Brick Memorial's Late Gamble Doesn't Pay Off Against Brick Township

By: Ryan Civello 5/10/16

For the second time in less then a week, the Mustangs weren’t able to get it done against their cross-town rival Dragons, losing 5-4 in a very intense game at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood. With the win, the Dragons won the Mayor’s Cup.

Senior Dave Clarke started for the Mustangs and had some control issues early in the 1st inning, but was able to settle down and get out of the inning, as the Dragons left the bases loaded.

Junior Matt Stadelberger lead off the top of the 2nd inning with a double for the Dragons and with one out moved to third base on a groundout. With two outs, Junior John Prato legged out an infield single allowing Stadelberger to make it 1-0.

Senior Nic Chirichello started for the Dragons on Saturday against the Mustangs and was back on the mound to start tonight’s matchup.

The score remained 1-0 until Clarke tripled over the left fielders head with two outs, bringing in Senior Dylan Nolan, who singled to reach base. The Mustangs took the lead as Senior Teddy Gonzalez dunked a single into centerfield, scoring Clarke.

Clarke ran into trouble in the top of the 5th inning, as the Dragons were able to load the bases with one out. Juniors Mike Soldo and AJ Serrino both singled to start the inning. After a sac bunt moved the runners over, Senior Jake Scott had an infield single to load the bases. Soldo scored on a fielder’s choice from Senior Trevor Rowe and Serrino scored on a pass ball to make it a 3-2 game.

Stadelberger took over on the mound for the Dragons in the bottom of the 5th inning. Senior Andrew LaRosa singled to start off the inning for the Mustangs and tied the game on a RBI single from Senior Brian Markoski.

The Dragons picked up two runs in the top of the 6th inning to make it 5-3. Clarke retired the first batter of the inning, but then walked Chirichello and gave up a single to Prato. Chirichello scored from 2nd base on a passed ball, as the Mustang’s catcher couldn’t find the ball. Junior Ray Lutick came into pitch after Clarke walked Soldo with one out. Serrino hit a sac fly to center to plate the 5th run of the night for the Dragons.

Memorial tried their best to chip away at the Dragons two run lead, as Senior James Donlon led off the inning with a walk and was pinch run for. The runner took 2nd base on a passed ball and moved to third on a groundout by Nolan. Clarke remained in the game as a hitter and came up with a RBI single up the middle to tighten the game 5-4.

The Dragons brought in Junior John Zurawki and he was able to finish the inning. Sophomore Nick Stephan pitched a clean 7th inning for the Mustangs to give them a shot to tie the game in the last inning.

LaRosa led off the inning with a single and was pinch run for by Senior Elie Lavarin. Markoski moved Lavarin into scoring position after grounding out to first base. Senior Dylan Evans worked a walk and Senior Nick Pipher pinch hit and was hit by the pitch to load the bases with one out.

With a lefty coming up to bat, the Dragons brought Chirichello back into pitch to try and finish the game off. Chirichello was allowed to come back into pitch because he was never taken out of the game, as he played right field after he was done pitching.

Chirichella got Donlon to pop up to shallow left-center field to Prato and the Mustangs gambled as they sent Lavarin from third to try and tie it, but Prato threw a perfect strike to home plate to nail Lavarin to end the game.

With the tough loss the Mustangs record falls to 11-7 and they will travel to Jackson Memorial tomorrow at 3:45 P.M.