REDS (DD)

Oceanside Seniors win District 30 & Section 4 Championship Oceanside combined 15/16yr olds won District 30 outscoring their opponents 23-1 on the arms of Jon Kane & Brian Fajen , and defensively did not commit an error! Our offense was led by Jon Kane, Eric Bornstein, Sal Buzzetta, Anthony Abiuso, Steve Polidoro & Eric Lyons as they all hit over .400. Next was the Section 4 play for the right to represent Long Island in the state finals. The boys faced District 35 champs Seldon/Centereach and defeated them 8-1 as Jon Kane went 6innings on a very hot day surrendering1 run on 4 hits,1w&6k's. Johnny Orr got his feet wet closing out the game with a1-2-3 inning with 2 strike outs. Eric Lyons went 2-2,2r & Anthony Abiuso went 2-3,2r,sac, were the catalyst on offense. Chipping in as well was Sal Buzzetta went 1-3, Eric Bornstein went 1-2. Jon Kane added a sac fly. Then it was onto the Long Island Championship against the boys high school arch rivals, Massapequa. Massapequa started the game with a lead off triple followed by back to back singles for 1-0 lead. When starter Brian Fajen showed how tough he and this team are as he got the cleanup hitter to hit a ground ball that was fielded beautifully by 2nd baseman Eric Lyons, who fed shortstop Anthony Abiuso who turned the DP. Massapequa was turned away with just 1 run and seemed to be caught on their heels as we scored 3 in the bottom of the 1st to take a 3-1 lead. With 1out, Anthony Abiuso worked out a walk after falling behind in the count 0-2,singles by Jon Kane & Eric Bornstein tied the score. Sal Buzzetta gave us the lead with a ground out and Larry Intrabartola went 2-3,2b,r,2rbi, singled driving in the 3rd run. In the 2nd inning Massapequa got a leadoff walk and Eric Bornstein made a great catch going away in centerfield and making a strong throw to 1st to double up the runner who was around 2nd base to prevent a scoring opportunity. Massapequa scored in the 3rd to make it 3-2.in the 4th. We opened up the game as Larry Intrabartola followed a lead off single by Sal Buzzetta with a booming rbi double to right center. John Orr bunted Larry to 3rd. With 1 out , Larry scored on a squeeze play that got by the catcher for the eventual game winner! In the top of the 5th Massapequa made their last threat as they loaded the bases with 1 out. Johnny Orr relieved tired starter, "IronMan" Brian Fajen - who pitched a great game, and after walk & sac fly that made it 5-4, retired the final 8 batters including the #2,3,4 batters to end the game for a HUGE SAVE! Next up, State Finals in Allegany in western New York. We will face section 3 champs (city) from Throgs Neck, Bronx in double elimination format of the final four! By Bill Kane, Manager