The Long Island Astros went 5-0 this 4th of July weekend to win the 2011 14U Championship in the Bethpage Baseball Independence Open.
After going undefeated in the tournament seeding round (3-0), the L.I. Astros faced the Long Beach Rangers. The Astros jumped out to an early lead, scoring in each of the first three innings. Center fielder Matt Basso bombed a double in the first inning, infielder Nick Reda laced a two-run single down the third base line in the second inning and infielder Adeel Bari shot the gap in right field for an RBI double in the third inning to put the Astros up 5-0.
The Rangers flexed their muscles in the seeding games and mustered up some power, scoring three runs in the middle innings trimming the Astros lead to 5-3. The Astro’s answered with five runs, with the big blow off the bat of pitcher Tyler Idape, a two-run double and a sharp RBI single by outfielder Mike Penoro in the sixth inning to cap the Astros scoring. Idapse then snuffed out the Rangers hot bats striking out the last two Rangers to secure the 10-4 win.
The Astros advanced to the championship game with the win against the Rangers to face their old nemesis, the L.I.Sound. The Sound is a formidable team with a storied history – 2009 Long Island Williamsport Tournament Champions. Although the Astros and Sound haven’t faced each other in three years prior to this tournament, the rivalry quickly heated up again.
The Astros got on the scoreboard quickly. Anthony Miraglia singled and his legs did the rest as he stole two bases and scooted home on a Sound misplay to stake the Astros to a 1-0 lead.
The Sound attempted to answer in the top of the second, loading the bases with no outs. Astros pitcher Sal Fradella, poised and composed, slammed the door on the inning with a pop up and two strikeouts stranding the three Sound runners holding the 1-0 Astros lead.
The Astros loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning. The Sound defended Mike Kusnierek’s well-placed bunt getting the out at home. Then, with two outs, Anthony Miraglia worked out a walk for a 2-0 lead. Then Sal Fradella skied a triple down the right field line, clearing the bases. Fradella scored on a wild pitch for a five-run second inning and a 6-0 Astros lead.
The Astros tack on two more runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Sam Berk’s scorching double in the gap to take a 8-0 lead.
Astros’ pitcher Sal Fradella and catcher Ryan Lennon were in sync all game with pitch selection and execution. The infield of third baseman Nick Reda, shortstop Tyler Idaspe, second baseman Adeel Bari and first baseman Joe Merims flashed leather throughout the game living up to the age old adage that pitching and defense wins championships.
Fradella pitched a gem. A three-hit, seven-strikeout complete game masterpiece earning Fradella the Verizon FiOS Player of the Game award. The championship game will be broadcast on Verizon FiOS1 Channel 1 Saturday July 9 at 4 p.m. with additional broadcast to follow.
A happy Astros’ coaching staff of manager John Reda, coaches Darren Merims and Sal Fradella hope the boys saved something for the grueling National Junior Baseball League 2011 summer schedule and playoffs to defend the L.I. Astros 2010 NJBL Championship!
