BASEBALL
John Glenn Sweeps Babylon
John Glenn’s young team rebounds from poor 2007 season into leader

In the fourth league series of the year, the John Glenn varsity baseball team was set to go against last year’s Class B State Champions Babylon High School. Babylon, though off to slow starts, had the same pitching rotation returning from last year’s championship team.

In game one of the series, Glenn ace Mike Massa was set to battle Babylon’s No. 1 hurler Willy Rivas, who is a two All-County selection. Once again, Massa came through with the goods pitching a complete game for the win. Massa allowed only 2 hits, 1 unearned run and struck out 9. In the bottom of the third inning, Frank LaMacchia hit a fielder’s choice for an RBI, which gave the Knights a 1-0 lead. The Knights would later add 2 runs on Babylon errors.

The big key to the game was the Knights picked off two runners in key spots.
“When ever you face a tough team the little things mean a lot,” said head coach Stephen Robins. “As a team we work hard on our pickoff plays and today it played a pivotal role in the win.”

In game two of the series, the Knights defeated Babylon 11-8. Glenn had four players with 2 hits including Ricky Torns, Massa, Mike Mulvihill and Brian Gordon while Greg Manas added 3 hits. Mulvihill was the offensive star of the game also adding 2 sacrifice flies and 4 RBI. Ryan Holt and LaMacchia all added clutch RBI hits to help the Knights offense, which scored in every inning except the sixth.

LaMacchia pitched strong five innings for the win allowing only 4 hits and 2 earned runs. LaMacchia is now 3-1 with a 2 ERA. Strong defense was played by Stephen Gosman, Timmy Caputo, Holt , Manas, Massa and Peter Flanagan.

“It was a huge win for us,” explained Robbins. “When you have a big win like we did in game one you always worry about a let down but today we really came out ready to play. The bats were alive from the first inning on and they never took an inning off.”

In game three of the series, it was more of the same from the offense beating Babylon 10-4. In the top of the fifth inning with Glenn ahead 3-2, the offense exploded for 7 runs lead by RBI singles from LaMacchia, Caputo and a 3 run double by Massa. On the day Massa was 3 -4 with 4 RBIs. Manas, Gordon, Holt and LaMacchia all added 2 hits a piece.

On the mound Eric Moskowitz started the game and gave the Knights three strong innings and was then followed by freshman Logan Allen, who pitched 3 scoreless innings in relief for his first varsity win. Thomas Plumitallo came in and pitched a solid seventh inning to close the game striking out 2.

Once again, the defense was superb led by strong infield play especially from senior third baseman Gosman.

“A key to our success has been strong defense and Gosman has been outstanding at third base,” said Robbins.

The Knights are now 10-2 in league (12-4) and are in first place.

“We are not worried so much about our record we just want to keep playing good baseball and taking one game at a time and not look ahead,” Robbins explained. “If we continue to play John Glenn baseball the wins will take care of themselves”.

The Knights play home May 10 at 10 a.m. against South Hampton.