Massapequa Baseball Takes First Place With Series Win Over Oceanside

The Massapequa Baseball team moved into sole possession of the top spot in Conference AA-I after defeating Oceanside twice in a three game series. The Chiefs (10-3, 6-2) dropped the opening game at home against the Sailors (8-5, 5-4), but came back to win the next two for the second series in a row.

In the opening game, Oceanside took the decision behind the strong pitching of Erik Kondak, who pitched a complete game five-hitter while striking out four batters in the 7-1 win. Ryan McCormick made his second start of the season, but picked up a loss to move to a 1-1 record on the mound.

In the next game at Oceanside, Massapequa got a lead early as their opponents did in the previous outing. Ryan Boix pitched four and 1/3 innings to pick up his third win of the season, but it was Ryan Van Buren who came in for the greater part of the last three innings to close out the 7-2 win.

Van Buren came in with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth inning and got out of the jam to preserve the 3-1 lead for the Chiefs. In the sixth inning, Massapequa scored four times to bolster the lead. Van Buren, James Fanneron and Brendan McQuillan all hit two-run singles to lead the offense.

In the third and deciding game at Massapequa, Eric Amato was the story for the Chiefs on the day. Amato went just one out short of a complete game shutout as Van Buren came in for the final out in a 4-0 win. He gave up just four hits while striking out six batters. The win was Amato's third this season, tying him with Boix for the team lead.

Heroes: Ryan Van Buren came up in big spots throughout the series, especially in the pivotal second game where he picked up three RBI's and got Massapequa out of the fifth inning jam.

"The second game was a good win after we took a shot in the first one. We really bounced back from that in the end," Van Buren said. "The third was a big game for us to stay atop the conference."

Turning Point: With Oceanside already with a win in the first game, they looked primed to take a lead with the bases loeaded in the fifth, but Van Buren saved the Chiefs and gave them momentum to hold on to win the game and eventually take the third game as well.

Quotable: "It was nice to play with lead as they did in the first game. Van Buren's pitching in the second game was huge. It was the turning point of the game and the series," Massapequa head coach Tom Sheedy said. "It was a big gut check game in the second one and our kids played good baseball. This is the way this series against Oceanside is every time."

Bottom Line: With Massapequa still having series against Farmingdale and Syosset, they are in good position to win the conference after beating top contenders Oceanside and Hicksville twice each. Those last two opponents are currently in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Key Stat: Eric Amato and Ryan Boix have been the top pitchers for Massapequa this season, both winning their third game against Oceanside.

Who's Next: Massapequa @ Farmingdale, May 2, 4:00 p.m.