Kennedy Baseball Sweeps Massapequa To Reach Final Four

How sweep it is for the Cougars.

Behind a complete game from Andrew Wood and a five-run fourth inning, Kennedy defeated Massapequa yesterday, 5-2, to sweep the quarterfinal series in two straight.  The win knocked out the defending Long Island champions, and sent the Cougars to the Class AA semifinals for the first time.

"It was great, the team atmosphere today was unbelievable," Wood said amidst the celebration.  "We knew we would get a final four appearance if we won, and we came through."

Wood came through more than anyone.  He went the distance, allowing only four hits and four walks, to go along with four strikeouts at Kennedy High School.

"It was incredible," Kennedy coach Eric Passman said of Wood's performance.  "[Massapequa] is the four-time defending L.I. champions...Andrew had them off balance all day, nothing hard, just kept them off balance."

Early on, it was Massapequa starter Joe Lipari who kept Kennedy off balance.  The righty tossed up zeros through the first three innings, and the third inning proved costly for the Cougars.

With two men on, first baseman Evan Krohn grounded into a force out to end the rally, the inning, and possibly his season, as he collapsed to the ground running to first.  Krohn had to be helped off the field, and after the game, Passman said it was a pulled hamstring.

"It doesn't look good," Passman said of Krohn's status the rest of the way.  Justin Gutterman took over at first the rest of the afternoon.

Along the way, a Brian Radigan RBI triple gave the Chiefs the early 1-0 lead, which held up until the fourth.  Then it was a time for Kennedy to come alive.

Right fielder Justin Harrison drew a leadoff walk, and four straight hits later, the Cougars were up 4-1.  The big blow was recorded by catcher Joseph Gallito, who launched a two-run double to center.

One batter later, Lipari was removed, relieved by lefty Ryan Van Buren.  A throwing error on a steal attempt allowed Gallito to score the Cougars' fifth run.

Their work was far from over, however.  In the fifth, the Chiefs scored on a groundout, and Wood handed out back to back walks to load the bases.  In the biggest out of the year for Kennedy, Wood got Rob Veltre to ground out to end the threat.

"That was when they were getting momentum back," Wood said.  "We held them there, then shut down their spirits...we're tough fighters."

It was the last, best chance for the defending champs to keep their season alive, and Chiefs coach Tom Sheedy knew it.

"You've got to cash opportunites in the playoffs, and we just didn't do that," Sheedy said.  "Give credit to Bellmore, they played a fine game."

The blown chance seemed to deflate Massapequa the rest of the way.  Wood (who had two hits of his own) retired the next six batters in order, and when Kevin Flecker flied out to end it, the celebration was underway.

"We've still got a lot to negotiate, we're going to play one game at a time...the kids think they're good and that's all that counts," Passman said.

Kennedy's opponent in the semis has yet to be determined.  But after the sixth-seeded Cougars eliminated the defending champs, Wood is confident that anything is possible the rest of the way.

"We've beaten everyone that's left [in the playoffs], I think we have a good shot...we'll go far I believe," he said.

Kennedy (11-10) will be in Class AA semifinal action on Monday.  Opponent, time and place to be determined.

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