Junior Minors Upper
Phillies Vs. Mariners
It was bright and early in the morning when Phillies coaches Bill Sullivan (coffee in hand), Kevin Wu and Andy Wyatt led their team onto the field. The Phillies leadoff batter Antonio Julbela-Gordon hit a grounder, but the Mariners were sharp and fielded it; thus it was up to hits by Joshua Fish, Oscar Sullivan, and Luke Marable to bring in the game’s first run.
In the bottom of the second, the Mariners’ bats came to life with four hits, giving the Phillies fielding trouble and propelling the Mariners to a 4 – 1 lead. But in the top of the third, a hard shot up the third base line by Fish was a home run that scored Ian O’Connor from first as well as the batter and the Phillies now trailed by one.
The Mariners went out one-two-three in their half of the third; the Phils were unable to progress their runners in their half of the fourth, as there was astute fielding. When the Mariners came up to bat, O’Connor and Xander Watt combined in the infield and at first to throw out a runner, but the fifth Mariner run was scored after a close play at home plate.
It came down to the final inning when the Phillies’ bats sprang to life. Sullivan opened with a hit to the left side of the field, and Aidan Ostermaier doubled, bringing Sullivan home. Then Marable followed with a grounder that got past two players and Bobby Haring III smacked one up the first base line, driving in two teammates. Then Ethan Shoulberg kept the drive going, hitting the ball past the pitching machine, and Watt drove one just outside the infield that scored the Phillies’ seventh run. Kevin Wu was safe at first on a close play and Morgan Rosenkranz whacked the ball past the shortstop. O’Connor’s fly ball enabled Wyatt to tag up from third and a grounder brought in the Phillies’ ninth and final run of the hot inning.
The Mariners had last licks and two players were thrown out by the sharp actions of O’Connor at first and Watt charging the ball from the infield. They scored two runs on three hits. Next, Ostermaier caught a line-drive for the final out of the game. It was a close and exciting contest, with the Phillies coming from behind to win 9 – 7.
Rookies
Yankees vs. Dodgers
It was a beautiful day for baseball last Saturday as the powerful offenses of the Rookie League L.A. Dodgers and N.Y. Yankees clashed in a Battery Park City slugfest.
Gabriel Conley got the scoring started by crushing an R.B.I.-double into the gap, just between the outstretched arms of the Dodgers’ James Lawler and Braden Donoian. After Max Farhi, Kaya Leitner, and Max Schipani reached with sharp singles, Dakota Chung-Greco ripped a bases-clearing shot into center field. In an unorthodox but effective lineup move, manager Jim Conley then sent three lefty batters in a row to the plate. The unusual strategy worked as Jagger Walk began the onslaught with a ground ball down the first base line for a clean single. Showing patience and power at the plate, Julianne Horowitz followed by hitting the ball hard into almost the same spot. Rose Davidson then collected a hit as she narrowly beat diving Dodgers’ first baseman Viraj Kathuria to the bag. Chase Behar came up next and stroked the first pitch she saw for a single. In addition to three hits in the game, the Yankees’ Rafael Leyo made several sparkling plays at first base. Shaking off the cobwebs from a line drive to the eye in the previous inning, Quentin Thiery finished the scoring with a well-hit ball to the outfield.
The Dodgers came back strong in their half of the inning. At the top of the order, Jesse Ingerman provided a spark with a chopper between shortstop and third base. Nicky Pomerantz and Rubin Parker had well-hit singles in the inning as well. Harris Rosenberg, Michael Cheeseman and Tasha Natrella also provided plenty of power for the Dodgers. Each had hits that helped their team score runs. In addition to their fine play in the field, James Lawlor and Braden Donoian collected three hits apiece for Los Angeles.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Florida Marlins
It was a sunny and breezy Saturday morning when the Philadelphia Phillies took on the Florida Marlins for the second-to-last game of the season. After a slow first inning where everyone from both teams got on base with infield singles, the second and third innings proved to be full of slugger and fielding action.
In the top of the second, Marlins’ Eli Harrell hit a hard grounder for a single, then Gabriel Baltierra hit a long-ball into the outfield for a double followed up with R.B.I. singles from Luca Black and Sophia Malik. The Marlins batting streak ended when Phillie Peyton Torgan picked up a line-drive to first and got to the base before the runner, forcing the out. The bottom of the second was also filled with lots of hitting action. Ty Cutler hit a high fly ball past second base for a single, then Ayan Sawhney and Max Goldstein got on base also with singles forcing bases loaded. Phillies Jack Harris blasted a grand-slam home run to end the inning.
The third inning started out with Marlin Lorenzo Frugiuele punching a ball right to the shortstop for a single followed up by another single by Sovan Woodin. Marline Stan Gould was up with bases loaded and outran the throw to first base for an R.B.I. run. The Phillies started the bottom of the third with a hard grounder that went all the way into the outfield for a double by Frey Rinaldo. Tensi Masuda then got on base bringing the bases back to loaded. JP Keyes was up for the challenge, closing out the game with a two-run double.
Braves vs. A’s
The Braves took on the A’s for the second time this season in another Rookie early-morning game. Both teams were ready to show what they had learned since the last time they squared off.
Olivia O’Toole started the Braves at bat, hitting one hard to the A’s shortstop and making it to first. Sean O’Toole was next to sail a high fly-ball, only to be caught by A’s fielder Luca Vertucci for the out. Two solid grounders come next from batters Graham Ferguson and Oliver Cope, each getting to first base, with Paul Stukas whipping one past the infield to bring his two teammates home.
Spencer Kane then kept the Braves rally going with a hard-hit single, followed by Carter Weaver knocking another one out. But with tough fielding by the A’s, the Braves were held from getting another run and must take their turn on the field.
First A’s at bat was slugger August Biggio, who hits a long hard fly into center, only to be stopped by the spectacular catch by Braves Connor Donigian— a tough break for the A’s! But they shook it off and A’s Dylan Knox smashed the next pitch for an easy single.
Michael Morin then squared off at the plate, hit a strong grounder, sped for first base, and beat the throw to take another single for the A’s – wow that was close! Then Luke Sullivan waited for the perfect pitch, swung away and took a single of his own.
Next, Luca Vertucci slammed one just over the head of the pitcher, nearly taking his hat off with a strong hit to center field, followed by August Biggio at bat again, hitting one way out to left field. The Braves Olivia O’Toole tried to stop the batter at first, but August proved to be faster than the throw.
Finishing the A’s at bat was Michael Morin, who hit a line drive into the pitcher’s leg for a single, ending a dangerous inning for the pitcher (coach)!
The Braves took another shot at bat, with Spencer Kane and Paul Stukas, hitting it hard and taking their bases. Graham Ferguson got yet another Braves hit, then slid for first with the tie going to the runner! Carter Weaver then sailed one to the outfield to bring two of his Braves brothers home.
The next Braves at bat were the O’Toole siblings Sean and Olivia; both had big hits to bring two more runs in to finish the inning.
With just one more chance to score some runs, the A’s approached the plate. With hit after hit, from powerhouse Luca Vertucci, switch hitter August Biggio, sluggers Luke Sullivan, Dylan Knox, and Michael Morin, the A’s were able to bring runners home to end the game against the Braves in a tie.
Minors
Reds vs. Dodgers
The Reds got their groove back on Saturday. Spencer Kiehl’s single to center field followed by two stolen bases made it easier for Tyler Rohan’s blast to bring him home. Kai Glick walked, and Sam Frere-Holmes’ single advanced him to second to set the table for Tyler Kraehling who walked for the Reds’ second run. Will Best’s fly ball to center field was snagged by Luke Pryor, and was deep enough for Glick to tag up and run home. Jonathan Parker’s grounder to first was also a sacrifice ribbie. Sal Derogatis stepped up to the plate and hit a smash over the centerfielder’s head for a 2-run homer, much to the delight of his team.
In the bottom of the first, Best hit Blas Lee with a fastball, and Lee stole second on a strikeout. Lee stole third and crossed the plate with William Sisson’s single. Aiden Rogers singled, and stole second during Sam Liberman’s at-bat. In the play of the game, Liberman (nursing a broken thumb) grounded to Kiehl at third, forcing out Rogers. Kiehl zinged it to Frere-Holmes at first for an exciting double-play to end the inning.
Up 6 – 1, the Reds scored five more on walks and hits by Rohan and Fere-Holms.
Best shone on the mound for the Reds in the next inning.
In the top of the third Rohan smacked the ball for a two-R.B.I. single (going to second on the overthrow). Glick tripled, bringing another run in, and Frere-Holmes’ R.B.I. single ended the third consecutive inning with only two outs.
Down 16 – 1 in the bottom of the third, Alex Komanoff took a base on balls, and Alex Monticciolo was hit by a pitch. After Lee and Pryor walked (the latter bringing in another run for the Dodgers), Glick was brought in to pitch. Sisson’s line drive down the first base line was snagged in the air by Kiehl and Glick struck out two to end the inning.
In the fourth, Kraehling’s grounder found a hole in left field for a double for the Reds. Best cranked one to shortstop, which brought Kraehling home on a fielder’s choice. Parker knocked one into Pryor at third for a single. Derogatis singled as well, but Mettle and White struck out and only one run was scored.
For their last licks, Theo Levine entered the lineup but flied out to Glick on the mound. Pangburn’s laser beam into the outfield brought him to first, but Glick finished off his allotted pitches with a strikeout. Kiehl came in and ended the game with a strikeout. Down by more than 10 in four innings of play, the ump called the game. Kudos to the Dodgers for maintaining excellent sportsmanship, and never saying “die” throughout the game.
Reds vs. Cardinals
The Reds and Cardinals played Sunday under threatening skies on Governors Island. The Reds’ Kai Glick walked and Sam Frere-Holmes doubled in the first. Tyler Kraehling was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, but they were stranded.
The Cardinals faced Spencer Kiehl on the “mound,” and the leadoff batter went down looking. Luke Dilworth walked and stole two bases. Kiehl continued to throw smoke and got a three-pitch strikeout.
But the Cardinal’s William Steere rose to the challenge, and struck out the side in the second. In the bottom of the inning, Steere walked and Taidgh Barron was hit by a pitch. Theo Kaufman singled, loading up the bases for the Cards. When Balthazar Merrin was also hit by a pitch, the first run came in for the Cards. Davis also walked in, and Dilworth’s grounder to second resulted in a force-out at first but an R.B.I. for him.
In the third, Oliver Mettle led off with a strikeout by Milo Schreier. Liam Barwick walked, and Kiehl was hit by a pitch. Rohan had a nice single, but pandemonium ensued. Barwick was held up at third, but Kiehl and Rohan were sent ahead, causing a logjam between second and third. Barwick was sent home as Rohan retreated back to first and Kiehl back to second (with Rohan credited with an R.B.I.). When Frere-Holmes put the ball into play, Kiehl’s aggressive turn around home prompted the third base coach to send him home, where he was thrown out by the first baseman.
Up 3 – 1, the Cards’ Luke Carson singled and Steere walked. Stapler’s grounder to the pitcher brought in Carson.
In the top of the fourth, Kraehling walked, and Will Best doubled, bringing Kraehling to third. Parker’s single drove in Kraehling, but Schreier put the Reds to bed with three strikeouts, leaving the bases loaded again.
In the bottom of the inning, Merrin’s infield bloop single landed him on first. Davis walked, and Glick was brought in as relief. Dilworth’s punch to centerfield brought in two runs for the Cards. Schreier’s single brought in another run, and it was now 7 – 2. Glick struck out three.
Merrin came in to pitch against the top of the Reds’ order striking out two and allowing no runs.
Glick struck out the side in the fifth. After striking out leadoff batter, the ump called “batter up.” But no one showed, and Glick, in a heads-up play, threw a perfect strike down the middle, which the ump called out. By the time the next batter came to the plate, he was already behind in the count and he struck out.
The Reds sent Kraehling to the plate in the top of the sixth. He was hit by a pitch as the rain started to fall harder. Best singled and stole second as Kraehling stole to third. When Parker walked, the bases were loaded yet again for the Reds. White walked a run-in (and as fans huddled under umbrellas and trees, Best unintentionally slid into third!) But the Reds’ fans stopped laughing when the ump called the game because of rain. The top of the order was up with the bases loaded and the Reds were down by four in a rubber match — a tough loss for a team vying for first place in the league. The final score was Cards 7, Reds 3.
