Third Time's A Charm for Montclair Senior American Legion!!

After losing twice earlier in the week to West Essex it seems the third time was indeed a charm for the Montclair Senior American Legion Team, who defeated West Essex 3-2 Sunday, earning them the right to play Nutley for third place in the Essex County Tournament.                

"I told them to forget about those two games, and let's just play better defensively and on the bags baserunning," said Montclair Head Coach Anthony Genchi. Earlier this week the West Essex Knights defeated Montclair in a doubleheader 2-1 and 6-3 respectively just to get into this play in game. In both games, however, Montclair's Chris Pignatello did not pitch, which was a significant factor in this game.                

Pignatello would keep the Knight batters off balance for most of the game finishing with a complete game allowing just four hits, and striking out three. "Their whole lineup is pretty solid, so I tried to continually throw strikes," said Pignatello. Pignatello, who has been perfecting a curveball since he was 12, used his breaking pitches to generate numerous ground outs. "That was his game to win," said Genchi.  The Knights, however, after six innings of relatively no success would have their best opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning against Pignatello where they would load the bases with nobody out.                

After West Essex' Fran Damiano leadoff the seventh inning with a walk Pignatello would struggle with his command leaving the door open for the Knights. An additional walk to shortstop Jake Handler followed by a bunt infield single from Mike Marotti, which was his third hit of the game, would load the bases with nobody out for Chris Carragher. Carragher's fielders' choice RBI to second would score Damiano from third base and put runners at the corners for Ralph Velardi. Velardi, who in his last at bat in the fifth inning drove in teammate Mike Marotti with two outs, would be unable to handle a low curveball from Pignatello. "we had momentum, they just took it away just like that with a double play," said West Essex pitcher Nick Samra.                

Montclair would start the scoring in the first off of Samra when Pignatello would draw a leadoff walk. After reaching third on a Ely Kashi single, Pignatello would be driven home by catcher Mackenze Genauer on a single to make it 1-0 Montclair. "Everytime [Genauer] comes up in a big spot he comes through for us, he's the tone setter in the middle of the lineup for us," said Genchi. Genauer would finish 2-4 with an RBI and a double.                

Montclair would tag on two more runs off of Samra in the sixth and seventh innings respectively using "small ball" tactics. In the sixth, after doubling to lead off the inning, Mackenze Genauer would eventually come around and be brought home on a sacrifice fly from Elliot Gertner. In the sventh, after leadoff triple from Jalen Fraiser, Chris Pignatello would help his cause with a successful suicide squeeze attempt which gave Samra trouble when he tried to field it. "I mishandled the ball on the squeeze I really should have had that one," said Samra, who was critical of himself noting that it was the deciding run in the game.

Knights' pitcher Nick Samra, despite giving up three runs, was more than solid in his start against Montclair. Samra finished the game for the Knights allowing three runs on 8 hits, striking out 3 in the process. "If you go out there and compete, you throw strikes, your gonna have a chance and that's what he gave us a chance," said Trongone.                

Montclair will now play Nutley on Monday for third place in the Essex County tournament. "I want us to play solid defensively and I want a clean up on the bases and play well going into the state tournament," said Genchi.