The Mineola 12U baseball team opened its summer season against Manhasset at the Mineola Willis Ave field complex on Tuesday, July 9, winning a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory.
Mineola was led by the superb pitching of Jack Dwyer and Sean Hembach. Dwyer struck out six and allowed two unearned runs, while Hembach struck out five and allowed one earned run. Hembach was credited with the victory.
“Both Jack and Sean pitched their hearts out” Manager Ken Solosky said. “Both pitchers had outstanding control as they only allowed three walks the entire game”.
The Mineola defense also shined. Kenny Solosky was solid behind the plate, throwing out the only Manhasset attempted steal and holding the opposing runners close. Joe Franzini made a couple of sharp grabs at second while Andrew Geagher, Kieran O’Gara, Ryan Burke and Christian Duarte also contributed on defense.
The Mineola hitting attack was led by Kenny Solosky (1-for-2, run scored), Sean Hembach (1-for-2, double, RBI) and Bryan Camacho (1-for-3, double, two RBIs).
Heading into the last inning down 3-2, Mineola began its dramatic comeback. After drawing a walk, Hembach was driven in by a Camacho double to right. Camacho stole third and Dwyer drew a walk, quickly stealing second.
With runners on second and third, two outs and Mineola down to their last strike. Patrick Solosky worked the count to 2-and-2 and then smashed a walk-off single to right, plating the winning Mineola run for the 4-3 come-from-behind victory!
Special congratulations go out to newcomer Alan Nanu, who was playing his first organized baseball game and did an outstanding job playing the outfield and several infield positions.
“I was glad to see the boys start the season with a victory” Solosky said. “They work very hard in hot practices, so it is nice to see their hard work pay off”.
The Mineola Summer baseball team is a developmental team that stresses fun and learning. Players are assigned to different positions and challenged to try pitching and catching. The team has weekly clinics with guest instructors that develop pitching, hitting and fielding skills. The clinics have featured a unique “catcher’s station” at which an older travel team catcher works with the boys on working behind the plate. There are also featured guest instructors focusing on a different aspects of the game.
