Massapequa Baseball Wrap up Big Day With Win Over Syosset

The Massapequa Baseball team took the field on Saturday night against Syosset at in an attempt to rebound from a tough sweep at the hands of Farmingdale last week. Behind a complete game two-hitter from pitcher Eric Amato, the Chiefs (11-6 overall, 8-5) defeated the Braves (10-7 overall, 8-5), 4-0.

Amato improved his record to a team best 4-1 after striking out six batters while surrendering just one walk over his seven shutout innings for Massapequa. Tommy Morris fell to 3-2 on the season in the loss for Syosset, but struck out 12 batters while giving up five hits in six innings.

Before the varsity game got underway, junior varsity clubs and little league squads from both Massapequa and Syosset took part in games in what was deemed “Baseball Day” at Burns Park.

In the JV game, Syosset topped Massapequa in a 13-inning thriller, 7-6. In a game that lasted approximately three hours and 45 minutes, Syosset’s Stephen Hutchinson scored the go-ahead run after Massapequa pitcher Ryan Smith walked Parker Laine with the bases loaded in the 13th inning.

The Chiefs’ Nick D’Elia had a prime opportunity to win the game for the home team in the bottom of the 11th inning with the bases loaded, but he grounded out to end the frame, keeping the score tied until the Braves won two innings later.

In the Varsity game, Amato and Morris, although displaying contrasting pitching styles, were in for an intense dual under the lights. Massapequa catcher Nick Evangelista collected the games’ first hit in the bottom of the second inning and later scored on a bases loaded walk to Ryan Neu to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, Syosset’s Matthew Taurisani reached on an error, but was eventually stranded at third base to keep Massapequa in the lead. With the game not featuring much offense, Massapequa turned the tides in the bottom of the fifth after Brendan McQuillan hit a deep double and Brian Radigan hit a bunt single down the third base line to start off the inning.

Ryan Van Buren reached on a botched grounder to score McQuillan and Bill Schlich hit a grounder into right field to allow both Van Buren and Evangelista to cross home, pushing the Chiefs’ lead to 4-0.

With Amato keeping the Syosset offense quiet from start to finish, he closed out his impressive start after the Braves hit a harmless fly ball to left field for the final out.

Heroes: Eric Amato has won his last four starts after dropping his first start of the season to Calhoun. The two hits given up was a season-low for the senior on the year.

“I knew I had to pick up our team, so coming out I had to try my hardest and locate my pitches all the way through,” Amato said. “I liked being under the spotlight here because everyone was rooting us on and it helped me keep my composure.”

Turning Point: The three-run fifth inning gave Massapequa a four-run lead over Syosset and put the game out of reach on an overall quiet offensive game.

Quotable: “They came out and put their minds into playing hard tonight and are ready for this series against Syosset. We were able to keep our composure against a good pitcher out there,” Massapequa head coach Tom Sheedy said. “We still control our own destiny and our guys came out and played a nice game in front of a great crowd tonight.”

“We got pressed early on and it got us off our track a little bit and our bats just got cold. We are not a bad hitting team,” Syosset head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “We got to win Monday first and play one game at a time against them.”

Bottom Line: These two teams, along with Oceanside and Farmingdale, are all battling for the conference title and important seeding placements for the playoffs. The win for Massapequa broke a five-game winning streak for Syosset.

Key Stat: Massapequa allowed just six total base runners for Syosset on the night.

Who’s Next: Game 2: Massapequa @ Syosset, May 9, 4:30 p.m.; Game 3: Syosset @ Massapequa, May 10, 4:30 p.m.

Box Score:

WP: E.Amato (4-1)

LP: T.Morris (3-2)