West Islip One Loss Away From Elimination

The cloudy weather came and went all afternoon over Sachem North's home field Tuesday afternoon, almost matching the peaks in the action between the No. 7 Arrows and No. 10 West Islip. 

But when the sun popped out again for the final time at the bottom of the seventh inning, it was North that finally got exactly what it needed.

Alec Sole drew a walk, soon scrambling to third off a Brendan Garry (2-for-3) left-field single after two outs. As Justin Carlo’s intentional walk loaded the bases, the pressure mounted further. West Islip's strategy backfired as North's Nick Teta connected for the game-winner, sending Sole home and edging out the Lions 3-2 in the first round of the Suffolk Class AA playoffs. 

"Definitely a little pressure, but it's one game at a time," Teta said, also giving the nod to pitcher Mike Vitale for his handling. "Two outs at the bottom of the inning, so I just had to come through with the big hit."

Still unnerved, Vitale's throwing hand shook slightly after the celebration. Reflecting on the defensive chemistry he's developed with Garry at home plate among others, his words were few but clear.

"I'm looking forward to more," he said, grinning.

The senior never left the fight, allowing just three hits and three walks, plus retiring five batters.

"People always ask if we're using Sole, but Vitale's been good all year," Sachem North head coach Tom Gambino said. "He only had one bad pitch the whole game."

Also going the distance, Lions pitcher Christian Stancavage struck out five and allowed four walks.

"It's happened a couple of times this year, where we hoped Christian could get it done," said West Islip head coach Shawn Rush. "There were plenty of opportunities."

The Lions grabbed an early lead at the top of the first, when fourth batter Robert Pescitelli crushed a two-run homer over the midfield fence, catapulting himself and Tyler Bell around the diamond. In the fourth, Pescitelli drew a walk then pushed to second on Sam Ilario's sacrifice bunt. As Steven Lombardi smacked the ball toward third, the Arrows defense made its first big stand just as quickly. From third baseman Carlo to second baseman Mike Scarlato and finally to Teta at first, the ball made its way down the bases for the game's only double-play. 

At the bottom of the same frame, Garry singled a grounder to left, then cruised ahead to third off Carlo's double. Though he more than made up for the lapse later on, Teta left both stranded when he struck out on a 2-2 count.

In the fifth, however, North's bats first found their rhythm. Brian Hennelly led off with a single, and Scarlato got on base due to a fielding error by the shortstop that also let Hennelly advance to third. Nick Santangelo's one-run double put North on the board and two batters later, Sole followed suit with a one-run double of his own. Unfortunately for North, Carlo struck out to end the inning, ending North's first bases-loaded scoring opportunity.

"We came out to a quick start, we just needed that clutch hit," said Bell. "This one's a heartbreaker for sure."

Down but not out, West Islip will have a chance to redeem itself tomorrow, playing No. 2 Smithtown West. The Bulls fell 12-5 to No. 15 Northport at home Monday. North hosts Northport Wednesday, this time with Sole expected to pitch, according to Gambino.