Peekskill Defeats Carmel in W.P.B.A. 16U Semi-Final

The first semi-final game of the Westchester-Putnam Baseball Association 16 and under playoffs was held on Thursday night at Peekskill Stadium. 

The contest pitted the fifth seeded Peekskill team (11-11), against the eighth seeded Carmel team (10-12), with a trip to the championship game on the line. 

Early in the game the bright sunlight caused problems for the Carmel defense. Routine pop ups were falling in due to poor visibility. The Peekskill team was able to capitalize on these mistakes by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. 

Pitcher and clean-up hitter Nick Soto knocked in the games first run with a single that advanced the runners to 2nd and 3rd on the throw home. On the very next pitch Carmel's pitcher Brandt, threw wild which enabled the runner from third to score. Peekskill lead 2 - 0 after one.

The lead was jeopardized when Carmel was set up with runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the second inning. After a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third, Soto reached back for his fastball and struck out the next batter. 

The defining play of the game was made when the next batter hit a bouncing ball to Soto's right. Soto was able to stop the ball with his bare paw - bobble it - catch it and throw across his body to first in order to make the third out just in time.

An amazing play on any level, it prevented the ball from getting through the infield to tie the game. The play seemed to deflate the Carmel team and give all the momentum to Peekskill. 

Carmel’s promising looking innings were ended by line-out double plays where base runners were being caught too far off base. 

After that they weren't given many more chances to score as Nick Soto dialed up his fastball. Soto struck out four batters in the top of the third, because Peekskill catcher threw wild to first on a bouncing strike three.

Peekskill scored their third and fourth runs with two outs in the bottom of the third when Anthony Murphy blasted a shot over the center fielders head knocking in the third run. Afterwards Nick Soto ripped a single up the middle to make it 4 - 0. 

Soto started to hit his stride in the top of the fourth. He struck out four batters because a muffed ball by the catcher on a third strike was dropped on the throw to first. 

Coach Doug Glickert said of Soto: "He didn't have his best stuff tonight, but man he played gutsy as hell."

Carmel as able to score their first run in the top of the sixth and appeared to be making a last inning rally in the seventh off of relief pitcher Colin Hedley. 

After allowing a lead off single, Hedley threw wild allowing the runner to move to second. It looked as though the wheels might have been coming off, but Hedley regained his composure and struck out the next two batters. The next batter scored Carmel's second run and gave them runners on the corners with two down. Hedley struck out the next batter ending the game and putting Peekskill in the finals. 

"I'm proud of all of our players,” Coach Glickert said after the game. “It was important to get ahead early to take the pressure off of the pitching. Soto played fantastic and made some incredible plays He has been our MVP all year. Just a great athlete. He came up with a lot of big hits in big spots."

Glickert enjoyed the fact that his team is made up of mostly the same kids he coached when they were 10 years old.

"It's funny this team is reunited and we have a chance to do it again years later." 

Peekskill will play the winner of the North Salem Vs. Shrub Oak semi-final matchup in the finals at 12:30 on Aug. 13.