By The TimesLedger
The Hunan Cafe Astros defeated Ralph's Ices Mets two games to one to win the Glen Oaks Little League Major Division Championship. In what was a great rivalry all year, the championship series lived up to expectations.
The Astros won game No. 1, 6-1, but in game No. 2, the Mets showed why they were 14-2 and the regular season champs. They jumped on starter Jonathan Hyatt in the first inning, scoring four times. Jonathan Kruczowy walked and was singled to third by Brian Biscotti. Kevin Salcedo was next up for the Mets and delivered with a three-run homer. Ray Potestio then tripled and scored on Anthony Civitano’s single.
The Astros came right back in their half of the first, scoring three runs. Jonathan Dupuy continued his hot hitting by leading off with a home run to left field. Jeremy Hausdorf doubled and scored on Steven Figueroa’s two-run homer. In the top off the third inning, Brian Biscotti led off with a triple and scored when Kevin Salcedo also tripled. Salcedo scored the Mets’ sixth run when he scored on Ray Potestio’s sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the third inning, Steven Figueroa hit his second homer of the game, making the score 6-4 in favor of the Mets at the end of three. In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Astros tied the score at 6-6 by scoring twice.
The game continued tied and eventually went to extra innings. In the top of the seventh, Arnab Mitra was batting for the Mets when he was hit by a pitch. Alex Delgado followed with a walk and both runners moved up on Brian Louie’s ground out. Jonathan Kruczowy came to the plate with two outs and delivered his biggest hit of the season, a single up the middle scoring both runners. Kruczowy then scored n Brian Biscotti’s single.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Astros refused to go quietly. Steven Figueroa singled, but was forced out at second base. Michael Costanzo walked to make it first and second with one out and the tying run at the plate. Both runners stole on the first pitch before Brian Biscotti got Brandon Ramnarain to ground back to the mound and struck out Eric. The Mets held on to win 9-7 and force a deciding third game.
In game No. 3, Jeremy Hausdorf pitched against Ray Potestio. In the top of the first, Jonathan Hyatt doubled for the Astros and scored on Jeremy’s triple. In the bottom of the second, the Mets took the lead 2-1 on doubles by Anthony Civitano and Dan Quinlan and a single by Brian Louie. Jeremy then settled down and the Mets were not to score again. In the third inning, Jonathan Hyatt singled and Jay Hausdorf hit a two run homer to give the Astros a 3- 2 lead. In the fifth, the Astros added an insurance run on Jonathan Hyatt’s solo home run. The final score was 4 -2, as the Astros claimed the championship.
Major Division all-stars shine
On Saturday, June 29, the Major Division held its annual All-Star Game. The Gold team defeated the Blue team, 9-5. Anthony Civitano and Kevin Salcedo were named the MVPs of the game. Some of the other highlights included Brain Biscotti robbing Ryan Paroulek of at least a double on leaping catch in left. Brain also had two singles, Jeremy Hausdorf had a double and an RBI, Shawn Abraham had a single and scored once, Jonathan Dupuy singled and scored, Jonathan Hyatt had two doubles, Joey Bobrow singled and had two stolen bases, Adam Alcamo made two excellent defensive plays while at second base and had a sure single stolen from him on a super play by Michael Costanzo.
