Merillon 8U Red Sharks Win National Junior Baseball League Championship
After a long summer season, the Red Sharks opened the playoff series against the number one seeded Oceanside Mariners. Five excellent innings from the starting pitcher Cenzo Montoni, gave the Red Sharks a 2 to 1 lead going into the 5th inning. Scoreless middle relief appearances by Justin Yang, Adrian Balkom, and Virag Shah gave the Merillon bats time to heat up. Mathew Merolla hit a 2 run homerun, Phil Schurr had a 2 out RBI, Christopher Piccirillo hit a long double into left scoring 2, Yanni Vlantis hit a rope to center scoring 2 and Danny McClellan hit a base-hit to right to add insurance runs. Defense was key to the victory as Matt Strocchia made great plays at third. Outfield play was also key as Paulie Depaulis and Abideen Dauti tracked down liners in the outfield. The Oceanside victory led the Sharks to the title game.
With the pitching staff at a disadvantage as many arms were used during the HBQVB tourney, Mathew Strocchia stepped in to start the championship game against the North Shore Bombers knowing he would have to go at least 4 innings to help his team. He pitched 4 solid innings and kept the Red Sharks in the game at 3 to 3 after 4. The bats again awakened with hits by Cenzo Montoni, Adrian Balkom, Abideen Dauti, Danny McClellan, Philip Schurr, Christopher Piccirilo, Yanni Vlantis, and Virag Shah, in the fifth to score 5 runs and take the lead 8 to 3. Christopher Piccirillo came in relief of Matt S. and pitched great. He was helped with good defense by the entire team. In the home 7th, with 2 outs and the Bombers starting a rally, Paul Depaulis came in and shut them down. Victory was ours and the boys were thrilled. Although Alessandro Gullo was not able to be with the team during the playoff run, his efforts in the regular season helped the team get to their goal.
Merillon U8 Blue Sharks vs. East Williston # 2
The Sharks pulled off another victory in spectacular fashion by the score of 8-6. We were down by 2 runs going into the top of the 6th and scored 4 runs to take the lead. Michael Femia was able to get out of jam in the bottom half of the 6th with the tying run on second base. Franco Dimilta and Demetris Panouis combined for 2 scoreless no hit innings with 4 strikeouts. The offense was led by Demetris and Ryan Wasserman who were a combined 4 for 6 with 2 RBIs. Also contributing on offense was Sam Motelson 1 for 3 with 1 RBI, Stephen DeRocchis 1 for 2 with 1 RBI and Franco 1 for 3 with 1 RBI. Go Sharks!
Floral Park vs. Merillon U8 Blue Sharks
On a beautiful night for baseball in NHP, the Sharks came away with a tie by the score of 5-5 in a game shortened by darkness. It was a very tight game that was well played by both teams. The pitching was lead by Demetris Panouis who gave up one hit and no runs. The offense was lead by Stephen DeRocchis who was 2 for 2 with 2 RBI for the second time in 3 games. Also contributing on offense was Ryan Gaudio who was 1 for 2 with 1 RBI, Michael Femia who was 1 for 3 with an RBI, Sam Motelson who was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Ryan Wasserman who was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 4 stolen bases. Jackson Benjamin made two great catches, one on a fly ball to the outfield and one on a pop up while catching. It was a great all-around team effort. Go Sharks!
Garden City # 3 vs. Merillon U8 Blue Sharks
On a beautiful night for baseball in NHP, the Sharks came away with their 8th straight victory by a score of 3-2. The game was won with great pitching, great defense and timely hitting. The pitching was lead by 6 different pitchers. Way to go Demetris, Ryan W, Jackson, Franco, Ben and Michael. The offense was lead by Stephen DeRocchis who was 2 for 2 with 2 RBI. William Regan was 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored and Matthew Bloom contributed with an RBI. The game was saved by two great plays in last inning. The first one happened when Ben Bidner threw a strike from center field to Ryan Wasserman who then applied the tag to the runner who was trying to stretch a single into a double. The next one was a smart heads up play made by Jackson Benjamin who hustled to pick up a wild throw to first base then made a long throw to third. Michael Femia then made a great leaping catch and applied the tag to the runner who had overrun 3rd base. It was a great all-around team effort. The Garden City team played a great game in spite of coming up short. Go Sharks!
Merillon U8 Blue Sharks vs. Garden City # 1
The Sharks continued their hot streak with another victory by the score of 12-1. Five different pitchers combined for a 4 hitter. Our pitchers were Franco Dimilta, Sam Motelson, Ryan Wasserman, Demetris Panouis and Vincent Gambino. The offense was lead by Ryan W who was 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs and Vincent G. who was also 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs. Great offensive contributions from Matthew Bloom who was 2 for 2 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Also contributing on offense was Demetris P who was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Michael Femia had a rocket double with an RBI. The defense played a solid game. Sam M made a great catch on a foul pop at first and Matthew B made a grab on a looping liner to end the game. Go Sharks!
Merillon Little League Summer Scores
Merrilon 10U Girls All Stars Make Tournament Finals
The Merillon 10U All Stars placed second in the Hicksville Summer Tournament, defeating Baldwin and Central Nassau to reach the Championship game against Hicksville. After playing in Williamsport District play and going to the final game, only to lose to Manhasset, the Merillon 10U team, placed 3rd in the Floral Park Tournament. The girls moved onto the Hicksville tournament and found their groove, led by pitchers Jillian Cooper and Lauren Wasserman. Jillian Cooper was pitching lights out for two straight games, shutting down a tough Central Nassau Team, only allowing 2 runs in three innings. Sophia Leeds led the team with nine hits, including three doubles. She was also the starting catcher and made a great put out at home plate to save a game. Isabella Fazzolari also had nine hits in the tournament and had some great plays at first base. Speedy Joanna Mauceri had six hits, stole 6 bases and covered center field like Willie Mays. Lauren Wasserman had five big hits including two doubles and one triple. Paulina Valentine had 4 big hits, with one double. She was all over the infield diving for fly balls, all playing the short stop position. Logan Ward had two key hits, stole 4 bases and scored 6 runs. Michaela Zabicki shared the catching duties with Leeds. Michaela also had four big hits and scored six runs, one a bang bang play at home plate that gave us the lead against Central Nassau. Daniella Connor had a nice hit, walked six times, scores 4 runs and made some nice plays at second base and right field. Daniella had the assist with the put out at home plate with a great throw from deep right field. This team played hard all weekend, but most of all, they had fun.
