Sports Notebook: Royals Baseball and Softball Teams In First Place

A wrap up of Royals sports results from the past week in Port Jefferson.

Varsity Baseball

“We’re progressing very nicely and I have a good bunch of players who have high expectations,” said Royals varsity baseball head coach Jesse Rosen, who has led Port Jefferson to a 4-2 start in League VIII. “I also have high expectations for us this season and the guys realize that baseball is a cerebral game and it’s starting to trickle down to all of them. Overall, I’m pleased with our start and even in our two losses, we played well.”

On April 11, the Royals won a 7-5 game at Smithtown Christian as starting pitcher Alex Tsunis, a junior improved his 2011 season pitching record to a flawless 3-0. Tsunis was also instrumental offensively, as his one-out suicide squeeze enabled catcher Joe Gerbino to race home from third base to score Port Jefferson’s seventh run. Mike Toffales had a great game at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored, while Joey Booker picked up his league-leading second save of the season after coming into the game in a relief pitching appearance.

On Thursday April 14, Port Jefferson’s players were finally able to take the field after two straight days of rain and they didn’t disappoint their fans, winning 3-0 against Smithtown Christian as Booker, a sophomore, pitched a gem. Booker, making his first varsity start on the mound, threw strikes from start to finish, as coach Rosen encouraged him from the sidelines.

“Throw strikes and they won’t touch you,” shouted Rosen from the dugout and that’s exactly what Booker did. In seven innings, Booker struck out eight Smithtown Christian batters, allowing only three hits in the process.

Booker also helped his cause by getting two hits in three plate appearances. RBI singles were provided off the bats of infielder Billy Crowe and first baseman Alex Ruback as the Royals improved to 4-2 and took sole control of first place in the league standings.

Varsity Softball

The Lady Royals have been red-hot this season, improving to 6-0 with a pair of recent wins. On April 9, Port Jeff defeated Stony Brook 13-2 at home, with starting pitcher Michiko McGivney striking out 11 without allowing an earned run to score. She was also a force at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and a game-high five runs scored. Joy Morrison had an even bigger day with the bat, going 5-for-6 with four runs scored and five RBI.

The Lady Royals followed that impressive victory with another win, this time at Southampton as Port Jefferson blanked the Lady Mariners 12-0 behind the stellar pitching of Melissa Darling. Darling allowed only three hits over five innings, mixing in four strikeouts without allowing a walk and improving her 2011 pitching record to 3-0. McGivney, who also holds a 3-0 pitching record this season, collected three hits in three at-bats and scored four runs. Morgan Sakovich had three hits and had a season-high six RBI.