Central Valley. Crusaders see the ball. The Crusaders hit the ball. And they did so a lot in their last three games
| 26 May 2021 | 11:26
Kyle McDermott races around third to score against Burke Catholic. Photos by William Dimmit.
Crusader Shortstop David Sawoska turns two against North Rockland.
Owen White picked up the victory against Burke Catholic.
Kavan Tuttle gets the bat on the ball against North Rockland.
The Monroe-Woodbury Varsity Baseball Team is heating up as the season enters its closing weeks.
In their three-game home stand May 19 through May 21, the Crusaders outscored their opponents 34-1 as they swept Burke Catholic 8-0, North Rockland 3-0 and James I O’Neil 23-1.
In the game with the Eagles of Burke Catholic the offense was provided by Taison Jemison with a hit, a run and 1 hit , 1 run two RBI’s, Timmy Kirpatrick with a double, a triple and two runs, and Miguel Ramos with two hits, including a double, plus three RBIs.
On the mound Owen White picked up the victory, allowing one hit and striking out two over three innings. He was followed by four relief pitchers, who allowed one hit while striking out five batters to complete the shutout victory.
On Thursday the Crusaders and the Raiders of North Rockland hooked up in a real pitchers duel with the Crusaders picking up the win. The game was scoreless until the until the bottom of the sixth when Jemison stepped to the plate and drove one over the left field wall to put the Crusaders up by one.
Next Kirpatrick singled to right. Kyle McDermott followed with a double to left. Kavan Tuttle drove in a run on a sharp single to right and Diego Jimenez drove in the other run on a fielder’s choice.
On the mound John Morehead picked up the victory in relief going four innings. Ramos started, fanning four batters across three innings.
Friday’s game was Senior Night for the Crusaders in a ceremony before the game the seniors were recognized for their contributions to the team.
The Crusaders then went out on the field and walloped the short-handed Raiders of James I. O’Neill 23-1. The offensive barrage was lead by Luke Barone with a double and a home run with 5 RBIs, Ramos with three more hits and three more RBIs and Sean Mannion with three hits, including a home run and three RBIs.
Jason Pearson picked up the win, striking out six batters in three innings of work. Ryan Avecilla came on in relief and struck out four batters across two innings.
The Crusaders’ three victories brings their record to 10-2 on the season. The team travels to Kingston on Saturday to play a double header against the Tigers.
- William Dimmit