by James Ryder
Unfortunately, what was shaping up to be an exciting game Wednesday night at Plainedge Park came to an early end.
The 9u Championship game between LI Team Beast and Long Island Baseball was called during the bottom of the third inning due to a nasty storm approaching the park. LI Beast was up 10-2 at the time and had just scored a few runs.
A bit of lightning was seen during the second inning, causing about a 10-minute delay. Due to its scarcity, the game continued for another inning. In the bottom of the third, Team Beast had 9 of their 10 batters come to the plate. By the time their tenth run came into score, the thunder and lighting had intensified enough for the umpires to decide to end the game. Only minutes later, the rain started to come down in buckets.
Despite the game having only lasted an hour, clearly the score indicates that a lot had happened before the weather put an end to it. LIB came to bat first and scored a quick run. Nick Caroli drew a lead off walk and immediately stole second and third base. Then, on a passed ball, he stole home too to give his team a 1-0 lead.
Team Beast also scored in their first time in the box, but had more success than their opponent. Mike Hendrickson hit a leadoff infield single and came home on Christian Riveras triple to center field to tie the game at one a piece. It was then Riveras turn to steal home on a passed ball, giving Team Beast a lead that would end up being permanent. Later on in the inning, Joe Agostino hit an RBI single to right field. The right fielder struggled to pick up the ball, allowing for another run to score. Team Beast came out of the first inning with a 4-1 lead.
After a scoreless second inning, LIB cut into the lead a bit in the top of the third. Maverick Schnieder singled to RF and the throw back into the infield went over the pitchers head. Caroli, who reached base once again by hitting an infield single, came home to score on this error.
This score from LIB didnt mean much for Team Beasts lead, however, as they responded with a 6-run bottom of the third. Rivera hit another triple, this time to right-center field. A pop up to CF hit by Lucas Hubner was dropped, so Rivera came home to score another run. Final five runs came on and RBI ground out by Rob Fortier, and RBI fielders choice hit to third by Patrick Dalien, a 2 RBI triple to RF from David Cho, and an RBI single to LF by Andrew Lopez.
The game is postponed until further notice. It is possible it can be rescheduled for tomorrow, Thursday August 8.