Dayton Baseball Knocks Off Rival, 8-4

Although the Dayton Bulldogs' post-season dreams were dashed earlier this week, that hasn't deterred them from going after their biggest goal: winning the conference.  

Thanks to an 8-4 win over conference rival Brearley, Wednesday, Dayton [13-12] moved one step closer to achieving what no one outside the Bulldogs locker room fathomed at the start of the season.  

"It was tough coming back from an emotional loss like that," said first-year head coach Mike Abbate of Dayton's difficult 4-3 loss in the State Tournament Sectional Semis, Monday. "But these kids played with a lot of emotion and came back in a big way and that shows great character."  

The win allowed Dayton to play Brearley again next Wednesday at home, in essentially a one-game playoff for the conference title.     

Both Dayton and Brearley are 9-2 in the conference and Wednesday's win – coupled with Oratory Prep forfeiting to Dayton earlier – has made next week's rematch the most pressurized game in recent JDHS baseball history.  

Abbate wouldn't have it any other way because he'll have ace pitcher Ross Goldfarb on a full week's rest.   

"Ross will be well rested and ready to take the ball next week," Abbate said.  

Dayton made next week's do-or-die game possible after overcoming a 2-0 deficit heading into the second inning, on the strength of timely hitting. D.J. DiProfio knotted the score at 2-2 with a two-run double in the third inning. The senior centerfielder went 2-for-3 with two doubles on the day.   

As Brearley regained the lead, 4-2, following the fourth inning, Dayton yet again showed its mettle by tying it in the fifth, 4-4.     

The game was at a stand-still until the seventh when Dayton exploded for four runs to essentially put away the game.    

Senior catcher Tommy Clark led off with a single up the middle. Tyler Bujnowski sacrificed Clark to second. Elliot Karp advanced Clark to third on a fielder's choice. Marquay Mayo knocked in what turned out to be the eventual game-winning run when he drove in Clark with a single up the middle. Mayo then advanced to second on a throwing error. Alex Popolani then drove in Mayo with an RBI single. Matt Roland, who relieved starter Tommy Losito in the sixth inning to earn his first varsity win, singled. Sammy Dushkin walked, which led to a Chaz Bohannon two-run single.  

Abbate knew after that ambush that his Bulldogs weren't about to be stopped.  

"Some individuals had key at-bats and key moments but it really was a total team effort," he said. "Those kids weren't about to lose this."  

The freshman Bohannon, who had a game-high four RBI, was one of the main stars but it wasn't a surprise to Abbate.   

"I'm very happy for Chaz," said Abbate. "He's putting in the work and came to us to help his swing a couple of weeks ago and has been on a tear since. He's getting hot at the right time, making big hits—and he's only a freshman."   

Dayton has now earned a well-deserved break until Wednesday's finale after playing five games in seven days. They've won nine of their last 11 games and are now brimming with confidence.     

But more than any stats, timely hits, or mound heroics, they hold one huge advantage over Brearley – the fact that every one of those last 11 had essentially been win-or-bust.    

"Game 7 is at our place and that's all we could ask for," beamed Abbate.