Oceanside holds off Syosset

Who could blame Oceanside baseball coach Mike Postilio if he directs the team bus to Syosset instead of Mepham to begin this week’s best-of-three Nassau Class AA quarterfinal playoff series?

After exploding for a total of 30 runs in two regular-season victories at Syosset, the Sailors got the job done with pitching and defense in last Saturday’s first-round matchup. Senior Chris Hood scattered seven hits, walked one and struck out four in a 2-0 shutout win preserved by sophomore Nick Vlahakis’ diving catch that ended the game with the tying run on base.

“We felt comfortable going to Syosset, but at the same time it’s really tough to beat a good team four times,” Postilio said. “Chris stepped up big. He’s been injured and missed a couple of starts, but to see him go out and battle like he did was great.”

The seventh-seeded Braves had at least one baserunner in every inning but the first, and had the tying run on base in each of the last three innings. Each time, however, Hood and the defense behind him found something extra. In the fifth, Hood fanned Syosset leadoff man Austin Buegermeister to end a threat with runners on first and second. In the sixth, after the first two batters reached, Oceanside sophomore shortstop Kyle Martin had three straight putouts. And in the seventh, with first and third and two outs, Vlahakis made for a thrilling finish when he left his feet to grab Derek Spillane’s poke to center. 

“Nick came charging hard and the ball held up just enough for him to dive and get it,” Postilio said. “What a way to end it. He’s been excellent out there.”

Oceanside (10-8-1 overall), the No. 10 seed, gave Hood all the run support he’d need in the top of the second inning against Syosset pitcher Jonathan Doyle. Martin hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a flyout, and scored on a wild pitch that also allowed senior Matt Edelman to take first after a strikeout. Edelman advanced to second on a groundout and came around to score on senior Pat Broder’s single to right.

“We faced Doyle a few weeks ago,” Postilio said. “He’s a crafty lefty and a smart pitcher. We told the guys to go the other way with certain pitches. Broder did just that. He fouled off a bunch and then drove the outside pitch to right.”

The Sailors were knocking on the door for more in the third, after Vlahakis and senior Brian Boschert singled, and junior John Condon was hit by a pitch, but Doyle worked out of the bases-loaded, no-out jam with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout. “Luckily that didn’t come back to hurt us,” Postilio said.

Next up for Oceanside is top-seeded Mepham, the Conference AA-III champs with a 15-2 mark. Postilio likes the idea senior pitchers Jake Santamaria, Tom Pallatto, and Hood are all coming off gems. “If they’re at their best, we’ll be right there,” Postilio said.