Quakers Defeat Bishop McGann-Mercy
After defeating East Rockaway, two games to one in the best of three County Championship series, Friends Academy’s baseball team advanced to the regional semi-finals and Long Island Class C Championship game on June 6 at Farmingdale State College. The Friends Quakers faced the high scoring Suffolk Class C Champions, Bishop McGann-Mercy Monarchs with Junior Sam Harrington of Locust Valley on the mound.
The game started well for the Monarchs with a triple and an RBI single early in the first, but the Quakers responded right away with a triple by senior first baseman Pete Kaplan of Roslyn, and an RBI single by freshman shortstop, Alek Kucich of Manhasset, to tie the score. Friends’ infield turned two big double plays in the first two innings, with terrific defensive plays by senior third baseman Shon Butani of Rockville Center and junior second baseman Chris Campbell of Huntington, to keep Mercy from scoring.
The game broke open for Friends in the third inning when senior catcher, Chris Crowley of Oyster Bay hit a grand slam to go ahead 5-1. Friends added 2 runs in the 4th inning with RBI singles by Campbell and Harrington, bringing the score to 7-1. In the 5th inning, Mercy scored their second run, but Harrington struck out the next batter to end the inning.
Battery mates Crowley and Harrington were named co-MVPs of the game, Crowley for his grand slam and fine play behind the plate, and Harrington for pitching a complete game win and an RBI. “With our 11 hits and no errors in the field,” said Harrington, “this was a complete team victory. We came ready to play and to win.” The Quakers celebrated their Coach Marshall Lindner’s 61st birthday by giving him the best birthday present, the Long Island Class C Championship.
