Baseball South

May 20, 2006. Saturday's game with East Ramapo was a makeup game for a previous rainout. It was an even tougher proposition because the Spring Valley field was soggy and it was the day after South's Senior Prom. Despite the potential obstacles, not one player looked tired and the intensity level remained high. Corey Baker and Mike Romanello combined their pitching efforts to defeat a very tough Ramapo lineup, with most of Ramapo's pyrotechnics coming from a long ball and a few well-placed hits into the outfield. South's patience at the plate and a merry-go-round of Ramapo pitchers led to a series of walks, two of which scored runs for the Vikings. Bu the critical blow was Kolinsky's opposite field hit that scored two runs. Mike Romanello struck out the side on the bottom of the seventh and there was no looking back. The final score was South 7, E. Ramapo 5.

The final game of the regular season will be Monday at 4:15PM. It is a home game against North, the team that currently occupies second place in the league.

May 18, 2006. Senior Eric Alessio pitch a complete game shutout at North yesterday afternoon, with 3 strikeouts and allowing only 7 hits and no walks. Six different South batters were responsible for 7 hits and 4 runs scored against the Rams. This win put South on top of the League. South has two more league games and North has three so the Vikings will have to stay focused to stay on top.

May 10, 2006. The game started out a little slow for both teams with E. Ramapo scoring a single run in the top of the second. The Vikings hit the ball over and over again but right into an E. Ramapo glove. Sean Lukasiewicz started for the Vikings and Andrew Distelhurst finished the game.

Then in the bottom of the 7th inning with the bases loaded and 1 out, E. Ramapo decided to make a pitching change, replacing the pitcher who had quieted the South bats for 6 innings with a new pitcher for the final two outs. After 2 pitches that were low and a low strike, Ramapo's pitcher threw a fastball to Sean Darsee that was too good to take. The ball flew off the bat, through the hole in the right side of the infield and traveled far enough to score two base runners to win the game, 2 to 1.

May 9, 2006. In the top of the first inning, Suffern scored a couple of runs, probably from a combination of pitches that had too much of the plate and a slow start on the part of the defense. The Vikings hit the ball or walked in the first inning against Suffern's #1 pitcher, but were unable to score. Then in the bottom of the second inning, the South bats came alive for 3 runs, and again in the third inning. Although Suffern was able to put two more across in the fourth inning, after the second inning, South never trailed in the game.

Dylan Kress had two doubles, Jordan Kolinsky had a double, Travis Triano went 2 for 3 with a walk, Sean Darsee went 2 for 4, and Chris Griggs, Alec Cartagena, Kevin Grogan and Scott Stampfl each had one hit to balance out the lineup. Pitching was solid between Sean Darsee, Eric Alessio and Sean Lukasiewicz, allowing only 2 earned runs, 6 hits and no walks.

May 8, 2006. Sunday's games at the Northeast Elite Tournament, featuring some of the top-ranked teams in the nation, had the following results:

May 4, 2006. Clarkstown South has had some spectacular wins this season and a handful of unexpected, disappointing losses. However, you can substitute the names of any of the other teams in the league in the first sentence: Suffern, North Rockland, E. Ramapo, or Clarkstown North and the sentence remains true. Every team has had some impressive wins and losses that don't make any sense. As of today, all five teams in League B have a win-loss record of .500. On some days, any of these teams can look like World Champions. On other days, the pitching, hitting and fielding looks like a completely different team. On one day, any given pitcher will be lights out unhittable. In another game, they may not fare so well. In one game, a batter can go 3 for 4, then 0 for 3 the next game.

Baseball is not a game that follows the usual rules of chance. In football and basketball, the odds makers make a living predicting who will win and who will lose based on statistical data. There are exceptions, to be sure, but there is a great deal more predictability in these sports than in baseball. Track is another very predictable sport. Some sprinters will run a 6.5 sec 55 meter dash over and over again - on days they feel good, and on days they feel bad. That's also why it is difficult for the really good track athletes to better their "personal bests" - there is so much consistency in track that improvements come hard.

But this is not the case in baseball. As disappointing and ugly as losing can be, particularly to teams that were beatable the last time around, in baseball, the story is never over. Never. Unlike track, players can improve their personal bests in any game. Unlike football and basketball, one team can start a streak of spectacular wins after losing 2 or 3 disappointing games in a row. Any major league player will tell you that. Look at what happens to professional teams in our back yard, the Yankees and Mets. They'll tell you that its true that baseball is a game of inches - but they'll also tell you that the pendulum can swing in a different direction with just a little more effort, with better focus, by keeping the glove on the ground a little better while fielding, by relaxing a little more at the plate and not pressing, and by thinking about making each pitch without worrying about the last pitch. Teams can still win a game against a tough opponent if they don't lose faith just because they get behind in the first inning. Many wins are the result of a team just telling themselves they will never let down no matter what happens. Players should always run out a pop fly in case the fielder drops the ball. The first baseman should always turn around like a tornado to tag the runner out, even when the throw comes a little late. The middle infielders and third basemen should make every play like it is for the championship. Outfielders should think about where they are going to throw the ball if it comes to them - and never decrease their focus.

In baseball, the definition of a champion is NOT a team that wins all of the time. Even the NY Yankees 1998 season or the Seattle Mariners 2001 season racked up a lot of disappointing losses. The definition of a champion in baseball is a team that never quits, never thinks they will lose -- trusting that the vagaries of baseball will always open the gates for you if you want it badly enough. Clarkstown South has the makings of a champion.

April 29, 2006. Clarkstown showed just how tough they can be. Carmel High School has always had a great hitting team and a formidable opponent. In 2005, South fell quickly to Carmel by getting behind several runs in the first inning. It look like deja vu all over again in 2006. Carmel's top of the lineup smacked the ball into the outfield over and over again, scoring several runs quickly to dampen the spirits of South parents and fans. But this was not the end of the story. Three pitchers worked to hold down the Carmel lineup, including Mike Romanello, and sophomores J.J. Giordano and Jordan Kolinsky. The South bats also came alive to support the pitchers with a respectable collection of hits and runs. In addition, South's defense was virtually impeccable, including a Johnny Damon-like sprint by center fielder Chris Griggs to snag down a fly ball that was destined for a double or triple. Griggs had his own way of changing destiny to end the threat. So did the sophomore pitchers who didn't allow a single run. Click any photo to magnify.

Before

After

Mike Romanello	J.J. Giordano
Taking infield before the game with Coaches Wirchansky and Michello	Scorekeeper Kevin Tulley working hard on his PhD thesis after the game

April 28, 2006. Clarkstown scored one run in the fourth inning and a security run in the top of the 7th inning to take a 2-0 win over a very tough East Ramapo team. Corey Baker pitched a masterpiece shutout, allowing only 4 hits and two base on balls. He also had 3 strikeouts. In addition to Baker's solid pitching performance, there were timely hits by six players and an all-important sac fly by Scott Stampfl in the 7th to score the second run. This was an important win for South; the team is #1 in the league and #2 in the section. The next game is at home with Carmel at 7PM on Saturday night. Click either photo to magnify.

Coach Wirchanky's interview after the win

Team picture

April 21, 2006. Mike Romanello, Sean Lukasiewicz and Corey Baker combined to take a surprise win from Suffern on South's home field. Suffern took a quick lead with some well-placed hits early in the game but Romanello held them to those two runs until he was relieved in the 5th inning by Lukasiewicz, and finally by Baker, who closed in the 7th. Two sophomores, Jordan Kolinsky and J.J. Giordano provided timely hits that evened the score and Travis Triano squeaked an infield roller past Suffern's defense to score the winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning.

South pitchers were stingy with hits

Suffern congratulates South on the win

April 20, 2006. Eric Alessio pitched all seven innings today in a stunning comeback that took everyone by surprise. In the top half of the first inning Clarkstown scored its first run - but that was the run that came across the plate for the Vikings until the top of the 7th. North Rockland came right back in the bottom of the first with two runs, score on a triple and an inside the park home run (there was no outfield fence). South got on base several other times during the game but could not get another man across the plate. Alessio pitched brilliantly and held North Rockland to their two only runs. Then in the top of the 7th inning. Clarkstown exploded for another 7 runs and Alessio closed his own game. Click any photo below for a magnified view.

April 16, 2006. On a beautiful day in Cornwall New York, Clarkstown South pulled out their heavy artillery for a Saturday afternoon game against perennial powerhouse Cornwall. The Vikings hammered out 17 runs, four of which were home runs by Dylan Kress, Alec Cartegena and Sean Darsee, and 21 hits to take a 17 to 4 win. Mike Romanello pitched 4.7 solid innings allowing only 3 hits and 2 base on balls for the win. Sean Lukasiewicz relieved Romanello to finish the game without giving up any more runs and logged 5 strikeouts along the way. In 43 total at bats, the team had 21 hits, 13 RBIs, and three doubles in addition to the four dingers. The win improved the early season record to 2-1-1 with the only loss to last year's state champions, R.C. Ketcham. Sample photos below. Click any picture for a larger view.

Mike Romanello pitched 5 solid innings	Team congratulations after home run
Alec Cartegena starts the game	Chris Griggs preparing to steal a base

JJ Giordano patrols left field

Sean Lukasiewicz before 1 of 3 walks

April 15, 2006. After an intense and successful week of Spring Training in Florida, the Clarkstown South Vikings return home to New York to resume their 2006 schedule. The next two games fall one after the other with the first one being with Cornwall on Saturday at 2PM at the Cornwall Little League complex (click for directions) and the second with Ossining on Monday at 4:30 at Clarkstown South. Note that the game with Cornwall is NOT at the high school but at the little league complex shown below.

Cornwall High School is a public school in Orange Country with an enrollment of about 1044 students. They have traditionally fielded a highly competitive team and will be a formidable opponent in 2006. One of their recent games was a 13-11 loss to Newburgh Free Academy in the Project Liberty tournament at Delano-Hitch Stadium in Newburgh. In a non-league game, it was Cornwall over New Paltz, 3-2 . Winning pitcher Chris Hecht allowed just one hit and struck out 11 over six innings to lead Cornwall to the win. Dave Boisture and Tommy Terribile each went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Cornwall who is now 5-0 for regular season games.

Previously, Cornwall topped Sullivan West, 5 to 4. Danny Nye's suicide squeeze scored Jeff Cortland with the winning run with one out in the ninth inning of host Cornwall's non-league victory. Cortland went 3-for-4. Paul Merola knocked in two runs for Cornwall. Winning pitcher Derek Bruce allowed one earned run in 3ª innings of relief. Cornwall also had a 10 to 1 win over James I. ONeill. Winning pitcher Larry Gregorek allowed five hits and struck our four over five innings, leading host Cornwall to a non-league win. David Boisture had four hits and Chris Hecht added two hits and three RBI. Billy Lee had a hit and drove in the run for O'Neill.

The Clarkstown South Baseball Team will be traveling to the Disney Sports Complex in Orlando Florida on April 8th to play a series of pre-season scrimmage games. The opponents will be some of the most competitive teams available, including the 2005 state championship team. Although most of the time will be spent on skills, practicing fielding and batting, having bullpen sessions, and playing games, there will be time off to go to Disney World. more...

discussion about whether the ball was fair or foul, two runs were counted and the game was tied. That's where it stayed the rest of the game. The other coach and team were cordial hosts and the game attitude was one of friendly competition that hopefully helped both teams to get a good start on their seasons.

rosters with photos for all teams, up-to-date playing schedules and information about practices.

A brand new feature will allow each Varsity player to have his own Web page with photo, stats, newspaper stories and any items that he wants prospective college coaches to see. This will be password protected so the player himself determines who has access to his page. In addition, the Web site will provide: (1) Information about the major tournament that will be sponsored by Clarkstown South, (2) Photos from every game, (3) Current and past newsletter full of useful information, (4) A page for baseball players in middle school and elementary school to sign up for information about clinics, tryouts and local games they can attend