-minute delay. Nigro's infielders came to the mound to talk to him.
    "When the coaches were discussing the subs, my teammates told me to keep my composure and I was able to get myself back together," Nigro said. "When I got to 3 and 1 on the next batter, I just wanted to throw it to Ben (Muller's) glove and hope that they hit it on the ground to one of our infielders."
    "This feels great," Rotella said. "I've never been to Bristol before. Hopefully, we can make it to Williamsport."
 
South Shore  010 001 -- 2-3-2
Stony Point   100 20x -- 3-4-0
 
RBI -- SS: Nicholas Meola; SP: Brian Bohlander, Rob McFadden. 2B -- SS: Nicholas Meola; SP: Billy Rotella. HR -- SS: Nicholas Meola. WP -- John Greeley. LP -- Nicholas Meola.

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   Below is the live update provided during the South Shore-Stony Point game.
 
7:40 -- John Greeley's first pitch to South Shore's Anthony Scotti is a ball. The game is on.
 
7:41 -- Scotti gets infield hit on slow roller to third.
 
7:43 -- Greeley strikes out Michael Russell. Scotti moves to second on a passed ball.
 
7:44 -- Greeley strikes out Louis Mandile on a curveball.
 
7:46 -- Nicholas Meola lines out to shortstop Billy Rotella. South Shore has one hit and leaves a runner stranded. After one-half inning South Shore 0, Stony Point coming to bat. Meola is pitching for South Shore.
 
7:48 -- Dan Wirchansky leads off for Stony Point. Wirchansky walks on five pitches. In steps John Greeley.
 
7:50 -- Greeley fists a base hit between short and third. Frankie Nigro steps in.
 
7:53 -- Nigro bounces to third baseman Michael Russell and he turns a 5-5-3 double play. Greeley moves to second.
 
7:54 -- Brian Bohlander's bad-hop single to third scores Greeley, who had moved to third on a passed ball.
 
7:56 -- Austin Pinelli makes the final out. Stony Point gets one run on two hits and leaves one on base. After one inning, Stony Point 1, South Shore 0.
 
7:59 -- 2nd inning -- Chris Nierva leads off with a walk. Nierva moves to second on a wild pitch.
 
8:00 -- Eric Schmardel strikes out swinging. Sal Mauro draws a walk.
 
8:04 -- Joe Latona sacrifices Nierva to third and Mauro to second.
 
8:05 -- Nierva scores on a wild pitch, Mauro moves to third. Greeley strikes out Robert Regina on three pitches. South Shore scores one run to even the score at 1-1 after 1 1/2 innings. Stony Point will have Billy Rotella, Ben Muller and Jeff Grosin coming up.
 
8:09 -- Rotella makes the first out.
 
8:10 -- Muller makes the second out.
 
8:12 -- Grosin makes the third out. Three up, three down for Stony Point. Through two innings, the score is even at 1-1. South Shore has Anthony Scotti, Michael Russell and Louis Mandile coming to bat in the third.
 
8:16 -- Rotella throws out Scotti from shortstop.
 
8:18 -- Franki Nigro, now catching, throws out Russell on a dribbler down the first-base line.
 
8:20 -- Louis Mandile strikes out on a fastball. Three up and three down. Through 2 1/2 innings, the game is even at 1-1. Stony Point will send Eric Sandusky, Dan Wirchansky and John Greeley to the plate in the third.
 
8:23 -- Glenn Stila, hitting for Eric Sandusky, is safe on an error. Sandusky is pinch running.
 
8:25 -- Wirchansky makes an out. Greeley draws an intentional walk.
 
8:26 -- Nigro flies out to center, but a throwing error allows Sandusky to go to third and Greeley moves to second.
 
8:29 -- Sandusky scores on a wild pitch and Greeley goes to third.
 
8:30 -- Rob McFadden gets an infield hit, scoring Greeley. McFadden moves to second on a passed ball.  Pinelli bounces out, but Stony Point scores twice on one hit and leaves one on base. After three innings, Stony Point leads, 3-1. South Shore will send up Nick Meola, Chris Nierva and Eric Schmardel in the fourth.
 
8:38 -- Meola doubles to right to open the fourth.
 
8:40 -- Chris Nierva goes down swinging on a curveball.
 
8:42 -- Eric Schmardel strikes out on a curveball.
 
8:44 -- After Meola moves to third on a wild pitch, Sal Mauro hits a comeback to Greeley and he takes it himself. Through three and one half, Stony Point leads, 3-1. Stony Point will have Billy Rotella, Ben Muller and Jeff Grosin coming to bat in the fourth.
 
8:47 -- Billy Rotella, on an 0-2 pitch, doubles tot he fence in left field.
 
8:49 -- Ben Muller sacrifices Rotella to third.
 
8:51 -- Mike Martinez, batting for Jeff Grosin, makes an out. Eric Sandusky makes the final out. Stony Point has one hit and leaves Rotella on third. Through four, Stony Point still leads, 3-1. Christian Sullivan, Robert Regina and Anthony Scotti are coming up for South Shore in the top of the fifth.
 
8:56 -- Sullivan gets caught looking and Joe Rubilotta bounces out to Rotella at short.
 
8:57 -- Anthony Scotti bounces out to second baseman Rob McFadden for the third out. South Shore goes three up, three down. Through 4 1/2, Stony Point leads, 3-1. Stony Point will have Dan Wirchansky, John Greeley and Frankie Nigro coming up. Michael Russell relieves Scotti to open the fifth.
 
9:02 -- Wirchanksy grounded to short and Greeleyt flied to left. Nigro popped out to second to end the fifth. Through five, Stony Point still leads, 3-1. Going into the top of the sixth, South Shore will have Michael Russell, Louis Mandile and Nicholas Meola, the No. 2-3-4 hitters coming to bat in the sixth.
 
9:06 -- Russell bounces out to Wirchansky at first. John Greeley gas hit the 85-pitch max count and is being relieved by Frankie Nigro. Greeley goes to shortstop and Rotella moves from short to third.
 
9:09 -- Louis Mandile grounds out to Greeley at shortstop. Two outs.
 
9:11 -- Down 1-2 in the count, Mandile hits a home run to center field.
 
9:19 -- Ahead 3-1 in the count, Chris Nierva bounces out to Billy Rotella at third for the final out. Final score: Stony Point 3, South Shore 2.
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                                                                                                                                                                                                       Monday, Aug. 2, 2010
 
New York State Baseball Championships
Majors
 
   Stila, Greeley provide the power in Stony Point's 18-7 win over Auburn
   Stony Point to play South Shore (Staten Island) in state final tonight
 
    Tony Pinciaro
    TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com
 
    WEST NYACK -- John Greeley and Glenn Stila found themselves in a friendly competition Saturday at the New York State Little League baseball majors championship.
    Following Saturday's victory, the hard-hitting Stony Point teammates were the finalists in the home run competition. And the duo had fun with it.
    "I was just happy that we were both in the final," said the 12-year-old Stila, a seventh-grader-to-be at Willow Groove Middle School. "When John didn't hit a home run I'd laugh at him and when I didn't hit a home run he did the same thing to me. It was a fun time."
    "It was fun and it didn't really matter who won because it was going to be Stony Point player," said the 13-year-old Greeley, Fieldstone Secondary School eighth-grader-to-be. "We were both using the same bat."
    Greeley went on to win home run derby, but he and Stila didn't exhaust their home-run swings.
    Greeley and Stila each smashed long balls yesterday, as Stony Point overwhelmed Auburn, 18-7 in a semifinal at Germonds Park.
    The win sets up a much-anticipated final with Stony Point playing 2009 state and East Region champion South Shore (Staten Island) in the championships game tonight, 7:30 p.m. The winner moves on to the East Regional in Bristol, Ct., beginning Saturday. Prior to the Stony Point game, South Shore secured its spot in the final with an 8-3 win over East Greenbush.
    Joining Greeley, who smacked a two-run homer in the third inning, and Stila, who drilled a three-run shot in the fifth, with the long ball was Billy Rotella. Rotella led off a five-run fourth inning with a solo rip. This is the second time in the last week that Stila and Greeley homered in the same game.
    Greeley's home run was a huge blow because it gave Stony Point a 2-1 lead, as Dan Wirchansky scored also, and it rattled Auburn starter Nick Petrosino. Through two innings, Petrosino had Stony point off balance with his jumpy curveball. Petrosino had thrown Greeley two curveballs in his first at-bat with Stony Point's leading home-run hitter getting overanxious and fouling out to the catcher.
    "Usually we look fastball and adjust to the curveball," said Greeley, who will get the start against South Shore. "He (Petrosino) was throwing 80 percent curveballs so we had to look curveball and adjust to the fastball. Once we did this, we started hitting."
    With one out and Stony Point trailing, 1-0, Wirchanksy was safe on an error. Greeley was expecting a first-pitch curveball and when it sat there, he belted it over the center-field fence, giving Stony Point a 2-1 lead.
    "I was little angry after my first at-bat bcause I kept thinking fastball and he gave me two curveballs," Greeley said. "I was out in front too much."
    Stony Point added one more in the inning when Rob McFadden drew a two-out walk and scored on Austin Pinelli's shot off the fence in center field for a double.
    "We got all pumped up when that happened," said Stila of Greeley's home run. "Then Billy hit one and I hit one."
    Stony Point was leading, 8-1 in the fifth when Stila added to it. Mike Martinez led off with a double to left field and Jeff Grosin dropped a perfect bunt, resulting in a base hit. Stila stepped in and worked his way to a 3-1 count. Auburn reliever T.J. Baranick grooved a fastball and Stila sent it a long way, over the left-field fence and into left field of Finkel Field.
    While Stony Point was adding to its lead, Wirchansky, the team's closer, was throwing an excellent game. The left-hander allowed three earned runs and struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings before Stila and Frank Nigro, who was celebrating his birthday, finished it off.
    "Dan's curveball was really good and he was throwing hard," Stila said. "Dan is not usually a starter so that is the best I've seen him pitch."
    Stony Point manager Brian Coyl agreed.
    "All this whole run, Danny has been spectacular," Coyle said.
    Following the game and low-key celebration, Stony Point began to focus on South Shore.
    "They're a great team," Greeley said. "I have to hit my location and mix up my speed, but I feel good," said Greeley, who will be pitching on five days rest.
    Nigro went 4 for 5 with a RBI and run scored, Grosin was 3 for 4 and scored three runs and Brian Bohlander and Pinelli each had three RBI.
 

Stony Point 003 546 -- 18-16-3
Auburn         100 042 -- 7-9-4
 
RBI -- SP: Glenn Stila 3, Austin Pinelli 3, John Greeley 3, Brian Bohlander 3, Frank Nigro, Billy Rotella, Eric Sandusky, Dan Wirchansky; A: Joe Dyson 3, Shane Lawrence, Terry Daniels, Pat LaDouce. 2B -- SP: Austin Pinelli, Billy Rotella; A: Nick Petrosino, Shane Lawrence, Terry Daniels. HR -- SP: Glenn Stila, John Greeley, Billy Rotella; A: Joe Dyson. WP -- Dan Wirchansky. LP -- Nick Petrosino.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                    Sunday, August 1, 2010

New York State Baseball Championships

Majors

   Stony Point dials up the power in 17-0 victory over Sunrise
   Pinelli, Greeley hit two home runs apiece as Stony Point belts five
 
    Tony Pinciaro
    TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com
 
    WEST NYACK -- Stony Point exhibited a power display yesterday that would make Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. envious.
    The District 18 champions hit five home runs, including four in the fourth inning, in a 17-0 four-inning victory over Sunrise (L.I.) in pool play of the New York State Little League baseball majors championship at Germonds Park.
    Stony Point will play Auburn in a semifinal today, 4:30 p.m. This will be preceeded by the first semifinal -- Sunrise against defending state champion South Shore at 2 p.m. The semi-final winners will play for the title tomorrow, 7 p.m. The champion advances to the East Regional in Bristol, Ct.
    Austin Pinelli initiated the power surge with a two-run homer in the first inning as Stony Point immediately grabbed a 4-0 lead. Stony Point dialed up the power in a 13-run fourth inning, clearing the outfield fence four times. John Greeley hit a three-run homer off the scoreboard in center field. Two batters later, Ben Muller jacked a two-run shot over the left-field fence. Pinelli kept it going, smoking his second of the game, which cleared the center-field fence and landed on Finkel Field. Greeley capped the inning with a grand slam to right field.
    This is the second time in Stony Point's last three games that it ripped at least four home runs. Stony Point smashed four, including two by Dan Wirchansky, in the deciding game of the Section 4 championships.
    "Everyone has been hitting the ball hard, we're making good contact and we're not striking out," said winning pitcher Eric Sandusky, a 12-year-old seventh-grader-to-be at Farley Middle School.
    Pinelli's first home run came with two outs and followed Brian Bohlander's two-run single, scoring Greeley and Frankie Nigro. Pinelli, who was down in the count, 1-2, was not trying to do too much with the bat.
    "With two strikes I didn't want to swing at a high pitch," said the 13-year-old Pinelli, an eighth-grader-to-be at Fieldstone Secondary School. "I was just looking to make contact. I didn't really expect to hit a home run."
    His second home run was quite different, though. Once aluminum met the ball, Pinelli knew the result.
    "That one felt even better because I hit that right on the sweet spot," said Pinelli with a smile.
    Once Stony Point scored four runs in the first inning, it appeared to be enough for Sandusky. The left-hander, who threw two score-less innings and struck out four in Stony Point's 6-0 win over East Greenbush Thursday, was on his game.
    Sandusky finished with a three-hitter and six strikeouts. He also closed out the game, starting a 1-6-3 double play in the fourth inning. Along with a glove-popping fastball, Sandusky, who gained confidence from his relief outing Thursday, had his curveball dancing.
    "I think it would have been harder to start if I never pitched in the state championships before," Sandusky said. "I thought I was throwing hard today. When we scored four runs, that helped me because I knew I just had to throw strikes. Even if they scored a run or two, we still would have been up.
    "I'm always changing the grip on my fastball, but today, I found a good grip on it and it just felt good throwing it."
    Following the win, Stony Point began focusing on Auburn.
    "It feels really good to win today," Pinelli said. "I hope we win tomorrow and make it really far."
 

Stony Point 400 (13) -- 17-17-1
Sunrise         000 0 -- 0-3-2
 
RBI -- John Greeley 7, Austin Pinelli 4, Ben Muller 2, Brian Bohlander 2, Dan Wirchansky 2. 2B -- SP: Eric Sandusky, Brian Bohlander. HR -- Austin Pinelli 2, John Greeley 2, Ben Muller. WP -- Eric Sandusky. LP -- Ralph Recchio.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Friday, July 30, 2010

New York State Baseball Championships

Majors

   Martinez, Sandusky combine on two-hitter in Stony Point 6-0 win over East Greenbush
    Pitching tandem strikes out 11, Stila two-run homer highlights five-run second inning
 
    WEST NYACK -- Three games in three days left the Stony Point pitching staff stretched out.
     Stony Point manager Brian Coyle and coach John Greeley were facing a fourth consecutive game in as many days, leaving the question, 'Who do we start?'
     Mike Martinez, the team's youngest player, said Coyle, was given the ball and he showed how deep Stony Point's staff is
     Martinez struck out seven in four innings then Eric Sandusky slammed the door closed the final two innings as Stony Point shut out East Greenbush, 6-0 in pool play of the New York State Little League baseball majors championship at Germonds Park.
     Stony Point will have a well-deserved day off before returning to play Sunrise (Section 6) tomorrow, 3:30 p.m. This game will be preceeded by Maine-Endwell-Auburn at noon. South Shore (Staten Island), the 2009 New York State titlist, opened the championship with an 11-1 win over Maine-Endwell.
     Today's games are Auburn playing South Shore, 5:30 p.m. followed by East Greenbush against Sunrise, 7:45 p.m.
     Coyle pointed out this is the third consecutive year this Stony Point team has played East Greenbush in the state championships. They met as 10-year-olds and last year as 11-year-olds.
     "Having three games in three days, then a fourth game really strapped our pitching," Coyle said. "Here we are in the state championship and we turn to Mike, who is the youngest kid on the team, and say, 'Here you go.'
    "Mike came through with flying colors. He was throwing the ball hard and he got himself out of two jams in the first and second innings. Then Eric came in and was like a man on a mission. He was throwing gas."
    Coyle noted that East Greenbush had the bases loaded in the first inning with one out and had runners on second and third in the second inning, also with one out.
    Sandusky rang up four strikeouts among his six outs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Thursday, July 29, 2010

New York State Baseball Championships

Minors

  Commack South defeats Stony Point, 3-2 in state final

    Greeley and Wholey combine on two-hitter for Stony Point

    WEST LEYDEN -- Commack South (L.I.) scored three runs in the first inning then held off Stony Point the remainder of the game yesterday  in a 3-2 win in the New York State Little League baseball minors championship at North Central Little League.

    Commack South  advances to the inaugural Northeast regional championship, July 31-Aug. 8, in Cranston, R.I. This was Stony Point's only loss of the all-star season.

    Raymond Pacella gave Stony Point a 1-0 lead with a home run in the top of the first inning, but Commack South answered with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first.

    Stony Point cut the lead to one, at 3-2, in the fourth inning. Collin Musto was hit by a pitch and Pete Lombardi came in to pinch run. Lomardi would later score on a Brian Wholey ground out.

    Stony Point manager Ralph Pacella said his team had opportunities, but Commack South was equal to the challenge.

    "We usually capitalize on other teams' mistakes, but the Commack defensen made no errors," he said. "We usually benefit by putting the ball in play, but their pitcher beared down and got strikeouts in big spots against us."

    In the second inning, John John Morina and Lombardi bunted for base hits, but the next three batters struck out. After Lombardi scored in the fourth, Stony Point worked out three walks, loading the bases, but Commack South got out of the inning with a strikeout.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Thursday, July 29, 2010

New York State Championships

Majors baseball

     West Nyack Little League to host state championships beginning today

    Germonds Park will be the site of the 2010 New York State Little League baseball majors' championship, beginning today through Monday, Aug. 2.

     The six-team tournament includes Stony Point, Auburn (Section 2), Maine-Endwell (Section 2), East Greenbush Castleton (Section 3), South Shore National (Section 5) and Sunrise (Section 6).

     Maine-Endwell and South Shore open the tournament with a 5:30 p.m. game on Dexter Field, followed at 7:45 p.m. by East Greenbush Castleton against Stony Point.

     "We are honored to be such a crucial step on the Road to Williamsport," Tournament director Jim Medler said. "We feel this is a great opportunity to display our facilites and our organization to the best teams in the state."

     Medler said West Nyack Little League hosted the 10-11-year-old state championships in 2005.

     Stony Point's presence will add to the excitement.

     "With Stony Point qualifying, we are expecting a lot of local interest and we anticipate large crowds for the Stony Point games, especially if they are fortunate enough to make it to the semifinals and championship game," Medler said. "We hosted 11-year-old sectionals last year, which Stony Point won. This is the third time they are participating in a tournament we hosted as they won the Rockland County 9 Year Old Tournament in 2007."

     "That makes it good," said Stony Point pitcher/shortstop John Greeley of playing at West Nyack. "We've played on the field before so we know what it's like."

Today's schedule

New York State Championships

At Germonds Park (West Nyack)

Majors

5:30 pm. -- Auburn (Section 1) vs. Maine-Endwell (Section 2)

7:45 p.m. -- East Greenbush Castleton (Section 3) vs. Stony Point

Friday's schedule

New York State Championships

At Germonds Park (West Nyack)

Majors

5:30 p.m. -- Auburn (Section 2) vs. South Shore National (Section 5)

7:45 pm. -- East Greenbush Castleton (Section 3) vs. Sunrise (Section 6)

 
                                                                                                                                                                                               Wednesday, July 28, 2010
 

New York State Championships
Baseball - Minors
 
   Stony Point hits its way to state final in 13-1 win over Jamesville-DeWitt
   Pacella, Morina lead offensive barrage
 
     WEST LEYDEN -- Raymond Pacella had three hits and John John Morina added two hits yesterday as Stony Point overwhelmed Jamesville-DeWitt (Syracuse), 13-1 in a New York State Little League minors baseball semifinal at North Central Little League.
     Stony Point will play Commack South of Long Island, 4:30 p.m, today, for the championship.
     Pacella tossed a three-hitter and struck out eight.
     Stony Point trailed 1-0 through three innings but the bats came alive in an eight-run fourth inning uprising. Steven Greeley and Pacella started the inning with consecutive singles. Collin Musto doubled his teammates home and Morina followed with a run-scoring single. Stony Point also capitalized on three walks.
      In the fifth inning, Stony Point added five more runs with Brian Wholey and Morina singling to start things off. Pacella added a two-run double later in the inning.
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New York State Championships
Softball - Minors
 
   Half Hollow Hills early surge denies Stony Point, 8-4 in a semifinal
   Stony Point baseball wins semifinal, 12-1
 
    FREDONIA -- Half Hollow Hills registered five runs in the first two innings then held off StonyPoint for a 7-4 win yesterday in the New York State Little League softball championships minors division at Fredonia Little League.
     Half Hollow Hills, the Section 6 champion, advances to the championship game today.
     Even though the Long Island team opened quickly, Stony Point did answer back with two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Celia Santini hit a "mammoth" home run, according to Stony Point manager Robert Alonso, also scoring Carey.
     The one-run deficit did not last though, as Half Hollow Hills matched Stony Point's two runs with two of its own in the second, making the score, 5-2. Both runs were unearned.
     Stony Point added a run in the third as Carey was hit by a pitch and Santini walked. Danielle Chiorazzi, who has been on fire with the aluminum, doubled in Carey.
     However, once again, Half Hollow Hills had an answer, scoring twice in the top of the fourth. Chiorazzi brought home Stony Point's final run, in the bottom of the fourth, with a sacrifice bunt, scoring Lauren Geary.
     Victoria Alonso relieved Brianna Williams to open the second and finished with 10 strikeouts.
     "We had our opportunities, but there defense was on it," Robert Alonso said. "When we got to 7-4, I felt we were trying to get those three runs with one swing. We were swinging at alot of first pitches."
     Despite the final result, Alonso said Stony Point softball team achieved a first, becoming the first group to win a sectional title and play in the state championships.
     "It has been a great season and I couldn't be any prouder for a group of girls," he said. "Not many people have taken this ride this far as a manager. To me, the ride is not an end but a beginning of more to come. We made a point, that Stony Point softball is for real and we will be back."
     Alonso also enjoyed it because he did this with his daughter, Victoria.
     "Victoria accomplished something as a 10-year-old that is more than I could of dreamt of in my lifetime," said the proud father.
 

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Tuesday, July 27, 2010

New York State Championships

Softball-Seniors

  Adams pitches Haverstraw to state championship in 5-2 win over Saugerties

   Haverstraw off to Eastern Regional, Wagenstein two-run double is key hit
 
    Tony Pinciaro
    TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com
 
   HAVERSTRAW -- Once the ball nestled into teammate Taylor Corretjer's glove for the final out, a huge smile engulfed Vittoria Adams' face yesterday.
    The Haverstraw pitcher discarded her glove and was immediately embraced by catcher Brianna Rivera as the celebration began.
    Adams has just secured the last out, leading Haverstraw to a 5-2 victory over Saugerties and the New York State Little League softball senior championship at Leo Ladders Post #130 Memorial Field.
    Haverstraw, the 2009 Eastern Region champion, moves on looking to defend its title beginning Saturday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 5. in Worcester, Ma. Haverstraw opens with the New Jersey representative, Saturday, 2 p.m. at Jesse Burkett Little League.
    The title is also an early present for Adams, who will celebrate her birthday today.
    "It's amazing," said Adams, with a beeming smile. "When Taylor caught it, I was ecstatic."
    Adams tossed a five-hitter and struck out seven. Haverstraw gave Adams a 2-0 lead in the first and she made it hold up. When Saugerties closed to within a run, 2-1, in the fifth inning, Sam Wagenstein increased the lead to three runs, 4-1, with a two-run double in the top of the sixth.
    "Vittoria always does good," Wagenstein said. "She is a great pitcher."
    Repeating as state champions was especially sweet for the returning players. Even though numerous players from the 2009 team moved on, including Krystn Benson, Haverstraw showed it was still the team to beat.
    "The younger girls really stepped up this year," Wagenstein said.
    While the younger girls contributed to the title, it was the veteran Adams who was on her game.
    Adams retired the first 11 batters she faced, including five consecutive strikeouts spanning the second and third innings. Adams was bringing the heat and doing a excellent job of pounding the inside corner against Saugerties' right-handed hitters. And when Adams had Saugerties guessing low and in, she blew a fastball by them.
    Haverstraw wasted little time in asserting itself. Corretjer opened the game with a walk, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After one out, Rivera ripped a Taylor Snyder pitch that one-hopped the wall in left center, scoring Corretjer. Rivera moved to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch.   
    Saugerties broke through in the fifth inning Maureen Bell’s two-out single, bringing home pinch runner Sydney Dennis. Dennis ran for Courtney O’Connor, who singled with one out. Dennis promptly swiped second and third.

    Whatever momentum Saugerties may have had was quickly extinguished by Haverstraw in the sixth.

Michelle Hoppe led off with a single to left and stole second. Following a ground out, Destiney Jones ripped a single to center with Hoppe stopping at third. Wagenstein jumped ahead in the count, 2-0, and received the green light from Haverstraw manager Joe Corretjer.

    Wagenstein roped the 2-0 pitch to the fence in center field, scoring Hoppe and Jones.

    “The pitch was right down the middle, right where I like it,” Wagenstein said. “I swung my hardest and was hoping I was going to get a hit. As I was running to second base it was such a great feeling.”

    A three-run lead with Adams in the circle was secure but Saugerties did bounce back in the bottom of the sixth. Donna Bracco opened with a single and stole second base. Adams retired the next two batters before Snyder smashed a single up the middle. Jones, the center fielder, charged the ball and unleashed a perfect throw to the plate for Rivera, who grabbed it and slapped the tag on Bracco’s feet as she was sliding into home.

    “Destiney has a gun,” Adams said. “Once I saw the throw coming in, I knew it was meant to be.”

    Joe Corretjer said this team had many younger girls playing up, but he, along with assistant coaches Greg Benson and Bill Wagenstein, were happy with the progress the younger players made. He was especially pleased with the team’s younger wind millers, Olivia D’Amelio and Tara Sasso, who threw valubale innings in relief. This allowed Corretjer to limit the wear on Adams and Taylor Corretjer.

    “It is very satisfying for the girls and as a coach to come back and win another state championship,” Corretjer said.

 
Haverstraw  200 002 1 -- 5-9-0
Saugerties    000 010 1 -- 2-5-0
 
RBI -- Hv: Sam Wagenstein 2, Brianna Rivera, Destiney Jones; S: Maureen Bell, Hannah Bagshaw. 2B -- Hv: Brianna Rivera, Sam Wagenstein, Olivia D'Amelio; S: Magen Melville. WP -- Vittoria Adams. LP -- Taylor Snyder.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                      Monday, July 26, 2010
 
New York State Championships
Baseball-Minors
 
  Stony Points overcomes Commack South, 7-5 in 11 innings
    Pacella two-run double propels Stony Point to semis Tuesday
 
    WEST LEYDEN, N.Y. -- When the ball left Raymond Pacella's bat in the top of the 11th inning yesterday, would gravity take the ball down to earth quicker than he and the Stony Point fans wanted.
     Pacella's sinking line drive plunged toward the ground, bounced in and off a diving attempt by the Commack South center fielder, allowing Joshua Von Holt and John Freeman to score the go-ahead runs as Stony Point outlasted the Section 5 champion, 7-5 in pool play at the New York State Little League baseball minors' championships at North Central Little League.
     Stony Point advances to the semifinals Tuesday, 2 p.m. against an opponent to-be-determined.
     "The comments we heard from the parents and fans was that this was the most exciting little league game they ever saw," said a relieved Stony Point manager Ralph Pacella. "With the setting and the boys being in the this situation for the first time in their lives, they handled the pressure really well."
     Freeman, the fifth Stony Point pitcher of the game, threw 1 1/3 innings to earn the win. He entered the game in the bottom of the 10th with runners on second and third and two outs, and induced a ground out.
     Von Holt led off the pivotal 11th inning with a single and Freeman followed with a bunt base hit. A ground out advanced the runners before Pacella's decisive hit.
     Stony Point found itself trailing, 3-1 through three innings, but scored once in the fifth and evened the score in the top of the sixth when Cooney, who bunted for a base hit, advanced to second on a throwing error and scored when Steven Greeley reached base on an error.
     Stony Point grabbed its first lead of the game with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Once again, Cooney initiated it with a lead-off double. An error on a Raymond Pacella fly ball allowed Cooney to move to third. Greeley drilled a double to score Cooney and Pacella came in on a Collin Musto sacrifice fly.
     Commack South closed the lead to 5-4 on a lead-off home run. The Long Island team loaded the bases with no outs, but Stony Point turned consecutive force outs at home. First, Musto, the catcher, pounced on a dribbler in front of the plate and reached back to tag out the baserunner coming from third. The next batter hit a hot smash to Cooney at shortstop. He smothered it and, from his knees said Pacella, threw to Musto for the force.
     "The bottom line was the sparkling defense we played," Ralph Pacella said. "It was incredible and it kept us in game."
     And the pitching as Michael Bahrs and Von Holt threw two shut-out innings apiece.
 

Stony Point               001 011 020 02 -- 7-10-1
Commack South     012 000 020 00 -- 5-9-1
 
RBI -- SP: Raymond Pacella 2, Steven Greeley, Collin Musto. 2B -- SP: Chris Cooney, Steven Greeley, Raymond Pacella, Joshua Von Holt. WP -- John Freeman.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Championships
Softball-Minors
 
    Alonso throws one-hitter with 11 strikeouts as Stony Points rebounds with win
    Stony Point, Alonso blank Geddes, 6-0 to earn a berth in the semifinals
 
    FREDONIA -- Victoria Alonso took matters into her own hands yesterday.
     The Stony Point fireballing windmiller, who had pitched her team to the Section 4 title earlier in the week, responded with her team in need of a win.
     Alonso tossed a one-hitter and struck out 11 as Stony Poing blanked Geddes (Syracuse), 6-0 in pool play at New York State Little League softball minors' championships at Fredonia Little League.
     Stony Point advances to the semifinals tomorrow, 3:30 p.m. against an opponent to-be-determined.
     "Victoria was fantastic today," Stony Point manager Robert Alonso said. "She was hitting her spots and she was going after the hitters."
     Once Alonso, who allowed an infield single in the third inning, established her dominance in the circle, her teammates followed.
     "I think once the girls saw Victoria throwing a gem, they rallied behind her," Alonso said. "The confidence was contagious."
     Stony Point scored a run in the second ining, two in the third and tacked on three in the sixth.
     Brianna Williams got Stony Point going in the second inning with a walk. She stole second and third and scored on a passed ball. In the third, Rebecca Carey and Celia Santini singled, and Danielle Chiorazzi plated both with a base hit. Alonso opened the sixth inning with a double and was chased home on a Santini single. Santini would score on a Chiorazzi single and Williams brought in Chiorazzi with the final run.
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New York State Championships
Softball-Seniors
 
    Haverstraw to play for state championship tonight
    
    HAVERSTRAW -- Haverstraw completed an undefeated run during pool play yesterday with victories over North Syracuse, 12-2, and Saugerties, 12-1, in the New York State Little League seniors' championship at Haverstraw Little League.
     The 2009 state champions will defend their title against Saugerties, 7 p.m., tonight. The winner moves on to the Eastern Regionals in Worcester, Massachusetts, beginning Friday, July 30.
 
Sunday, July 25, 2010
 
New York State Little League Championships

Baseball -- Minors

   Stony Point foursome no-hits Mel Ott Little League in 2-0 win

    Victors score twice in first inning on Musto RBI and passed ball

    WEST LEYDEN, N.Y. -- Raymond Pacella, Joshua VonHolt, Brian Wholey and Michael Bahrs combined on a no-hitter yesterday as Stony Point opened with a 2-0 win over Mel Ott Little League (Section 1) in a New York State Little League baseball championships minors' game at North Central Little League field.

    Stony Point will play Commack South (Section 5) today, 2 p.m.

    Pacella struck out two in three innings to earn the win. VonHolt struck out one in the fourth inning, Wholey went 2/3 of an inning and Bahrs finished out the game for the save. Bahrs entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth and induced a comebacker to end the inning.

    "Each pitcher took a little time to settle in and when they did, they did a great job," Stony Point manager Ralph Pacella said. "I only wanted to have Brian throw 20 pitches because I needed him for tomorrow. Michael came in and the defense worked in his favor."

    Stony Point struck quickly, scoring twice in its first at-bat. Chris Cooney and Raymond Pacella drew consecutive walks. Collin Musto followed with a RBI single, scoring Cooney. Pacella advanced to third and scored on a passed ball.

    Mel Ott Little League threatened in the bottom of the first inning, but Stony Point turned a double play to end a rally.

    With runners on second and third and no outs, third baseman Dylan Jones fielded a ground ball, looked the runner back and threw to first, where first baseman John Freeman made a nice scoop. Freeman reacted immediately and threw a strike to catcher Musto, who slapped the tag on the baserunner trying to score from third.

    "In that first inning we did what we wanted to do which was score early and hopefully put the pressure on them," Ralph Pacella said. "That got us going and I think it helped us relax in the first, then we turned the double play."

    Musto later added a double, as did Cameron Price.

Stony Point                    200 000 -- 2-6-1

Mel Ott Little League 000 000 -- 0-0-1   

RBI -- Collin Musto. 2B -- SP: Cameron Price, Collin Musto. WP -- Raymond Pacella. Save -- Michael Bahrs.

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New York State Little League Championships

Softball -- Senior

    Haverstraw sweeps first two games over Massapequa International, West Shore     

    Offense erupts in 14-1 win over Massapequa, 10-1 triumph of West Shore

     HAVERSTRAW -- Vittoria Adams and two relievers, and Taylor Corretjer and two relievers threw one-hitters yesterday and the offense was sizzling hot as Haverstraw swept Massapequa International, 14-1, and West Shore (Staten Island), 10-1 in its first two games of the New York State Little League softball championships senior division at Haverstraw Little League.

     Haverstraw will play North Syracuse, 2 p.m., and Saugerties, 6 p.m., today to close out pool play. The 2009 state champions will advance to the final with two victories. The championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m., tomorrow.

     Haverstraw opened the day with the win over Massapequa. Corretjer paced the 11-hit barrage with a 4 for 4 showing, including a double and triple. Michelle Hoppe singled, doubled and drove in two runs. Destiney Jones, Sam Wagenstein and Adams each had two hits and a RBI.

     Adams went four innings, allowing one hit and striking out four before yielding to Olivia D'Amelio, who pitched one inning and Tara Sasso closed it out.

     Corretjer struck out nine of the 14 batters she faced in four innings and did not surrender a hit. Once again, D'Amelio pitched the fifth inning and Sasso the final two.

     Corretjer helped herself with three hits, including a two-run homer. Sam Wagenstein singled, doubled and had two RBI, Jones and Adams contributed two hits and a RBI apiece and Brittany Escribano had a two-run single.

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New York State Little League Championships

Softball -- Minors

    New Hyde Park defeats Stony Point, 4-3 in rain-shortened game     

    Game stopped after 3 1/2 innings

     FREDONIA, N.Y. -- New Hyde Park (Section 5) used a three-run first inning to hold off Stony Point, 4-3 in a game stopped after 3  1/2 innings because of rain at the New York State Little League softball championships minors' division at Fredonia Little League.

     Stony Point will play the Section 2 champion today, 2:30 p.m.

     Stony Point took the lead with two runs in the first inning as Danielle Chiorazzi continued her hot hitting with a single, scoring Victoria Alonso and Rebecca Carey. However, New Hyde Park scored three runs, including two unearned, in the bottom of the first and added another run in the second inning.

     Alonso brought Stony Point within a run in the fourth inning with a double, plating Leann Pulcino, then the rain came.

     Despite the loss, Stony Point manager Robert Alonso is not worried.

     "We told the girls we have to do what we do best, and that's hit the ball  and make the plays," Robert Alonso said. "The girls are still confident. We just have to make a few changes and execute and we will be fine."

 
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010
 

New York State Championships

10-11-year-old

   Nanuet shuts out South Shore in state softball opener

   Contreras throws one-hitter, strikes out six

   BALDWINSVILLE -- Michaela Contreras continued her excellent pitching with a one-hitter as Nanuet opened with an 8-0 win over South Shore (Stabe Island) in a New York State Little League softball 10-11-year-old game at Baldswinville Little League.

   Nanuet has today off and returns to the diamond tomorrow, 6 p.m. against Fairport (Western N.Y.).

   "Our defense was effective," Nanuet manager Phil Carbone said. "Alana (Prosapio) made a a sliding play and then Courtney (Carbone) made a great stretch. Alexa (Amalbert) threw out a baserunner trying to stretch a single into a double>

   "Michaela was keeping them off balance at the plate."

   Nanuet scored two runs in the first inning. Courtney Carbone led off with a walk, stole second and third and scored on a Prosapio sacrifice fly. Sneeden, who also walked and advanced to third, scored the second run on a passed ball.

   Mikaela Carey added a two-run single in the fourth inning, scoring Marisa D'Alessandro and Amalbert.

Yesterday's resutls

At Baldwinsville Little League

Pool play

Nanuet 8, South Shore (Section 5) 0

Fairport (Section 1) 12, Seneca River North (Section 2) 0

Today's results

Pool play

South Shore (5)  9, Seneca River North (2) 3

2 p.m. -- Fairport (1) vs. East Meadow (Seciton 6)

Monday's schedule

Pool play

3 p.m. -- Seneca River North (2) vs. East Meadow (6)

6 p.m. -- Fairport (1) vs. Nanuet

Tuesday's schedule

Pool play

3 p.m. -- South Shore (5) vs. East Meadow (6)

6 p.m. -- Seneca River North (2) vs. Nanuet

Wednesday's schedule

Pool play

3 p.m. -- East Meadow (6) vs. Nanuet

6 p.m. -- South Shore (5) vs. Fairport (1)

Thursday's schedule

Championship

Time, TBA -- Second place vs. First place

____________________________________________________

  Pearl River offense erupts in state baseball opener over Saratoga American

   Nine-run fourth inning seals an 11-1 win

   WEST SAND LAKE  -- Through three innings yesterday, Pearl River's offense was kept in check. However, it was only temporary.

   Pearl River amassed nine runs in the fourth inning and went on to an 11-1 win over Saratgoa American in a New York State Little League baseball 10-11-year-old game at Twin Town Little League.

   Pearl River will play Massapequa Coastal (L.I.), 2 p.m.. today.

   Andrew DeRubertis tossed a four-hitter and received excellent defensive support.

   Mark Russell opened the inning with a double and came around to score on three consecutive walks. Ryan McLinskey smoked a triple to empty the bases and Dolan Ocasal doubled in McLinskey. Two batters later, Conor Buckhout plated Ocasal with a double.

   Pearl River manager Marc Ocasal highlighted the defense, specifically Michal LaPoma and McLinskey. LaPoma threw a runner out trying to stretch a single into a a double in the third inning. McLinskey turned a double play in the fourth inning, snagging a line drive at third and throwing to first to get the runner at first.

Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010
 
New York State Baseball Championships
Majors
 
   Stony Point beats defending champ South Shore, 3-2 to win the New York State title
   Champs advance to Mid-Atlantic regional in Bristol; Greeley allows two hits in 5 1/3 innings, strikes out eight
 
    Tony Pinciaro
    TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com
 
    WEST NYACK -- The ball came off of Chris Nierva's bat hot, on two hops, with Stony Point third baseman Billy Rotella watching it intently.
    Rotella fielded the second big bounce, looking the ball into his glove, set himself, then threw a strike across the diamond that popped in first baseman Dan Wirchansky's glove. Once the first-base umpire made the out call, it touched off a celebration on the field and in a "sea of blue" in the stands at Germonds Park.
    Stony Point had just beaten defending champion South Shore National of Staten Island, 3-2 in the New York State Little League baseball majors championship game.
    As a result, Stony Point advances to the six-team Mid-Atlantic majors regional in Bristol, Ct., beginning Friday through Monday, Aug. 16. The six teams represent New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (Council Rock Newtown), Maryland (Railroaders), Delaware (Brandywine) and Washington, D.C. (Capitol City).
    Stony Point becomes the fifth Rockland County team to win a majors state championship, joining Haverstraw (1957 and 2008), New City (1972) and Ramapo (2005), according to Stony Point little league coach Bill Madden.
    John Greeley and Frankie Nigro combined on a three-hitter with Greeley going 5 1/3, allowing one run on two hits and striking out eight. Nigro did yield one run, but got the final two outs.
    "I just wanted to field the ball clean and make a good throw to first base," said the 12-year-old Rotella, a seventh-grader-to-be at Farley Middle School. "It was a perfect hop and I knew the throw would be there."
    Nigro, who received a huge birthday gift, courtesy of his teammates, albeit one day late, could not contain himself once Rotella fielded the ball.
    "It is the greatest feeling I've ever felt in my life," said Nigro, 13, and an eighth-grader-to-be at Fieldstone Secondary School.
    Stony Point overcame the powerful defending champ through a combination of Greeley's excellent outing, timely hitting and a clean defensive effort.
    Greeley knew what he had to do and executed the game plan.
    "Certain hitters I would have to hit my location because they are a good hitting team all the way down the order," Greeley said. "I was able to hit my location, mix my speeds and make them put the ball in play because we have an excellent defense."
    Stony Point scored in its first at-bat as Dan Wirchansky walked and Greeley fisted a pitch into left field for a single. Nigro grounded to third baseman Michael Russell, who stepped on third and threw to first for the double play. With two outs, Greeley advanced to third on a passed ball and scored when pinch-hitter Brian Bohlander's hard grounder to short took a wicked hop right and bounced off Anthony Scotti's glove, plating Greeley.
    "That gave us that little confidence that we could score off of these guys and it gave John a little bit of room to work with," Stony Point manager Brian Coyle said.
    South Shore evened the score in the second inning when Nierva walked and would score on a wild pitch. Stony Point would regain the lead for good in the third.
    Glenn Stila led off and was safe on an error. Following an out, Greeley was intentionally walked. Nigro flied out to center, but South Shore centerfielder Louis Mandile overthrew third base, allowing pinch runner Eric Sandusky and Greeley to move up. Sandusky scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch with Greeley moving to third. Pinch hitter Rob McFadden followed and hit a grounder to second baseman Robert Regina, but first baseman Sal Mauro veered to far to his right. McFadden raced down the line and beat South Shore pitcher Nicholas Meola, who was late covering, to the bag for a hit as Greeley charged home.
     Greeley allowed one more hit after the second inning and got the first out of the sixth, but hit the maximum pitch count, 85, before turning it over to Nigro. Nigro got Mandile to ground out, but Meola hit a 1-2 curveball over the center-field fence. Following Meola's home run, Coyle spoke to the umpires about two South Shore players who had yet to play in the game. A meeting with home-plate umpire Eric Black, tournament director Jim Medlar and South Shore manager Michael Zuccariello result in an approximate 10-minute delay. Nigro's infielders came to the mound to talk to him.
    "When the coaches were discussing the subs, my teammates told me to keep my composure and I was able to get myself back together," Nigro said. "When I got to 3 and 1 on the next batter, I just wanted to throw it to Ben (Muller's) glove and hope that they hit it on the ground to one of our infielders."
    "This feels great," Rotella said. "I've never been to Bristol before. Hopefully, we can make it to Williamsport."
 

South Shore  010 001 -- 2-3-2
Stony Point   100 20x -- 3-4-0
 
RBI -- SS: Nicholas Meola; SP: Brian Bohlander, Rob McFadden. 2B -- SS: Nicholas Meola; SP: Billy Rotella. HR -- SS: Nicholas Meola. WP -- John Greeley. LP -- Nicholas Meola.

 
Stony Point 003 546 -- 18-16-3
Auburn         100 042 -- 7-9-4
 
RBI -- SP: Glenn Stila 3, Austin Pinelli 3, John Greeley 3, Brian Bohlander 3, Frank Nigro, Billy Rotella, Eric Sandusky, Dan Wirchansky; A: Joe Dyson 3, Shane Lawrence, Terry Daniels, Pat LaDouce. 2B -- SP: Austin Pinelli, Billy Rotella; A: Nick Petrosino, Shane Lawrence, Terry Daniels. HR -- SP: Glenn Stila, John Greeley, Billy Rotella; A: Joe Dyson. WP -- Dan Wirchansky. LP -- Nick Petrosino.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                                                                                              Sunday, August 1, 2010

New York State Baseball Championships

Majors

   Stony Point dials up the power in 17-0 victory over Sunrise
   Pinelli, Greeley hit two home runs apiece as Stony Point belts five
 
    Tony Pinciaro
    TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com
 
    WEST NYACK -- Stony Point exhibited a power display yesterday that would make Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. envious.
    The District 18 champions hit five home runs, including four in the fourth inning, in a 17-0 four-inning victory over Sunrise (L.I.) in pool play of the New York State Little League baseball majors championship at Germonds Park.
    Stony Point will play Auburn in a semifinal today, 4:30 p.m. This will be preceeded by the first semifinal -- Sunrise against defending state champion South Shore at 2 p.m. The semi-final winners will play for the title tomorrow, 7 p.m. The champion advances to the East Regional in Bristol, Ct.
    Austin Pinelli initiated the power surge with a two-run homer in the first inning as Stony Point immediately grabbed a 4-0 lead. Stony Point dialed up the power in a 13-run fourth inning, clearing the outfield fence four times. John Greeley hit a three-run homer off the scoreboard in center field. Two batters later, Ben Muller jacked a two-run shot over the left-field fence. Pinelli kept it going, smoking his second of the game, which cleared the center-field fence and landed on Finkel Field. Greeley capped the inning with a grand slam to right field.
    This is the second time in Stony Point's last three games that it ripped at least four home runs. Stony Point smashed four, including two by Dan Wirchansky, in the deciding game of the Section 4 championships.
    "Everyone has been hitting the ball hard, we're making good contact and we're not striking out," said winning pitcher Eric Sandusky, a 12-year-old seventh-grader-to-be at Farley Middle School.
    Pinelli's first home run came with two outs and followed Brian Bohlander's two-run single, scoring Greeley and Frankie Nigro. Pinelli, who was down in the count, 1-2, was not trying to do too much with the bat.
    "With two strikes I didn't want to swing at a high pitch," said the 13-year-old Pinelli, an eighth-grader-to-be at Fieldstone Secondary School. "I was just looking to make contact. I didn't really expect to hit a home run."
    His second home run was quite different, though. Once aluminum met the ball, Pinelli knew the result.
    "That one felt even better because I hit that right on the sweet spot," said Pinelli with a smile.
    Once Stony Point scored four runs in the first inning, it appeared to be enough for Sandusky. The left-hander, who threw two score-less innings and struck out four in Stony Point's 6-0 win over East Greenbush Thursday, was on his game.
    Sandusky finished with a three-hitter and six strikeouts. He also closed out the game, starting a 1-6-3 double play in the fourth inning. Along with a glove-popping fastball, Sandusky, who gained confidence from his relief outing Thursday, had his curveball dancing.
    "I think it would have been harder to start if I never pitched in the state championships before," Sandusky said. "I thought I was throwing hard today. When we scored four runs, that helped me because I knew I just had to throw strikes. Even if they scored a run or two, we still would have been up.
    "I'm always changing the grip on my fastball, but today, I found a good grip on it and it just felt good throwing it."
    Following the win, Stony Point began focusing on Auburn.
    "It feels really good to win today," Pinelli said. "I hope we win tomorrow and make it really far."
 

Stony Point 400 (13) -- 17-17-1
Sunrise         000 0 -- 0-3-2
 
RBI -- John Greeley 7, Austin Pinelli 4, Ben Muller 2, Brian Bohlander 2, Dan Wirchansky 2. 2B -- SP: Eric Sandusky, Brian Bohlander. HR -- Austin Pinelli 2, John Greeley 2, Ben Muller. WP -- Eric Sandusky. LP -- Ralph Recchio.

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Friday, July 30, 2010

New York State Baseball Championships

Majors

   Martinez, Sandusky combine on two-hitter in Stony Point 6-0 win over East Greenbush
    Pitching tandem strikes out 11, Stila two-run homer highlights five-run second inning
 
    WEST NYACK -- Three games in three days left the Stony Point pitching staff stretched out.
     Stony Point manager Brian Coyle and coach John Greeley were facing a fourth consecutive game in as many days, leaving the question, 'Who do we start?'
     Mike Martinez, the team's youngest player, said Coyle, was given the ball and he showed how deep Stony Point's staff is
     Martinez struck out seven in four innings then Eric Sandusky slammed the door closed the final two innings as Stony Point shut out East Greenbush, 6-0 in pool play of the New York State Little League baseball majors championship at Germonds Park.
     Stony Point will have a well-deserved day off before returning to play Sunrise (Section 6) tomorrow, 3:30 p.m. This game will be preceeded by Maine-Endwell-Auburn at noon. South Shore (Staten Island), the 2009 New York State titlist, opened the championship with an 11-1 win over Maine-Endwell.
     Today's games are Auburn playing South Shore, 5:30 p.m. followed by East Greenbush against Sunrise, 7:45 p.m.
     Coyle pointed out this is the third consecutive year this Stony Point team has played East Greenbush in the state championships. They met as 10-year-olds and last year as 11-year-olds.
     "Having three games in three days, then a fourth game really strapped our pitching," Coyle said. "Here we are in the state championship and we turn to Mike, who is the youngest kid on the team, and say, 'Here you go.'
    "Mike came through with flying colors. He was throwing the ball hard and he got himself out of two jams in the first and second innings. Then Eric came in and was like a man on a mission. He was throwing gas."
    Coyle noted that East Greenbush had the bases loaded in the first inning with one out and had runners on second and third in the second inning, also with one out.
    Sandusky rang up four strikeouts among his six outs.
 

East Greenbush 000 000 -- 0-2-2
Stony Point         050 01x -- 6-5-0
 
RBI -- Glenn Stila 2, Brian Bohlander, Mike Martinez. 2B -- SP: Mike Martinez. 3B -- EG: Philips. HR -- Glenn Stila. WP -- Mike Martinez. LP -- Phillips.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

New York State Baseball Championships

Minors

   Commack South defeats Stony Point, 3-2 in state final

    Greeley and Wholey combine on two-hitter for Stony Point

    WEST LEYDEN -- Commack South (L.I.) scored three runs in the first inning then held off Stony Point the remainder of the game yesterday  in a 3-2 win in the New York State Little League baseball minors championship at North Central Little League.

    Commack South  advances to the inaugural Northeast regional championship, July 31-Aug. 8, in Cranston, R.I. This was Stony Point's only loss of the all-star season.

    Raymond Pacella gave Stony Point a 1-0 lead with a home run in the top of the first inning, but Commack South answered with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first.

    Stony Point cut the lead to one, at 3-2, in the fourth inning. Collin Musto was hit by a pitch and Pete Lombardi came in to pinch run. Lomardi would later score on a Brian Wholey ground out.

    Stony Point manager Ralph Pacella said his team had opportunities, but Commack South was equal to the challenge.

    "We usually capitalize on other teams' mistakes, but the Commack defensen made no errors," he said. "We usually benefit by putting the ball in play, but their pitcher beared down and got strikeouts in big spots against us."

    In the second inning, John John Morina and Lombardi bunted for base hits, but the next three batters struck out. After Lombardi scored in the fourth, Stony Point worked out three walks, loading the bases, but Commack South got out of the inning with a strikeout.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

New York State Championships

Majors baseball

     West Nyack Little League to host state championships beginning today

    Germonds Park will be the site of the 2010 New York State Little League baseball majors' championship, beginning today through Monday, Aug. 2.

     The six-team tournament includes Stony Point, Auburn (Section 2), Maine-Endwell (Section 2), East Greenbush Castleton (Section 3), South Shore National (Section 5) and Sunrise (Section 6).

     Maine-Endwell and South Shore open the tournament with a 5:30 p.m. game on Dexter Field, followed at 7:45 p.m. by East Greenbush Castleton against Stony Point.

     "We are honored to be such a crucial step on the Road to Williamsport," Tournament director Jim Medler said. "We feel this is a great opportunity to display our facilites and our organization to the best teams in the state."

     Medler said West Nyack Little League hosted the 10-11-year-old state championships in 2005.

     Stony Point's presence will add to the excitement.

     "With Stony Point qualifying, we are expecting a lot of local interest and we anticipate large crowds for the Stony Point games, especially if they are fortunate enough to make it to the semifinals and championship game," Medler said. "We hosted 11-year-old sectionals last year, which Stony Point won. This is the third time they are participating in a tournament we hosted as they won the Rockland County 9 Year Old Tournament in 2007."

     "That makes it good," said Stony Point pitcher/shortstop John Greeley of playing at West Nyack. "We've played on the field before so we know what it's like."

Today's schedule

New York State Championships

At Germonds Park (West Nyack)

Majors

5:30 pm. -- Auburn (Section 1) vs. Maine-Endwell (Section 2)

7:45 p.m. -- East Greenbush Castleton (Section 3) vs. Stony Point

Friday's schedule

New York State Championships

At Germonds Park (West Nyack)

Majors

5:30 p.m. -- Auburn (Section 2) vs. South Shore National (Section 5)

7:45 pm. -- East Greenbush Castleton (Section 3) vs. Sunrise (Section 6)

 
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
 

New York State Championships
Baseball - Minors
 
   Stony Point hits its way to state final in 13-1 win over Jamesville-DeWitt
   Pacella, Morina lead offensive barrage
 
     WEST LEYDEN -- Raymond Pacella had three hits and John John Morina added two hits yesterday as Stony Point overwhelmed Jamesville-DeWitt (Syracuse), 13-1 in a New York State Little League minors baseball semifinal at North Central Little League.
     Stony Point will play Commack South of Long Island, 4:30 p.m, today, for the championship.
     Pacella tossed a three-hitter and struck out eight.
     Stony Point trailed 1-0 through three innings but the bats came alive in an eight-run fourth inning uprising. Steven Greeley and Pacella started the inning with consecutive singles. Collin Musto doubled his teammates home and Morina followed with a run-scoring single. Stony Point also capitalized on three walks.
      In the fifth inning, Stony Point added five more runs with Brian Wholey and Morina singling to start things off. Pacella added a two-run double later in the inning.
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New York State Championships
Softball - Minors
 
   Half Hollow Hills early surge denies Stony Point, 8-4 in a semifinal
   Stony Point baseball wins semifinal, 12-1
 
    FREDONIA -- Half Hollow Hills registered five runs in the first two innings then held off StonyPoint for a 7-4 win yesterday in the New York State Little League softball championships minors division at Fredonia Little League.
     Half Hollow Hills, the Section 6 champion, advances to the championship game today.
     Even though the Long Island team opened quickly, Stony Point did answer back with two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Celia Santini hit a "mammoth" home run, according to Stony Point manager Robert Alonso, also scoring Carey.
     The one-run deficit did not last though, as Half Hollow Hills matched Stony Point's two runs with two of its own in the second, making the score, 5-2. Both runs were unearned.
     Stony Point added a run in the third as Carey was hit by a pitch and Santini walked. Danielle Chiorazzi, who has been on fire with the aluminum, doubled in Carey.
     However, once again, Half Hollow Hills had an answer, scoring twice in the top of the fourth. Chiorazzi brought home Stony Point's final run, in the bottom of the fourth, with a sacrifice bunt, scoring Lauren Geary.
     Victoria Alonso relieved Brianna Williams to open the second and finished with 10 strikeouts.
     "We had our opportunities, but there defense was on it," Robert Alonso said. "When we got to 7-4, I felt we were trying to get those three runs with one swing. We were swinging at alot of first pitches."
     Despite the final result, Alonso said Stony Point softball team achieved a first, becoming the first group to win a sectional title and play in the state championships.
     "It has been a great season and I couldn't be any prouder for a group of girls," he said. "Not many people have taken this ride this far as a manager. To me, the ride is not an end but a beginning of more to come. We made a point, that Stony Point softball is for real and we will be back."
     Alonso also enjoyed it because he did this with his daughter, Victoria.
     "Victoria accomplished something as a 10-year-old that is more than I could of dreamt of in my lifetime," said the proud father.
 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

New York State Championships

Softball-Seniors

  Adams pitches Haverstraw to state championship in 5-2 win over Saugerties

   Haverstraw off to Eastern Regional, Wagenstein two-run double is key hit
 
    Tony Pinciaro
    TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com
 
   HAVERSTRAW -- Once the ball nestled into teammate Taylor Corretjer's glove for the final out, a huge smile engulfed Vittoria Adams' face yesterday.
    The Haverstraw pitcher discarded her glove and was immediately embraced by catcher Brianna Rivera as the celebration began.
    Adams has just secured the last out, leading Haverstraw to a 5-2 victory over Saugerties and the New York State Little League softball senior championship at Leo Ladders Post #130 Memorial Field.
    Haverstraw, the 2009 Eastern Region champion, moves on looking to defend its title beginning Saturday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 5. in Worcester, Ma. Haverstraw opens with the New Jersey representative, Saturday, 2 p.m. at Jesse Burkett Little League.
    The title is also an early present for Adams, who will celebrate her birthday today.
    "It's amazing," said Adams, with a beeming smile. "When Taylor caught it, I was ecstatic."
    Adams tossed a five-hitter and struck out seven. Haverstraw gave Adams a 2-0 lead in the first and she made it hold up. When Saugerties closed to within a run, 2-1, in the fifth inning, Sam Wagenstein increased the lead to three runs, 4-1, with a two-run double in the top of the sixth.
    "Vittoria always does good," Wagenstein said. "She is a great pitcher."
    Repeating as state champions was especially sweet for the returning players. Even though numerous players from the 2009 team moved on, including Krystn Benson, Haverstraw showed it was still the team to beat.
    "The younger girls really stepped up this year," Wagenstein said.
    While the younger girls contributed to the title, it was the veteran Adams who was on her game.
    Adams retired the first 11 batters she faced, including five consecutive strikeouts spanning the second and third innings. Adams was bringing the heat and doing a excellent job of pounding the inside corner against Saugerties' right-handed hitters. And when Adams had Saugerties guessing low and in, she blew a fastball by them.
    Haverstraw wasted little time in asserting itself. Corretjer opened the game with a walk, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After one out, Rivera ripped a Taylor Snyder pitch that one-hopped the wall in left center, scoring Corretjer. Rivera moved to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch.   
    Saugerties broke through in the fifth inning Maureen Bell’s two-out single, bringing home pinch runner Sydney Dennis. Dennis ran for Courtney O’Connor, who singled with one out. Dennis promptly swiped second and third.

    Whatever momentum Saugerties may have had was quickly extinguished by Haverstraw in the sixth.

Michelle Hoppe led off with a single to left and stole second. Following a ground out, Destiney Jones ripped a single to center with Hoppe stopping at third. Wagenstein jumped ahead in the count, 2-0, and received the green light from Haverstraw manager Joe Corretjer.

    Wagenstein roped the 2-0 pitch to the fence in center field, scoring Hoppe and Jones.

    “The pitch was right down the middle, right where I like it,” Wagenstein said. “I swung my hardest and was hoping I was going to get a hit. As I was running to second base it was such a great feeling.”

    A three-run lead with Adams in the circle was secure but Saugerties did bounce back in the bottom of the sixth. Donna Bracco opened with a single and stole second base. Adams retired the next two batters before Snyder smashed a single up the middle. Jones, the center fielder, charged the ball and unleashed a perfect throw to the plate for Rivera, who grabbed it and slapped the tag on Bracco’s feet as she was sliding into home.

    “Destiney has a gun,” Adams said. “Once I saw the throw coming in, I knew it was meant to be.”

    Joe Corretjer said this team had many younger girls playing up, but he, along with assistant coaches Greg Benson and Bill Wagenstein, were happy with the progress the younger players made. He was especially pleased with the team’s younger wind millers, Olivia D’Amelio and Tara Sasso, who threw valubale innings in relief. This allowed Corretjer to limit the wear on Adams and Taylor Corretjer.

    “It is very satisfying for the girls and as a coach to come back and win another state championship,” Corretjer said.

 
Haverstraw  200 002 1 -- 5-9-0
Saugerties    000 010 1 -- 2-5-0
 
RBI -- Hv: Sam Wagenstein 2, Brianna Rivera, Destiney Jones; S: Maureen Bell, Hannah Bagshaw. 2B -- Hv: Brianna Rivera, Sam Wagenstein, Olivia D'Amelio; S: Magen Melville. WP -- Vittoria Adams. LP -- Taylor Snyder.

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Monday, July 26, 2010
 
New York State Championships
Baseball-Minors
 
    Stony Points overcomes Commack South, 7-5 in 11 innings
    Pacella two-run double propels Stony Point to semis Tuesday
 
    WEST LEYDEN, N.Y. -- When the ball left Raymond Pacella's bat in the top of the 11th inning yesterday, would gravity take the ball down to earth quicker than he and the Stony Point fans wanted.
     Pacella's sinking line drive plunged toward the ground, bounced in and off a diving attempt by the Commack South center fielder, allowing Joshua Von Holt and John Freeman to score the go-ahead runs as Stony Point outlasted the Section 5 champion, 7-5 in pool play at the New York State Little League baseball minors' championships at North Central Little League.
     Stony Point advances to the semifinals Tuesday, 2 p.m. against an opponent to-be-determined.
     "The comments we heard from the parents and fans was that this was the most exciting little league game they ever saw," said a relieved Stony Point manager Ralph Pacella. "With the setting and the boys being in the this situation for the first time in their lives, they handled the pressure really well."
     Freeman, the fifth Stony Point pitcher of the game, threw 1 1/3 innings to earn the win. He entered the game in the bottom of the 10th with runners on second and third and two outs, and induced a ground out.
     Von Holt led off the pivotal 11th inning with a single and Freeman followed with a bunt base hit. A ground out advanced the runners before Pacella's decisive hit.
     Stony Point found itself trailing, 3-1 through three innings, but scored once in the fifth and evened the score in the top of the sixth when Cooney, who bunted for a base hit, advanced to second on a throwing error and scored when Steven Greeley reached base on an error.
     Stony Point grabbed its first lead of the game with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Once again, Cooney initiated it with a lead-off double. An error on a Raymond Pacella fly ball allowed Cooney to move to third. Greeley drilled a double to score Cooney and Pacella came in on a Collin Musto sacrifice fly.
     Commack South closed the lead to 5-4 on a lead-off home run. The Long Island team loaded the bases with no outs, but Stony Point turned consecutive force outs at home. First, Musto, the catcher, pounced on a dribbler in front of the plate and reached back to tag out the baserunner coming from third. The next batter hit a hot smash to Cooney at shortstop. He smothered it and, from his knees said Pacella, threw to Musto for the force.
     "The bottom line was the sparkling defense we played," Ralph Pacella said. "It was incredible and it kept us in game."
     And the pitching as Michael Bahrs and Von Holt threw two shut-out innings apiece.
 

Stony Point               001 011 020 02 -- 7-10-1
Commack South     012 000 020 00 -- 5-9-1
 
RBI -- SP: Raymond Pacella 2, Steven Greeley, Collin Musto. 2B -- SP: Chris Cooney, Steven Greeley, Raymond Pacella, Joshua Von Holt. WP -- John Freeman.

Baseball -- Minors

   Stony Point foursome no-hits Mel Ott Little League in 2-0 win

    Victors score twice in first inning on Musto RBI and passed ball

    WEST LEYDEN, N.Y. -- Raymond Pacella, Joshua VonHolt, Brian Wholey and Michael Bahrs combined on a no-hitter yesterday as Stony Point opened with a 2-0 win over Mel Ott Little League (Section 1) in a New York State Little League baseball championships minors' game at North Central Little League field.

    Stony Point will play Commack South (Section 5) today, 2 p.m.

    Pacella struck out two in three innings to earn the win. VonHolt struck out one in the fourth inning, Wholey went 2/3 of an inning and Bahrs finished out the game for the save. Bahrs entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth and induced a comebacker to end the inning.

    "Each pitcher took a little time to settle in and when they did, they did a great job," Stony Point manager Ralph Pacella said. "I only wanted to have Brian throw 20 pitches because I needed him for tomorrow. Michael came in and the defense worked in his favor."

    Stony Point struck quickly, scoring twice in its first at-bat. Chris Cooney and Raymond Pacella drew consecutive walks. Collin Musto followed with a RBI single, scoring Cooney. Pacella advanced to third and scored on a passed ball.

    Mel Ott Little League threatened in the bottom of the first inning, but Stony Point turned a double play to end a rally.

    With runners on second and third and no outs, third baseman Dylan Jones fielded a ground ball, looked the runner back and threw to first, where first baseman John Freeman made a nice scoop. Freeman reacted immediately and threw a strike to catcher Musto, who slapped the tag on the baserunner trying to score from third.

    "In that first inning we did what we wanted to do which was score early and hopefully put the pressure on them," Ralph Pacella said. "That got us going and I think it helped us relax in the first, then we turned the double play."

    Musto later added a double, as did Cameron Price.

Stony Point                    200 000 -- 2-6-1

Mel Ott Little League 000 000 -- 0-0-1   

RBI -- Collin Musto. 2B -- SP: Cameron Price, Collin Musto. WP -- Raymond Pacella. Save -- Michael Bahrs.

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New York State Little League Championships

Softball -- Senior

    Haverstraw sweeps first two games over Massapequa International, West Shore     

    Offense erupts in 14-1 win over Massapequa, 10-1 triumph of West Shore

     HAVERSTRAW -- Vittoria Adams and two relievers, and Taylor Corretjer and two relievers threw one-hitters yesterday and the offense was sizzling hot as Haverstraw swept Massapequa International, 14-1, and West Shore (Staten Island), 10-1 in its first two games of the New York State Little League softball championships senior division at Haverstraw Little League.

     Haverstraw will play North Syracuse, 2 p.m., and Saugerties, 6 p.m., today to close out pool play. The 2009 state champions will advance to the final with two victories. The championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m., tomorrow.

     Haverstraw opened the day with the win over Massapequa. Corretjer paced the 11-hit barrage with a 4 for 4 showing, including a double and triple. Michelle Hoppe singled, doubled and drove in two runs. Destiney Jones, Sam Wagenstein and Adams each had two hits and a RBI.

     Adams went four innings, allowing one hit and striking out four before yielding to Olivia D'Amelio, who pitched one inning and Tara Sasso closed it out.

     Corretjer struck out nine of the 14 batters she faced in four innings and did not surrender a hit. Once again, D'Amelio pitched the fifth inning and Sasso the final two.

     Corretjer helped herself with three hits, including a two-run homer. Sam Wagenstein singled, doubled and had two RBI, Jones and Adams contributed two hits and a RBI apiece and Brittany Escribano had a two-run single.

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New York State Little League Championships

Softball -- Minors

    New Hyde Park defeats Stony Point, 4-3 in rain-shortened game     

    Game stopped after 3 1/2 innings

     FREDONIA, N.Y. -- New Hyde Park (Section 5) used a three-run first inning to hold off Stony Point, 4-3 in a game stopped after 3  1/2 innings because of rain at the New York State Little League softball championships minors' division at Fredonia Little League.

     Stony Point will play the Section 2 champion today, 2:30 p.m.

     Stony Point took the lead with two runs in the first inning as Danielle Chiorazzi continued her hot hitting with a single, scoring Victoria Alonso and Rebecca Carey. However, New Hyde Park scored three runs, including two unearned, in the bottom of the first and added another run in the second inning.

     Alonso brought Stony Point within a run in the fourth inning with a double, plating Leann Pulcino, then the rain came.

     Despite the loss, Stony Point manager Robert Alonso is not worried.

     "We told the girls we have to do what we do best, and that's hit the ball  and make the plays," Robert Alonso said. "The girls are still confident. We just have to make a few changes and execute and we will be fine."