Lynbrook Swept by Top-Ranked Plainedge

The Lynbrook Owls went into their critical series against Long Island’s top-ranked Plainedge team, winners of eight of its last nine games. With a Conference A-III title still up for grabs prior to the series, the Owls (9-5) suffered a tough three-game sweep at the hands of the Red Devils (14-0) this past week.

In the opening game at Plainedge on May 2, Lynbrook trailed for the extent of the game as the home team pulled away in the bottom of the fourth inning to eventually win 8-5. Tyler Manez remained undefeated to pick up his fifth win of the season and Tom Smith pitched two perfect innings for the save.

Brian Bilello hit his team-leading third home run for Lynbrook and Steve Miller went 2-for-3 with two RBI’s to lead Plainedge in the win.

In the second game at Lynbrook on May 3, the Owls' Alex Weingarten went into the match-up having not surrendering an earned run in the past 24 innings. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie until Plainedge broke Weingarten’s streak in the fifth inning after scoring thee runs, capped off by a two-run single by Miller.

Andrew Marks hit a two-run single in the bottom half of the inning to pull Lynbrook to within 3-2, but the score would stay at that for the remainder of the day as Plainedge took the game on the road behind Kyle Halbohn’s six-inning outing,  striking out seven batters for his fourth win of the season. The loss was the first of the season for Lynbrook’s Weingarten (4-1).

In the third game at Plainedge on May 5, Anthony Graziano led the way for the Red Devils as he pitched a complete-game four-hitter against the Owls for his fourth win of the season. Both Anthony Pensapo and Cody Golub picked up RBI singles to bolster the offense in a 3-0 win for Plainedge.

Danny Grossi pitched well in the loss for Lynbrook, but the offense struggled at the plate as the Owls did not score a run in a game for the first time this season.

“Plainedge is No. 1 for a reason," said Lynbrook head coach Al Marrazzo. "They know how to win games and capitalize on every mistake that you make. With that, they are going to find a way to beat you."

With the sweep, Plainedge captured the Conference A-III title. Lynbrook will battle with Bethpage for the second available playoff spot. Bethpage (8-6) made up ground over the past week with its own sweep of Lawrence.

The Owls will take on the Golden Eagles in the final series of the regular season to ultimately determine who will advance to the postseason. The first game takes place at Marion Street School in Lynbrook on May 9 at 4:30 p.m. Game 2 is at Bethpage on May 10 at 4:30 p.m., and Game 3 is at Marion Street on May 11 at 4:30 p.m.