On Saturday, June 13, the New York State Southeast Regional Champion baseball team from Oyster Bay faced off against the Wildcats of Maple Hill, New York in round one of the New York State final four championship. Before the game began it was announced that Joe Carbone was chosen by the coaches to be honored with the sportsmanship award.
Jake Robinson took the mound for the Baymen and pitched admirably against the heavily favored Wildcats. He kept the opponents guessing with his arsenal of breaking balls and fastballs.
Maple Hill sat their pitching ace, Jaime Schulz, on the bench in anticipation of winning the first round and using him for the final round later that afternoon. By the fourth inning it looked like the Baymen would win as they were sending many balls into the outfield against Maple Hill’s starting pitcher Mike Doughtee. With the Baymen bats coming to life and Jake Robinson able to hold the Wildcats to within one run, Maple Hill brought Schultz off the bench and on to the mound. The young pitcher had a rocket of an arm and was throwing fastballs registering over 90 miles per hour.
In the face of an awesome talent, the Baymen were still able to battle back. In their last at bat in regulation play, Matt Capozzo scored the tying run off the bat of Marc Douglas sending the game into extra innings. Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth inning. In the ninth inning winning pitcher Jaime Schulz singled in the winning run which gave Maple Hill a 3-2 victory. Maple Hill went on to win the New York State championship in a 19-2 romp of Frewsburg in the afternoon game.
Oyster Bay which had over 50 fans who made the five-hour trip from Long Island to cheer on their Baymen were proud of their team for the determination and hang tough attitude displayed by the team from the first pitch to the last out. While leaving the field, spectators from Maple Hill were overheard saying what great sportsmanship Oyster Bay and their players displayed.
Oyster Bay was well represented that day in Binghamton as the Nassau County Class ‘C’ and New York State Southeast Regional title holders conducted themselves like the champions they are. Coach Jay Davis said, “I am very proud of the players and coaches. Most high school athletes never get to compete in a state final four championship. It is phenomenal that many of our athletes competed in two in one year. It is great for our kids and great for our school and community.”
