by Andy Smith
Deslauriers continued on how he bounced back after being down early. pic.twitter.com/iQSaJ4FERo
Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 3, 2023
It was a low-scoring affair on a cold windy day. While both starting pitchers only surrendered one run combined, there were many batters left on base.
In the opening frame, Ayden Deslauriers and Brady McGowan of ESM hit two consecutive singles. Then, following a stolen base by McGowan and a base on balls by cleanup hitter Tristan Gatchalian, who then swiped a bag, the Sharks had two men in scoring position. However, Mount Sinai starter and Mercy College commit Max Reichenbach worked out of the early jam to keep it scoreless. Reichenbach finished the day with four shutout innings and six punchouts.
Bennie Franquiz was the fSS for the Mustangs and reached with a single in the bottom half of the opening frame. The Army commit was busy on the base paths despite the defeat and ended his day with a single, base on balls, and a stolen base.
Both teams had runners in scoring position in the third, but only Mount Sinai was able to capitalize. A two out walk by backstop Drew McGowan sparked the Sharks. Then, he swiped second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Gatchalian then was hit by a pitch and took first base. Once again, Reichenbach held strong and finished the inning with a called third strike.
The Mustangs came out hot in the bottom half of the frame with a leadoff base on balls to third baseman Jackson Paplin. Then, catcher Passentino drew a one out base on balls. With two outs, clean up hitter Jacob Schneider knocked a hit that brought in Paplin to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.
The Sharks offense was able to strike in the fifth and not only tie the game, but take the lead. Back-to-back singles by both Brady McGowan and Drew McGowan gave the Sharks early baserunners with no outs. Then, Gatchalian drew another base on balls to load the bases. Gatchalian reached base all at bats and finished the day with three walks and a hit by pitch which set up left fielder Cole Johnson who drove in the tying run with a hit. Following two strikeouts, the Sharks drove in the eventual winning run courtesy of first baseman London Davis who drew a base on balls.
Deslauriers held the lead with a strong sixth inning including two punchouts.
Final score 2-1
ESM wins pic.twitter.com/K2Q3gexF3w Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 3, 2023
In the final frame, ESM turned to Luca Occhiogrosso to secure the save. The junior retired three consecutive batters, with two strikeouts.
Ayden Deslauriers was named the Game Changer Player of the Game following an impressive six inning performance while surrendering one run. Deslauriers expressed the importance of pounding the strike zone following a few rough games to open the season. Certainly six innings of one-run ball is a great way to turn things around. The Eastport South Manor Sharks picked up a road win at Mount Sinai this afternoon, winning a close one by a score of 2-1.