Long Island Whalers

In game 2, Anthony Libardi, pitched a one hit, shutout for the easy win against the Big Red, a team from Madison.  Libardi mixed his two seam fastball, his curveball and a newly featured change-up to keep the Big Red bats at rest.  Kevin Podell and Lenny Martinez were the hitting stars, each going two for three with two runs batted in. 

In the semi-final round, the Whalers drew the Clarkstown Stars.  Ryan Murray, a late arrival because of a Manhasset football game, earned the start and Murray responded.  Ryan pitched a two hitter for the Whalers third consecutive shutout of the tournament.  Murray only surrendered two walks, while striking out six Stars.  Four months ago, Ryan couldn't throw a baseball.  He had some nagging arm injuries the past few months.  "It was good to see Ryan get a few quality starts under his belt, going into the winter months.  His development is back on track and he has added another dimension to our pitching staff," added Coach Kurz.  Vinny Costogliola powered the Whalers with a two run double, going two for two with a walk and a run scored.  

In the championship round, the Whalers met their best match yet in the College Point All-Stars who also came into the Championship round undefeated.  Each team had their ace pitchers on the hill.  The College Point All-Stars started a hard throwing left handed pitcher who kept the Whalers bats off-balanced all game.  The College Point team scored early to go up 2-0, but the Whalers chipped away all game with patient at-bats.  Going into the 6th inning down 5-2, the Whalers scored 4 runs to take the lead highlighted by a two-out, two-strike bases loaded single to right center field by the "comeback kid" Greg Dawber.

The game took another turn in the top of the 7th as the College Point All-Stars capitalized on some defensive mistakes by the Whalers, scoring two runs to regain the lead.  Entering the bottom of the seventh, the Whalers were down 7-6.  Bryan Purcell led the inning off with a sharp line drive up the middle.  Kevin Podell followed with a single and John LaRossa worked a walk to load the bases for clean up hitter Seth Noreman.  Noreman, responded with a line drive sacrifice fly to tie the game.  Both baserunners advanced wisely, forcing the All-Stars to intentially walk Whalers slugger Lukas Pracher.  The hot hitting Cory Blankmeyer hit a slow ground ball towards the first baseman who couldn't handle the hop.  The Whalers scored on the error to win in "walk-off" fasion!  

The tournament win was a true team effort.  Without the stellar defensive performances of sturdy backstops Max Riskin and Cory Blankmeyer the Whalers would not have won.  Riskin prevented a game tying run from scoring on a bases loaded single. Riskin hung in there to take a big hit from an approaching base runner as cannon armed Vinny Costogliola nailed a potential game tying baserunner from scoring.  Both catchers also added clutch hits throughout the weekend.  

Go Whalers!!!