2010 Harrison Baseball Season In Review

Coach Marco DiRuocco and the Huskies came into this year with high expectations. The team started out their season with a spring training trip to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The team played several preseason games in Florida and even two regular season contests against John Jay. Coach DiRuocco was excited to start the season over 1,100 miles from home. The team split the games with John Jay and the season was underway.

The team had a tumultuous start to the season. The Huskies hovered around the .500 mark for the entirety of year, until Harrison played their main rival Rye on May 11.

"In the beginning of the year no one knew each other," said Harrison's third basemen Mike DeLacy, "so we all played for ourselves and that didn't help us perform well as a team."

Harrison was led by their starting pitcher Zach Eklund. Eklund pitched brilliantly in his eight innings and he only allowed two runs against the Garnets, but the Harrison was incapable of getting any offense for themselves. Harrison lost 2-1 and for several members of the team it was the low point of the season.

"Losing to rye in the 8th inning killed us," said Harrison's Peter Viscogliosi, "it was a terrible heartbreaking ending behind a great pitching performance by Zach, and we as a team had a horrible day hitting."

A tough loss to a bitter rival could either cripple a team for the season or it could bring them together.

The Huskies took the loss and bonded over it and the team didn't lose another game in the regular season. The Huskies got on such a roll that they earned the eighth seed in the sectional playoffs.

In the first round of the playoffs Harrison earned a home game against Rye and again this time Eklund was on the mound for the Huskies but this time there was no shortage of offense. Harrison dominated the game but gave up some runs late to make it look close. The game ended with a 9-7 victory for Harrison behind a 145 pitch effort from the senior Eklund.

The next two rounds Harrison played at home against Tappan Zee and at Pearl River the Huskies dominated both games and didn't give up a run in either of them. Goh Ogura shut down Tappan Zee 12-0 and Max Bruckner dominated Pearl River on the road 7-0.

The winning streak got Harrison all the way to the section championship game in Dutchess Stadium against Lakeland and a future college pitcher. Harrison got good pitching outings in the game from both Eklund and Ogura but the Huskies offense could never break through. Harrison lost the game 4-1 but many members of the team were still happy for the experience.

"Making it to section finals was a goal I have had throughout high school," said Harrison's DeLacy, "It would have been nice to come away with a victory but I am thankful for the opportunity to play in a championship game."

The Harrison team was lucky to be led all year with several seniors and the team will be hard pressed to fill the holes left by the seven graduates.

Zach Eklund was the team's big game pitcher and next year he will be pitching at Division II Saint Thomas Aquinas College.

"Zach is absolutely hysterical," said Harrison's junior Brendan O'Shea, "but come game time he always gets very focused and we were always confident with him on the mound."

Robert Carducci was the team's second basemen and he hit in the middle of the line up all season long.

"When I was on the mound I was always confident with Robbie behind me," said Goh Ogura, "Robbie is a terrific fielder and a great hitter."

Ryan Mustacato was a valuable utility player for Harrison, he was the team's forth outfielder as well as one of the Huskies best relief pitchers.

"Ryan was of the best role players on the team," said DeLacy of Mustacato, "whenever we called on him pitch or to play the field he did a great job and he was always ready."

Dominick Mustacato platooned all season long behind the plate. He was able to manage every pitcher including his twin brother Ryan.

"An awesome kid," said outfielder Peter Viscogliosi, "I've been friends with him for a long time and he always did what he was suppose to when he was called upon. He was a great catcher."

RJ Suhre did everything the team needed him to do both on and off the field.

"He is an extraordinary kid," said Viscogliosi, "he shows respect to everyone he meets and he will be missed by everyone once he graduates."

Goh Ogura was the team's starting right fielder and one of the team's best pitchers. On the mound he was a specialist and he rarely allowed a run and in the outfield he was quick enough to get to any ball hit toward him.

"He may have been the best pitcher on the team," said O'Shea of the senior, "and as good as he was on the mound, he was equally as dominant in the outfield."

Mike DeLacy was the team's captain and the third baseman was also the leagues Most Valuable Player.

"Mike is the backbone of our line up," said Viscogliosi, "he came through in the clutch for us when we needed him too and he always played a stellar third base.

The seven seniors will be missed but members team besides DeLacy also won several other awards.

DeLacy and sophomore Max Bruckner were the all-section representatives for Harrison. Bruckner was also the pitcher of the year for the league.

Besides DeLacy and Bruckner, Harrison also had four other all league players, Robert Carducci, Mike Jacobson, Mike Chiarella, and Shang-Li Polera.

"I am very proud of our players and how they performed all year long," said Harrison's coach Marco DiRuocco.

The Huskies Cinderella season ended in the championship game and with several good returning young players there is no reason why Harrison can not be back there again next year.