Perfect! Calhoun Baseball Edges Mepham to Finish Undefeated

The last one is always the hardest, it seems, but the Calhoun Colts baseball team managed to finish off its league season with a perfect 15-0 record on Wednesday afternoon with a narrow 4-3 win over Mepham.

All that was standing between Calhoun and an undefeated season was Mepham, whom the Colts beat handily twice earlier this week.

Monday, it was a 12-2 Colts victory, as Jake Thomas and Alex Rodriguez both homered, while Frank Trimarco got the job done on the mound.

Tuesday, it was more of the same, a 19-7 Calhoun rout. Alex Vargas drove in four, and got the win on the mound.

Mepham nearly pulled off the upset on Wednesday, but fell just short. The Pirates finish conference play at 6-9.

Both teams are heading to the playoffs against opponents that have yet to be determined.

"It's unbelievable. Baseball's the hardest sport to go undefeated in," Calhoun catcher Jake Thomas said. "Everything went our way."

That included Wednesday, as Zach Goldstein and Trimarco got hits to lead off the game. Goldstein scored when Mepham had trouble getting the ball in.

With two runners on in third, Thomas laced a curveball for a two-run double, and Tom Viverito followed with an RBI single to make it 4-0.

However, Mepham would chip away against Calhoun starter Joey Christopher. Nick White hit an RBI double in the third, and his bases-loaded walk plated another in the fourth. 

Viverito came in from the outfield to relieve Christopher in the fifth. With two men on, Viverito got the next three Pirates to ground out to end one threat.

White hit another RBI double in sixth to pull Mepham within one, but with two men on, Viverito struck out Greg LiCausi to squelch that rally.

Mepham shortstop Jordan Gilroy ripped a Viverito offering to deep center in seventh, but outfielder Alex Ras hauled it in right in front of the fence, as Gilroy just missed a dramatic game-tying home run.

"Those things are out of your control. They hit the ball, put a charge in it ... you just got to hope they fall in," Mepham head coach Bill Murphy said.

Anthony Aiello and Tom DeLuca followed with hits, but Viverito got Nick Appel to hit a comebacker to the mound to end the final threat, and the game.

"[Viverito's] 4-0 this year -- nobody's beaten him," Calhoun head coach Joe Corea said. "You have to bring in one of your best kids, it's nice to be able [to do that]."

Viverito got the save, with Christopher getting the win. Angelo Messina took the loss for Mepham, who, in the very least, ended the regular season on a respectable note.

"We showed that when we execute, we can play with anybody, no matter who it is," Murphy said.

As for Calhoun, they'll face Chaminade in a scrimmage to help keep them sharp. They also hope to get leadoff hitter Dan Sullivan back, who missed the game with a pulled hamstring. The team's overall plan is pretty straightforward.

"Just keep hitting, keep playing solid defense, and our pitching will be ready," Corea said.