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Bryant’s run cut short

Bryant’s run cut short
By Marc Raimondi

Time ran out for the Bryant baseball team literally.

The Owls were down, 11-9, in the fifth inning to Bayard Rustin in the semifinals of the Monroe Tournament April 23 when umpires called the game. No there wasn't any rain or darkness. The game had reached the two-hour-and-15-minute time limit. Bryant was hit with the loss and elimination.

“We could have had a chance to win that game,” Owls coach Rocco Rotondi said. “If that game goes seven innings, who knows what could have happened?”

The Monroe Tournament, now in its 39th year as one of the premier spring-break baseball tournament in New York City, expanded to 28 teams this season and in order to fit all the game in, a time limit was set.

Bryant was the unfortunate victim, but Rotondi wasn't too upset with the outcome. The Owls went 4-2 over the week long tournament. They beat Beacon, Susan Wagner, Murry Bergtraum and Taft before falling, 3-0, to eventual champion and tournament host Monroe in the winner's bracket.

Bryant and Monroe were in a scoreless tie in the fifth inning of that game when the Owls threatened. But a successful pick-off and a failed squeeze play after a triple caused them to come up empty. To make matters worse, in the next inning starting left fielder and middle-of-the-order hitter John Ntzelves broke his thumb trying to make a diving catch. Monroe went on to score three runs and Ntzelves is out six weeks.

“We had them against the ropes,” Rotondi said of the Monroe game.

The coach was most impressed with his three best pitchers, senior Darnell Perez, junior Kenny Beltran and sophomore Dennis Strawsacker, whom Rotondi said is “developing into my eventual No. 1 guy.”

“They were pitching everyday,” Rotondi said. “They pitched their hearts out every game.”

In the batter's box, junior shortstop Jose Rosado continued his torrid hitting and junior catcher Mostafa Ghonim and sophomore first baseman Wily Garcia stepped up big. Beltran and Strawsacker were both successful with the bat, as well.

The Monroe Tournament accomplished exactly what the team hoped to accomplish. The Owls proved they could go toe-to-toe with the best PSAL teams in the city. Rotondi has his sights set on a division title.

“I'm happy, because the kids don't seem intimidated anymore,” the coach said. “The truly feel like when they play their best, they can compete with anybody.”

Spring break is over now and the league season continues this week. Bryant's game against Adams was rained out Monday, but the two teams were scheduled to play again Wednesday. Then the Owls, who are 8-1 in Queens West A and second place behind Grand Street Campus, take on Francis Lewis Friday, and Grand Street twice next week.

“They know what the task is at hand, they know what they have to do to gain respect and that means winning the division,” Rotondi said. “This is the year I feel like we have the best opportunity to do it.”

Reach Associate Sports Editor Marc Raimondi by e-mail at mraimondi@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.