VSS gets into playoff picture

Putting up double digits on the scoreboard is usually an easy way to get into the win column and that’s been a popular formula for Valley Stream South’s baseball team so far this spring.

The Falcons are 5-0 when scoring at least 10 runs and did so in each game of their three-game series against Lawrence last week. In the process, South evened its Conference A-III record through eight games and moved into the playoff conversation with seven to go.

“We don’t have much margin for error and we needed a big week,” coach Ken Ward said. “We still have a lot of work to do with Floral Park and Lynbrook remaining on the schedule along with a big make-up game against [Valley Stream] North. Floral Park is vastly improved and Lynbrook’s in the driver’s seat to win the conference.”

Senior catcher Luis Dono, last year’s conference MVP and an All-County selection, got his bat cranking against the Golden Tornadoes to lead South’s sweep. He went 7-for-10 and drove in eight runs in the series, including four apiece in the opening and closing games. He also went 2-for-2 and drove in three runs in the Falcons’ lone victory against North Shore the previous week. After hitting .471 last spring, Dono stands at .533 with 19 RBIs heading into this week’s series against Floral Park.

“He’s just a real good ballplayer,” Ward said of Dono, who is also contributing on the mound once again as the team’s late-inning flamethrower. “He’s a student of the game and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to be successful.”

One of Dono’s hits in the series finale went for a home run, and he was a double shy of the cycle. Junior Jake Crowley hit a two-run blast in the sixth and senior Chris Hess had three hits and two RBIs to help back the pitching effort of junior Eddie Guzman. The top arm for South’s JV squad in 2016, Guzman tossed five scoreless innings and fanned six for his second varsity win. His other victory came April 8 when he struck out seven in six scoreless innings in a 4-0 triumph over Unatego at Cooperstown.

Junior Matt Doncell pitched a gem against Lawrence, twirling a one-hitter in a 10-0 win in the middle game of the series on April 18. He struck out nine and walked one, and junior shortstop Nick Hernandez provided some offensive support with a couple of hits, two runs and one RBI.

Junior Chris Peralta did it all for the Falcons (6-5 overall) in the series opener a day earlier, knocking in four runs and picking up the win on the mound. It was Peralta’s third win in four starts. He beat non-league opponent Malverne in the March 29 season opener and was also on the bump for the first conference win, 10-0 over North Shore on April 10.

The Falcons will play a makeup game against Valley Stream North at home on May 8 at 4:30 p.m. “That could be a big one,” Ward said.