Albertus Baseball Falls to Nanuet Knights, 11-7

Falcons baseball had a tough loss to the Nanuet Knights after a  big shot to tie it in the seventh fell short. 

After a difficult first inning, which left the game 9-0 in favor of the Knights, Albertus fought back, bringing it within four to set up the nearly miraculous hit from Mike Celenza who was batting cleanup.  The Falcons were expecting a competitive game from the Knights, and that's exactly what they got.  Despite the difficulties in the first inning, Albertus played a solid game with some great plays.  Unfortunately for them, it was not enough to recover from the early deficit.

By the bottom of the third, the Knights had already scored 10 runs while the Falcons were still waiting for their first.  With runners on second and third, Brandon Bellane hit a single to drive in Corey Lopez.  Mike Celenza followed by hitting one deep into left field to bring home John Tasaro for the Falcons second run of the game.  Then it was Rich Fray who brought the score to 10-4 with a home run.  Andrew Festa brought in the final run of the inning with a deep hit to left field that bounced out for a ground rule double.

There was a scary moment in the top of the fifth when Falcons pitcher Andrew Schweitzer got nailed in the ribs with a line drive that sent him to the hospital.  Coach Pat Gorman brought in Matt Dale to replace him, who had a solid inning in letting up only one run.  The hitters in the bottom of the fifth and top of the sixth went down in order, due to solid pitching and fielding on both sides.

The Falcons were able to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth and retired the side in order to set them up for the play that nearly tied the game.  With two outs and the bases loaded, Mike Celenza came up to bat.  The count was 2-2 when he sent the ball deep into center field to nearly hit a grand slam and tie the game.  Unfortunately for the Falcons, it didn't quite go the distance and the center fielder made the catch to end the game with the score 11-7.

Tuesday's loss brought the Falcons season to 5-12.  With a record of 2-3 in their division, they can look forward to the playoffs, which will prove to be tough challenge for the team.