by Jacob Infald
Reimers gets the save.
OC Titans 15U 2 – Yeti Baseball Select 0 pic.twitter.com/V5qJS6oqex Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 7, 2025
Very few things in sports compare to an old fashioned pitcher’s duel in baseball. On Monday night in the Long Island Boys of Summer 15U National Division, there was a pitcher’s duel, but it definitely wasnt old fashioned. Between the OC Titans 15U and Yeti Baseball Select 15U, there were a total of nine pitchers used in a contest that saw the Titans come out on top 2-0.
After competing in the 15U Perfect Game Super25 National Championship tournament this past weekend, the Titans looked to right the ship in their fourth league game of the summer. They found themselves out in front early after putting a couple of runs across in the top of the second inning.
With Tyler Cope (Connetquot 2028) on the mound for Yeti, the Titans were able to get their first two batters of the inning on base. PJ Tubianosa (Mt. Sinai 2027) was able to pull a ball into right center field for a base hit. He stole second during Bryce Boccios at-bat to put the pressure on Cope. A wild pitch put them both in scoring position.
The following batter, MJ Reimers (Massapequa 2028) saw an opportunity to make something happen. He was aggressive at the plate and was able to put a ball in the air decently deep in center field. This was great situational baseball from Reimers as the fly out was more than deep enough to score Tubianosa from third.
I just try to expand my zone, Reimers said when asked about his approach during this type of situation. Two inches up, down, side-to-side and the bottom. It worked and Im very pleased with the win today.
Michael MJ Reimers is our player of the game. He got the save for the Titans and recorded their lone RBI. He talked about his contributions to the win and the depth of his squad. pic.twitter.com/H0ZoAVeJYG
Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 8, 2025
After Tyler Donohue (Long Beach 2028) was able to reach on a bloop single which moved Boccio to third, the Titans employed some small ball tactics. Their coach sent Donohue from first, drawing a throw from Yetis catcher Dom Romano. The throw bounced, giving Boccio an opportunity to dash home for the second run of the inning.
Despite this error by Romano, the rising Kings Park High School junior had a great night behind the dish. Catching five different pitchers, he also threw out two Titan runners, one at third and one at second.
The Titans, while probably wishing they had more of a cushion, had to feel pretty confident after this second inning. That is because their starting pitcher Arion Gjoni (Hicksville 2028) was absolutely electric. He struck two batters out in two shutout innings. After a great freshman season on varsity this past spring, Gjoni has continued to improve his craft, sporting a lively fastball in the mid 80s. He will definitely be a name to watch in the coming years for Nassau County baseball fans.
Gjonis night ended in exciting fashion. With a runner on second and one out, Cope hit a ball that was sure to be trouble. However, Titans second baseman Aiden Von Nostrand (Massapequa 2028) was playing in a perfect spot. He was shaded up the middle towards second base, he leaped and snagged the line drive before immediately throwing over to second to complete the 4-6 double play.
Even after Gjoni left the game after two innings, Yeti continued to have zero answers for the Titans staff. Donohue threw well, throwing two scoreless innings, striking out two. Donohue demonstrated a strong three pitch arsenal, relying on his fastball but also mixing in timely changeups and breaking balls to keep Yeti hitters off balance.
After Jason Vargas (Copiague 2028) shut the Yeti down in the fifth, it was Reimers turn to do the same in the bottom of the sixth. With the time limit looming, it was looking like this was going to be a save situation for Reimers. Reimers said his mindset on the mound is always different when there is a save opportunity.
Youre just in there to get three outs,Reimers said. Just get the three outs, doesnt matter how it happens, just battle all those three outs.
Reimers got the job done, having to go through the top of Yetis order to do so. He got Nick Given to fly out to right for the first out. He got Johnny Ficalora looking at a fastball painted on the outside corner for the second out. After walking Joey Vulin, Reimers was able to dial it back in. He forced Romano to hit a high chopper just left of the mound. Reimers fielded his position and made a clean throw over to first to secure the win.
While the Titans will once again be looking forward to their next tournament this weekend, they will continue to use their few league games to sharpen their tools and as always play to win.
These league games are very good, Reimers said. They act like scrimmages but we take them seriously and we just compete every game.