The rain let up, the sun came out and conditions were perfect for the first round of the Nassau County Youth Baseball League 9U playoffs at Mitchell Field. The New Hyde Park Blue Devils were playing the Long Island Indians in a rematch of last week’s season finale, won by the Indians, 20-6. The boys from New Hyde Park swore the result would be different this time. Coach Rob told the boys it was time to get down and dirty. Anyone who played and didn’t have a dirty uniform after the game didn’t really try. It didn’t matter if they won or lost, only that they tried and had fun doing it.
The game got off to a quick start as the Blue Devils struck for two runs in the top of the first inning on a fielder’s choice by Michael Giammona and a single by James Asmus. The Indians were able to scrape one run back in the bottom of the first, but great plays by Dominic Fulgieri and Mike Giammona stranded their runners. The second inning was pretty quiet for both teams as James Asmus kept the Indians at bay. In the third inning, the Blue Devils jumped on the Indians again for four more runs, making the score 6-1. The Indians loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but a fantastic diving catch by Eric Guzman for the third out shut down the Indians’ threat.
In the fourth inning, the Blue Devils could not get a run across and left a runner stranded at third base. James Asmus pitched a great fourth inning allowing no runs and the fifth inning had the Blue Devils threatening once again and loaded the bases. Unfortunately, two strikeouts and a shot back to the pitcher ending the inning.
Dillon Henning came on to the start the fifth inning for the Blue Devils and was the victim of a few crazy bounces as the Indians scored four. Andrew Koubek took a shot off his leg forcing him out of the game for a defensive substitution. Connor Albrektsen came in to catch the rest of the inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Mike Giammona was called in to close out the game. The first pitch was exactly where he wanted it, high and inside, but the batter got just enough of the ball to drive it into the gap in right-center clearing the bases with a triple. The Indians were now leading 8-6 and the next batter grounded a ball back to the pitcher for the third out.
In the top of the sixth inning the bottom of the Blue Devils line-up was at bat. They had been having a horrible night, combining for nine strikeouts between them. But as had been the case all year for the Blue Devils, it was time to wake up. Dillon Henning started the inning off with a walk and promptly stole second and third bases. Andrew Koubek worked out a walk and stole second base as well. Ryan Oommen popped a ball up to the pitcher, but the ball had a nasty backspin and fell for a hit, scoring Dillon. Connor Albrektsen was up next and also worked out an 0-2 walk, loading the bases for Eric Guzman. Eric had made that great play in the field and it was his turn at the plate. With the count 1-2, he hit a rocket back towards the shortstop, who fielded the ball and tried to get Andrew at home but Koubek was called safe, tying the score at 8-8. Lou Messina and Nolan Lee both fouled off a few pitches, working deep into the count before striking out. Jason Davidson and Dominic Fulgieri both worked out walks to take a 10-8 lead before Mike Giammona hit a ball back to the pitcher for the third out. With Michael on a short pitch count, Lou Messina could be seen in the bullpen warming up to pitch.
It was now last licks for the Indians with Mike Giammona on the mound and Andrew Koubek behind the plate. Michael gave up a hit to right field to start the inning, but Nolan Lee fielded it well and got it back in holding the batter to a single. The runner stole second and third bases before scoring on another Indian single. It was now 10-9 and the boys could be seen getting anxious in the field. It was clear now that Michael was calming down on the mound as he struck out the next two batters before getting the final batter to ground harmlessly back to him for the inning’s third and final out.
Each of the boys had played a great game and contributed to the teams win. The coaches could be heard in the team huddle praising the boys for how they played as the parents cheered from the stands. When the huddle broke up, you could see how hard the boys played as every one of them had a filthy uniform. Their uniforms and their smiles were all you needed to see to know the New Hyde Park Blue Devils 9U team had just won its first playoff game, 10-9. Next up for the Blue Devils are the Queens Avengers.
