by Max Edelman
FINAL: Oceanside 2 – Massapequa 1
An unbelievable throw by center fielder Kyle Scheurer throws out what would’ve been the tying run for the Chiefs. Pitcher Dylan Beirne pitches all seven innings, allowing only one run as the Sailors take the series over Massapequa pic.twitter.com/B2Vxh8I3qd
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 14, 2025
In rare instances, games are remembered for one play, and on a rare Monday morning showdown between the Massapequa Chiefs and the Oceanside Sailors, the game will be remembered for how it ended. Trailing 2-1 with two runners on and two outs in the top of the seventh, Chiefs pinch hitter Ryan Moore delivered what most believed to be the game tying base hit.
However, a miraculous throw by Sailors center fielder Kyle Scheurer, followed by a perfect tag by catcher Ryan Pender nailed Massapequa pinch runner Kenny Gein at the plate to end the game, and secure the 2-1 victory, and the series win for the Sailors.
“I was hoping the throw was on line there.” Sailors starting pitcher and Adelphi commit Dylan Beirne, who pitched a complete game for Oceanside said. “But I knew my boy would get it done, and I knew he had him.”
If it weren’t for the stellar pitching from Beirne, the Sailors might not have even been in a position to win in the seventh. The senior shined, recording six strikeouts to only one walk, and allowed only four hits, with the only run coming off the bat of Chiefs catcher Anthony Dinello, who’s first home run of the season came in the second inning, and gave the Chiefs an early 1-0 lead.
Opposing Beirne on the mound was senior St. John’s commit Thomas Harding. Harding pitched the first four innings of the game for Massapequa, where he struck out six, walked three and allowed two hits. Unfortunately for Harding, it was costly errors that allowed the Sailors to get back into the game, and eventually pick up the win.
After falling behind 1-0 early, Oceanside stormed back. Scheurer led off the bottom of the third with a sharp single, and was able to advance to second after taking advantage of a failed diving catch attempt. One batter later, Scheurer continued to use his speed to his advantage. On an attempt to steal third, Dinello’s throw went over the head of third baseman Robert Englehardt’s head, which allowed Scheurer to come in and score the tying run.
One inning later, it was another throwing error that proved costly for the Chiefs, as with a runner on second and two outs, freshman Mike Vlahakis sent a bouncing ground ball the way of Englehardt. However Englehardt sent the ball over first baseman Jason Romance’s head, allowing the go ahead, and eventual game winning run to cross home plate. The Chiefs would fail to find a tying run, and they would fall to Oceanside.
The Sailors next game will be against Plainview JFK on April 16.
