Sports
Pirates Exact Revenge on Cougars Behind Marshall's Walk-Off Hit
Mepham and JFK split back-to-back games; Pirates edge Cougars yesterday, 3-2.
Mepham senior Doug Marshall drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning yesterday as the Pirates clipped Bellmore JFK, 3-2.
In a game dominated by good pitching and sound defense, it was a seventh inning homerun by Kennedy's Matt Bruno that changed the complexion of the whole contest.
"We were just thinking we just have to hold them any way we can," Mepham catcher J.C. Brandmaier said.
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The blast was a no doubt bomb to center field that tied the score at 2-2 and gave the visiting Cougars a chance to pull out the victory.
The homerun chased Mepham pitcher Tom Pisano who all but had it wrapped up before that one errant pitch.
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"He did a great job," Brandmaier said of his pitcher. Pisano finished pitching six innings and gave up two runs in the victory.
The inning would have continued if not for exceptional play of Brandmaier, who threw out two consecutive runners at second, one on a delayed steal and the other caught between bases following a passed ball.
"It was a major base runner mistake in the bottom of the seventh that was the turning point," Kennedy coach Eric Passman.
Brandmaier said, "I was just trying to find it and fire it because I knew I had a chance."
Pitching well for the Cougars was Robbie Stalzer. Stalzer was in control in almost ever situation.
"He was outstanding, he got ahead of every hitter," Passman said. Stalzer finished pitching 7 and two-thirds innings with only 92 total pitches in the loss.
With both teams bearing down the game extended to the bottom of the eighth. With runners at first and second for Mepham, Marshall stepped to the plate.
With a quick cut and vigorous clang, the ball came off the bat and the fans at Mepham were out of their seats. The game winning stroke was a rip up the middle that left the JFK outfield in quicksand.
"That's just good baseball right there," Brandmaier said.
With both teams fighting for a playoff spot in the same league, they know how important it is to win ever league game possible. Kennedy beat Mepham 4-2 on Tuesday.
"We just got beat by a good hitter," Passman said of Marshall.
Both teams head back to the diamond tomorrow. The Cougars host MacArthur at 4:45 p.m. and the Pirates travel to take on Baldwin at 4:30 p.m.
