?by James Ryder
The bats were clearly awake for Sunday mornings 9 AM game between 11u Ozone Academy and the South Shore Chiefs. Both teams combined for 19 runs on 19 hits. However, the defense for Ozone Academy still seemed to be half asleep for the first few innings. Despite this, the team kept up with South Shores early scoring and came back from down 7-1 to win 12-8in five innings.
?Ozone Academy got a 1-0 lead to start the game in the top of the first inning. Ethan Sorensen led off and hit a single to center field. Phil Albergo started his impressive day at the plate by bringing home Sorensen on an RBI infield single to shortstop. As mentioned, Ozones woes started on the other side of the ball from the get-go. South Shore quickly loaded the bases on a single from Christian George, a ground ball from Joe Steinmark that shouldve garnered at least one out, and an infield single from Will Irwin. Chris Vastarelli worked a walk for their first run, followed by a single from Anthony Alesi, another walk by Vincenzo Cascone, and a single by Sean Croninto make it 4-1 Chiefs. The pitching and hustle in the infield just wasnt there.
?After a 1-2-3 top of the second inning, the struggles for Ozone Academy only got worse in the bottom half. Hunter Gills reached base on a leadoff bunt that definitely couldve been the first out if it wasnt for some miscommunication from the pitcher and catcher. Then, Daniel Locata hit a pop up between the mound and first base that no one called for. The ball dropped without anyone going for it, resulting in runners on first and second. After Steinmark walked to again load the bases, one run scored on a walk by Irwin and two more came home on a double from Vastarelli to give South Shore a 7-1 lead.
?Ozone Academy finally began to come alive in the third inning. In the top half, they cut the lead to 7-3 on a 2 RBI single from Albergo. The Chiefs responded when Cascone hit a leadoff double and scored on a throwing error later in the inning. However, South Shore only had five batters come up to bat, a major occurrence in Ozones favor. In the top of the fourth, Ozone finally had their turn at rounding the bases several times. They batted around and scored 7 of their 12 runs during this rally.
?Kenny Meiliere was the first runner on base, drawing a walk to get him there. A single from Robby Guirno to right field gave them first and third. That quickly changed when Guirno stole second, prompting a throw to the base, which allowed Meiliere to steal home. Johnathan Mulans infield single was accompanied by two walks, one from Danny Fuggetta to load the bases and another from Tim OConnor to bring the score to 8-5. South Shore reacted with a pitching change, but to no avail. The comeback continued with Angelo Nunezs RBI bunt, Timmy Mingos walk, Albergos RBI groundout, and a single from Mike Pagano, respectively. Ozone Academy took the final lead of the day and made the score 10-8.
?Sorensen pitched the final two innings for Ozone and caused South Shore to go scoreless. The icing on the cake for Ozone Academy was when they tacked on a final two runs in the top of the fifth (a two RBI single for Nunez) and then had a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth. Despite a sluggish start, a 4 RBI day from Albergo contributed to a huge comeback victory.
Final Score: Ozone Academy 12, South Shore 8.