Mules earn respect on diamond

In years past, opponents may have taken Malverne lightly on the baseball diamond. But the Mules have been a team to be reckoned with in 2012. While the team’s record won’t raise any eyebrows, they’re hard-nosed, enthusiastic brand of baseball has left conference opponents impressed.

The Mules stand at 4-10 in Conference BC-I as they enter the final week of the season, but wins and losses really don’t tell the story of the team’s march toward respectability. Malverne wraps up the regular season with a three-game series with Locust Valley before the opening round of the Nassau Class B playoffs.

Tim Young, in his fourth year as Mules coach, likes the strides his program has made this season. “Since day one of this season, this team has had a different bounce in its step,” Young said. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm. We have more guys playing multiple positions than we’ve had in the past, plus there are players on the bench who are pushing for time. Opponents know that we’re no longer a pushover.”

The Mules lost two nail biters to East Rockaway to get the season started. In a 6-4 extra inning loss, starting pitcher Dom Gandolfo blasted a home run to left center as the Mules rallied back from a four-run deficit. 

The following day, the Rocks got a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull out a dramatic 11-10 victory. Scott Sabino homered for the Mules.

Sabino, a senior centerfielder and the team’s leadoff hitter, has been sterling since earning a starting position on the varsity as a freshman. The four-year starter is batting .410, and is the team’s finest defensive performer. Sabino was 5-for-8 in a two-game sweep of Friends Academy.

Jeremy Sarnataro is another player who gets the job done both at the plate and in the field. The senior catcher has been outstanding calling games while working with a young pitching staff. Sarnataro had four hits, including a home run, as the Mules swept a two-game set with Carle Place. Senior Jose Rodriguez had three hits in the final game of the series.

Senior Jordan Richard has performed consistently, hitting at a .300 clip. In an 11-9 win over Friends, Richard homered to lead off the top of the ninth to give the Mules the lead. He went 3-for-5 a triple and a pair of RBI for the day.

Gandolfo, junior Tyler Michaels, and senior Nathaniel Williamson have all given the Mules some good innings on the hill. Young believes the pitching is the key.

“There’s a huge difference when are guys are throwing strikes,” Young said. “When we’re walking two or three a game, we’re in it. Our defense has been good, but when we walk too many, it makes it too tough on the fielders. I’m definitely happy with the progress we’ve made. I see a lot of younger guys playing travel ball, and the overall baseball knowledge is increasing.”