Mystic Valley Baseball Knocked Out of Tourney

[Editor's note: The following was submitted by Mystic Valley Regional Charter School.]

The Mystic Valley Eagles baseball team was knocked out of the MIAA Tourney by Trinity Catholic on Wednesday by a score of 7-5.

For the second straight game the Eagles started out slow falling behind 4-0 in the top of the first. Brian O’Connor entered the game in relief for the Eagles and came on like Pedro Martinez pitching for the Red Sox against the Indians in the playoffs in 1999, striking out five in a row and eight of the first nine batters he faced keeping the Eagles in the game.

The Eagles offense had opportunities to get back in the lead but it seemed that each time that the Eagles were poised to start a big inning Trinity would come up with a big defensive play and kill the rally. The Eagles left nine men on base during the game. Trinity’s defense rose up in the final frame when great defensive plays by the second baseman and shortstop robbed Mystic Valley of hits and the chance for a comeback win. 

Eagles Beat Matignon in First Round

Mystic Valley picked up their first MIAA baseball tournament win on Monday afternoon defeating Matignon 10-7.  Matignon played for the Division 4 State Championship in 2010 and returned many of those players this season.

Not wasting any time, Matignon scored three runs in the first inning, putting the Eagles in a quick hole.  Mystic Valley was able to settle down and answered with two runs in the second inning and one in the third to tie the game at 3-3. 

Mystic Valley continued with the offensive pressure putting up four runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two in the sixth.  The offense may have had their best game of the season with each batter in the lineup producing and putting together quality at bats. 

The offense was led by Kyle Howard who was 2-3 with a triple, a sacrifice fly, 3 RBIs, and two stolen bases. Joey Foley also had a big day with some great at bats leading to three walks, five stolen bases (watch out Jacoby Ellsbury!) and three runs scored. Aaron Payne went 2-3 with a double, run scored and RBI. Brian O’Connor contributed with three runs scored. 

Junior righthander Patrick Holden continued his strong season by pitching a complete game and recording 10 K’s. Holden also had two hits at the plate with a run scored.