Merrick Loses Heartbreaker to Massapequa

The little leaguers from Massapequa were in an early hole against a strong Merrick team, but found a way to claw back and defeat their South Shore rivals on Friday evening, 10-9.

The defeat ended Merrick's run in the 10-year-old boys Williamsport district tournament after a hard fought game at Merrick Road Park.

"I thought our kids showed a lot of courage, a lot of heart and battled the whole game," Merrick manager Nick Yohe said.

Massapequa used a total of four pitchers to secure a victory, but it certainly did not come easy. John Vento started the game on the mound for Massapequa and had the first crack at the tough Merrick lineup.

Merrick got on the board first in dramatic fashion. Michael Kavanagh hit a massive double to left field, while Jake Gallitto was on first base. Gallitto rounded third and slid into home just before a tag from Vento was applied, giving Merrick the early lead. Kevin Yohe then followed with an RBI single up the middle.

For Merrick, Kevin Hannon had the pitching duties to start the game. Hannon went four innings in total, and left with his team holding onto a one run lead. In his first inning of work, Hannon ran into a bit of trouble, as Massapequa answered right back, scoring three runs.

Merrick second baseman Bob Stokel made two nice plays in the inning to make sure no more damage was done. Robert Ballie hit a slow roller to second base, Stokel charged and made a bare hand throw to get the out at first. Even though a run did cross the plate for Massapequa on the play, the out was huge.

Merrick took back the lead in the second by scoring three runs, including RBI singles from Gallitto and Hannon. Massapequa made a pitching change during the inning, bringing in Ryan Mullaly.

With first and third and one out, Hannon tried to steal second and draw a throw, potentially allowing Gallitto to score from third. The Massapequa shortstop, Christopher Wasson, cut the ball off and quickly threw home to nail Gallitto before he crossed the plate, all but ending the Merrick scoring threat in the second.

In the top of the third, Merrick plated three more runners with the help of a two RBI single off the bat of Paul Christopher. Massapequa again changed pitchers, bringing in Aidan Cooney who pitched solid in his one and two-thirds innings of work.

Merrick got one run in the fourth inning on a Frank Bruno RBI single, scoring Nick Vicino who doubled just prior.

The lead was 8-3 favoring Merrick in the middle of the third inning; at the end of the fourth that lead was cut to 9-8. Wasson hit an RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth, followed by a Daniel Gdanski RBI single. Gdanski later scored on an RBI groundout by Matthew McCarthy, and the nail biting finish was set to take place.

"I think the big strength of this team is when we're down we seem to find a way to come back," Massapequa manager Rob Wasson said.

Andrew Russell came onto pitch for Massapequa in the fifth inning and did not allow a Merrick batter to reach second base in his two innings on the hill. He set the Merrick squad down in order in the fifth, giving the Massapequa offense a chance to take the lead in the bottom half.

Merrick changed pitchers, bringing in Christopher to work the fifth. With two outs and two runners on for Massapequa, Wasson again split the Merrick outfield with a line drive, driving in the ninth and 10th runs for Massapequa. Wasson tried to score himself on the play, but was tagged out at home by Gallitto.

Russell shut the door in the sixth, with the help of an unassisted double play from Wasson at shortstop, and struck out the final batter on a foul tip, securing the Massapequa victory.

"It was just one of those games where it was just a play or two that changes the whole game," Wasson said. "I'm very humbled by the win, because I'm proud of my team, but I also know how they (Merrick) could've won on one simple play that went their way."

Download the movie

Download the movie

Download the movie

Download the movie

Download the movie