Baseball: Thunderbolts Late Rally Tames Lions

The Thunderbolts seem to be thriving in an underdog role. They closed the season by winning four out of five games to sneak into the post-season. Their momentum continued on Wednesday afternoon with a 4-2 win over the Lincoln Lions in the first round of the Division I playoffs.

East struck early and after surrendering the lead, rallied for two late runs to notch the 4-2 win over third-seeded Lincoln. The Thunderbolts entered the playoff seeded 14th.

In the top of the 1st, lead-off hitter East co-captain John Razzino singled to right field. He made it to third base when Lincoln starting pitcher Ryan O'Dell threw it past the first baseman on a pick-off attempt. Thunderbolts junior Cody Lindell produced the game's first run on a sacrifice fly.

East pitcher Bob D'Arezzo helped his own cause with an RBI single in the third inning, extending the Bolts lead to 2-0. Through three innings on the mound, D'Arezzo had not surrendered a hit.

"Bobby has been very successful at closing games and he pitched great today," East head coach Mike Walsh said.

After two Lincoln players reached base and were in scoring position, senior Tyler Santaniello grounded out to second base in the bottom of the fourth, picking up a fielder's choice RBI. East's lead had been trimmed to 2-1.

The Lions tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when Joe Hamilton singled to center.

East's defense has been sharp all season long and a nice play in the bottom of the sixth halted a rally. Second baseman Steve Bucci made a running catch on a sharp liner. It was a momentum killer and the game headed to the seventh inning tied at 2.

"We put pressure on teams at the plate because we are solid defensively," Walsh said, "Ivan has done a great job at shortshop and Josmar’s plays at third are eye opening."

The Bolts had the top of the order due up in the 7th and they produced. Razzino, sophomore Ivan Reyes and D'Arezzo each singled, loading the bases with one out.

Junior Josmar Ventura came through in the clutch with an RBI double to left center, driving in two runs. 

D'Arezzo shut down the Lions in the bottom of the 7th, retiring the side in order on three groundouts. East, the #14 seed, defeated the #3 seeded Lions 4-2 in the first game of the Division I State Playoffs. The Thunderbolts return to action tomorrow when they will face off against St. Raphael Thursday afternoon.