Massapequa Coast Long Ball takes down Plainview

Many observers felt that Wednesday's opening game of the Long Island 11-year-old Little League Tournament was going to be a close game.

They weren't disappointed.

The game at Merry Field in Jericho was a nail biter, as Massapequa  won 8-7  on a walk off home run. 

Massapequa Coast took the field first looking for a win in their first game of the tournament.

Starting pitcher Austin Torres was easily able to handle the Plainview bats in the first inning, striking out one and getting two ground outs. 

Torres would have a hit in the bottom of the first inning but was left on base. He walked two batters to load the bases in the second but struck out the next batter to end the inning. 

The bottom of the inning saw the bats come alive for the Massapequa side. A lead off hit by right fielder Chris Keenan started the inning, being followed by a walk to Albert Fanara. Andy Hyatt would get a bunt hit  on the next play to load the bases for Brandon Fanizza. Fanizza delivered a huge hit up the middle for two RBI's and the first two runs of the game.

It seemed like it was going to be the start of something special but they were robbed by an amazing all-star caliber catch and tag by the Plainview starting pitcher to end the inning.

Plainview would grab a run back after Torres  issued a bases loaded walk. But Plainview couldn't hit Torres when he wasn't wild. Massapequa would get back their two run lead after Chris Keenan ripped a double into center field that scored Justin Schirmacher who had also hit a double over the center fielder's head.

Going into the fourth inning, Massapequa had a 3-1 lead and after Torres struck out two of his next three batters to end the inning it was time for Massapequa to bring in the big bats.

Coming off the bench, Teddy Turano stepped up to the plate, and after finding his pitch he ripped a monster home run over the right field wall.  

Jake Sabia would also enter the game off the bench and hit a line drive double up the middle to put himself in scoring position. Sal Americo, who already had a stellar play in the field earlier in the game came up to bat and hit a double to score the run to make it 5-1.

Going to the bottom of the fifth inning the home runs continued as Mark Rodriguez, dubbed "M-Rod" by his teammates and Albert Fanara hit back to back home runs to extend the lead to 7-2. 

The fans were pumped going into the top of the 6th inning. Relief pitcher Rodriquez made a great catch off a line drive right back at him. But he appeared a little rattled by the hit and allowed Plainview  back into the game.

The Plainview side scored five runs to tie the game at 7 going into the bottom of the inning after Justin Schirmacher, another relief pitcher struck out the last batter to end the inning.

With the game tied and the fans and players a little on edge Dylan Nealis stepped up to the plate. He took his practice swing and stepped up and found his pitch. Nealis dug in and hit a line drive over the centerfield wall to end the game. His teammates gave him a rousing greeting at home plate. 

After the game Coach Brian Schiermacher said his team needs to work on some things. "We need to lower the amount of walks we give up and we need to hit our cut off men," he said. But  he added "You cant say we didn't hit".

Massapequa's next game is Thursday at 8pm at Burns Park.