East Rockaway in title hunt

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A season removed from a trip to the state semifinals, expectations were sky high for East Rockaway when the high school baseball season got underway in 2019. The Rocks returned all but one player and had their entire pitching staff back.

After playing very well against solid non-conference foes, East Rockaway opened its league schedule with six consecutive victories before dropping a 5-4 decision to Cold Spring Harbor. However, the Rocks rebounded and won the final two games of the series to take over sole possession of first place in Conference B.

In the series finale, senior Dan Del Valle went 3-for-4 with a double, three stolen bases, two runs scored, and a pair of RBI to lead the visiting Rocks to a 12-6 win. Pitching in relief of winner Chris Perri, senior Bryan Morgenthaler allowed just one earned run over the final three innings. East Rockaway improved to 9-3 (8-1 in league play). The Rocks are seeking their first league championship since 1971.

“Winning back-to-back games on the road, after dropping the first game of the series told a lot about the mental toughness of the team,” coach James Hickey said. “There was no panic after the loss. We bounced back nicely, and played with a lot of confidence.”

The team’s intestinal fortitude was on display in the middle game of the series, a 14-12 victory. After falling behind 4-0, the orange-and-black scored seven times in the top of the fourth to take the lead, but saw the Seahawks rally back to tie the game on two occasions.

The Rocks scored five in the top of the seventh to break a 9-9 tie, but still needed a diving stop at second base by Morgenthaler with the bases loaded and two outs to preserve the win. Morgenthaler went 2-for-3, had four RBI, and stole three bases. Del Valle homered and earned the victory.

A week earlier, East Rockaway showed its versatility in a three-game sweep of Wheatley. The Rocks scored early and often to take the opener 13-1. Aidan O’Connor struck out nine batters over five innings, and fellow junior Chris Perri hit a two-run homer in the top of the first.

The bats were somewhat quiet the next afternoon, but senior Stefan Cilluffo threw a gem to give the Rocks a 3-0 win. Cilluffo went the distance and fanned 11 batters. Morgenthaler went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases.

Cilluffo had four hits and three RBI to lead the way in a 12-5 rout in the series finale. Perri struck out seven to earn the win and secure the sweep.

East Rockaway’s defense has been suburb. Junior catcher Matt Perri, outfielders Del Valle, Chris Perri, and Dylan Henshaw, and utilityman Kyle Barth have shined in the field.

“We have to play consistent baseball,” Hickey said. “We can’t take any innings off or give away at bats. We’re getting better each week. We’re used to peaking at this time of the year.”

The Rocks host Malverne on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.