COUNTY FINALS: Bulldogs Bounce Back, Defeat Division 12-6

It was do or die for the Island Trees Bulldogs varsity baseball team as they took on their crosstown rivals, the Division Avenue Blue Dragons, for the second game of the Class A Finals Tuesday afternoon.

The Blue Dragons came out on top Monday but were not so lucky the second time around. After claiming 10 runs in just two innings, the Bulldogs were able to carry their lead to the very end, defeating Division 12-6.

"We pitched today," Island Trees Head Coach Joe D'Auria said. "Mike Jeannetti was incredible on the mound. We also did much better at bat."

Up at bat, Louis Mele broke it open in the top of the third inning for Island Trees with a two-run single to bring the Bulldogs up to a 2-0 lead. His teammates followed, racking in four more runs that same inning. Mike Witteck earned a walk with bases loaded, and Ryan MacDonald sent the ball soaring to right field, bringing three more runners through home plate.

Heading into the fourth, the Bulldogs kept their streak running strong. After an RBI single from Jeannetti, outfielder Kyle Nigro blasted a three-run triple to put the Bulldogs up by 10. 

"He's played like this all year -- he's driven in 30 runs which is an all county season in most players," D'Auria said of Nigro. "He's been incredible."

Though they were 10 runs behind, the boys in blue were determined to hop on the scoreboard.

Momentum was stirring in the bottom of the fourth inning after a strong hit from Johnny Muller gave the Blue Dragons two runs. Muller then scored on a base hit from Lenny Martinez quickly followed by a three-run homer from J.J. Kisane. Though a pivotal inning for Division, the Bulldogs were able to shutout their opponents for the remainder of the matchup.

"J.J. [Kisane] was able to cut the lead to four but our pitching gave it right back," Division Avenue Head Coach Tom Tuttle said. "We need to pitch the way we're capable of pitching."

The Blue Dragons are hoping to do just that Thursday when they face off against the Bulldogs one last time for the county championship.

"We have Matt Bowen going for us Thursday; he's pitched in two elimination games for us so far," D'Auria said. "We need a well pitched game; we need to play defense and take the same approach at the plate."