Déjà Vu: Thomas' Two Strike Homer Leads Magical Colts Comeback Over Kennedy

"The old axiom proves true," Calhoun catcher Jake Thomas said after yesterday's showdown with Kennedy.  "It isn't over until the fat lady sings."

Thomas and the Colts (7-3) proved that true yesterday as for the second time this season, they were able to come up with a big two-strike homer with two outs in the final inning to bring themselves back into the game.

This time, it was Thomas providing the heroics with a three-run blast off Cougars ace Kevin Archbald.  The Colts would add five runs in the eighth inning to ensure an 11-6 win at Kennedy High School.

"I just kept trying to put the ball in play," Thomas said.  "I fouled off like four pitches in a row, and then he [Archbald] left one over the middle, and I was able to get a good cut on it."

The whole situation could have been avoided, as Archbald struck out the first two batters to face him in the seventh. Dan Sullivan kept the game alive with a single, and then Ryan Kass hit a pop up, and the game seemed sure to be over. But the ball hit the palm of Archbald's glove and popped out, and that kept the inning alive, and then Thomas capitalized.

"We are going to have to see what type of mental toughness we have," Kennedy coach Eric Passman said.  "This is an absolutely crushing loss.  There is just no other way to describe it."

At the time, Thomas' homer tied the game at six apiece, but there was more adversity to overcome for the Colts.  Mike Grossane, who served up a two-run homer to Noah Shulman in the bottom of the sixth, was back in trouble in the seventh. After allowing a lead-off single, Grossane stuck out Evan Krohn for the first out, and then he walked a pair to load the bases.

"Jake [Thomas] came out to tell me that I need to throw strikes," Grossane said. "I knew I had to knuckle down and make my pitches."

Grossane came up big for his club, and he struck out Jordan Leopold and got Andrew Wood to pop out to get out of the big jam. Then the bats came to life for the Colts and they never looked back.

After Alex Ras flew out, Thomas Viverito reached on an error.  Zach Goldstein broke the scoreless tie with a double, and then Frank Trimarco and Joe Saladino walked to load the bases. Dan Sullivan flew out, and then the Colts came up with big two-out hits to earn themselves some insurance.  First, Kass walked to force in a run, and then Thomas singled in one as well. Robbie Rosen capped the scoring with a two-run single of his own.

"It's huge to add those insurance runs," Rosen said. "We need to take the pressure off of the pitcher and the defense, and when you enter an inning tied and leave with a five run lead, that helps."

Frank Trimarco was able to close the door in the bottom of the eighth, and that gave Grossane his first career varsity win.

"I'm not sure if I deserve it, but I will definitely take it," Grossane said.

Grossane pitched behind Joey Christopher, who was pitching with a fever for the first four innings. Christopher went four innings before being taken out, and he allowed three runs on eight hits, but he managed to minimize the damage against him.

For Kennedy (4-7), Archbald was untouchable for the first half of the game. He had a no-hitter through four innings, but Goldstein singled to get the Colts going. Archbald had the hitters off balance, and he managed 11 strikeouts in the effort.

"He's a great pitcher," Thomas said.  "He had our number for a big part of the game. You have to tip your cap to him."

Noah Shulman was the offensive star for the Cougars.  He reached base four times, and he clubbed two homers and had three RBIs.

The Kennedy players were unavailable for comment after the game.

The win was the fifth in a row for Calhoun, and Kennedy lost for the third straight time. 

Both teams are back in action today as the Colts travel to Baldwin for a 4:30 p.m. start and Kennedy hosts Massapequa at 4:15 p.m.  Calhoun will be looking to continue its hot streak, while Kennedy will be hoping to start a new one.