Mepham Baseball Drops Tough Game to Freeport, 6-5

Coming into yesterday's game, Mepham knew they needed to play smart baseball in order to defeat Freeport. And even though they played a good game, stole bases, made great defensive plays and had strong hits, Mepham just couldn't put away Freeport in the end and were defeated 6-5.

Starting pitcher Matt Dato just didn't seem to have the right stuff and it showed with three early scores against the starting pitcher. Coach Bill Murphy understood his young pitchers struggles early on and pulled him with the bases loaded for pitcher Angelo Messina.

With the help of second basemen Mike Spadaro, Angelo Massina was able to get out of the jam, allowing only three runs in what could have been much worse for the Pirates.

Mepham responded quickly on defense again in the second inning with two great play by SS Steve Luczaj and a strike out by Angelo Massina. The bottom of the second inning showed Mepham's true talents, hitting the ball and smart base running.  

Mepham scored three runs in the bottom of the second half and stole a few bases that got their players in scoring position. The second inning saw the bases loaded for Mepham and ended short when second basemen  Mike Spadaro was thrown out on a iffy call at second base.

Mephams Angelo Massina, along with great defensive plays by all his infielders, kept Freeport's bats quiet until the fifth inning. Massina let up back-to-back doubles to let up one run in the top of the fifth to give the lead to Freeport, but only for a short period.

Mepham got right back at Freeport in the bottom of the inning when they scored another two runs off of strong hits a couple of stolen bases by catcher J.C. Brandmaier and center-fielder Mike Woolfson. First basemen Doug Marshall drove in two runs in that inning.

The sixth inning gave us an unbelievable diving catch and throw to home for a double play by Mephams third pitcher of the day, Greg Licausi. Freeport came out strong in the seventh inning and got a two-run double from left-fielder Hernandez to give the lead back to Freeport.  

"We need to play better baseball and we need more passion," Coach Murphy said.  

Mepham takes on Freeport again today in Freeport and their next two games are played against Oceanside on April 22 and 26.