Post 127 Loses Two to Milford

For the first six and two thirds innings of Saturday’s opening game of a double header against Orange Post 127, Milford Post 196 pitcher Brian O’Keefe retired every one of the 26 batters he faced. After going 26 up and 26 down, O’Keefe was only 1 out away from hurling the first perfect game of his career.  Nick Baviello stepped up and spoiled O’Keefe’s dream as he lined a sharp single intro center field. While Baviello ruined O’Keefe’s bid for a perfect game and a no-hitter, he quickly ended the game by retiring Brian Speer. O’Keefe upped his Zone two record to 2-0 by tossing a complete game 9-0 one-hitter at Post 127.

According to O’Keefe (who threw a no-hitter last spring for Foran High School in a Class L state tournament game against Plainfield), “I knew I had a no-hitter going. I also knew I hadn’t walked anyone so I had a perfect game. I keep track of how many outs are left in the game. When I went out for the fifth inning, I knew I was in a good groove and had to get nine more outs. Nick is a friend and I know he’s a good hitter. I thought that if anyone would get a hit off me, it would be Nick. As soon as he hit the ball, I knew it was a base hit. I threw him a fastball, but I should have thrown a slider.”

O’Keefe admitted that he was a little disappointed when Baviello broke up his perfect game and his no-hitter, but added, “It would have been nice to get my first perfect game, but my real goal is to win games, not worry about pitching perfect games or no-hitters.”

Had O’Keefe (who struck out six Post 127 batters and threw only 71 pitches) notched his no-hitter, it would have been Milford’s second no hitter of the season. Tucker Liddy threw a “no-no” last week against North Haven Post 76.

The Sixers raked Orange starting (and losing) pitcher Grayson Amoroso for three runs on 2 hits in the bottom of the first inning. After striking out Christian Baglini, he walked Kyle Winters and Ed Michaud. Winters tried to score on Jason Lewicki’s double but he was thrown out at home plate. A Max Nowicki fielder’s choice loaded the bases. Amoroso walked Joe Zhangi to force in the game’s first run. Mike Deptulski’s two-bagger down the left field run drove in both Lewicki and Deptulski, staking O’Keefe to a quick 3-0 lead.

The hosts tacked on two more runs in the second inning to grab a 5-0 lead and send Amoroso to the bench. He hit Winters with a pitch, served up a single to Michaud and saw the bases filled on a fielder’s choice by Lewicki. Nowicki followed with a two-run double that extended Milford’s lead to 5-0 and knocked Amoroso off the hill. Coach Bob Mirto replaced him with Jeff Lubin.

Things went from bad to worse for Orange in the third inning. With one out, Lubin served up a base hit to Matt Aspinwall. Kyle Ferri’s double drove in Aspinwall to make it 6-0. Afyter walking Baglini and Winters, Lewicki banged his second double of the day. This two-bagger put two more Post 196 runs onto the scoreboard.

Sixth inning singles by Zanghi and Aspinwall along with an error by reserve infielder Keenan Roche and Ferri’s sacrifice fly accounted for Milford’s ninth and final run.

“We did hit the ball but hit it right at people,” Mirto said. “Their kid (O’Keefe) is a good pitcher and today he threw a great game. He changed speeds, hit his spots, and threw strikes. Our pitchers couldn’t consistently throw strikes and when they did, Milford pounded the ball.”

The 4-2 winners were led by Lewicki (2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Aspinwall (3 singles, 1 run), Deptulski (a double, 2 RBI), and Ferri (double, 1 run, 2 RBI).

Looking back at his first year at Orange County College in California, O’Keefe added, “I’ve learned how to pitch. Throwing a first pitch strike is the key. I go after guys and what pitch I throw now depends on the count. I was taught how to paint the black rather than just throw the ball over the middle of the plate.”

Milford also won the second game 3-2. With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Cory Haddon’s sacrifice fly drove in the winning run and left Post 127 on the field. Mark Ferraiolo went the full seven innings, needing only 65 pitches to get the win. Speer took the loss for the 2-4 Mirtomen.

Orange played West Haven Monday night at Piurek Field on the West Haven High campus.