by Max Edelman
FINAL: St Dom’s 1 – Kellenberg 0
Luke Lang wins the pitchers duel, recording 11 strikeouts across six innings of work, as St Dom’s picks up a big win over Kellenberg on the road. pic.twitter.com/6PeR4I4M8i
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 29, 2025
Every once in a while you have a hyped up matchup between two of the best pitchers in a league, but rarely does it deliver like it did today. Kellenberg’s Jack Durso and Saint Dominic’s Luke Lang more than lived up to the hype, as the St. Dom’s Bayhawks narrowly defeated the Kellenberg Firebirds 1-0 in a pitching duel that will be remembered.
The winning pitcher, Luke Lang, who is committed to play at Iona University, pitched one of the best games of his season, even to his extremely high standards. Lang tossed six innings, struck out 11, walked two and gave up four hits.
“The fastball was on today.” Lang said. “I felt the adrenaline carry me through the whole game. Having a great battle with Durso on the other side kept me going throughout the entire game.”
On the mound for the home team, Durso, who will be attending the University of Miami, shined in defeat. Durso pitched all seven innings for the Firebirds, striking out 12 and walking four. Durso allowed only four hits, but the one run came on a string of misfortune for the future Hurricane.
The Bayhawks strike first!
A single through the left side by Dominic Muccia gives St. Dom’s a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth. pic.twitter.com/5vslNA1kOw
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 29, 2025
In the top of the fifth inning, St. Dom’s right fielder Nick Vitale drew an inning opening walk, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Scarry. One batter later, Dominic Muccia drove in what would be the only score of the game on an RBI single, which brought Vitale home.
While Kellenberg was held off the score sheet, they weren’t short of chances, as the Firebirds left seven men on in the loss. Their biggest missed opportunity came in the sixth inning. After reaching first on a dropped third strike, Lucas Vamvaketis stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. However, a Jason Valdez grounder to third caught Vamvaketis in an awkward in between spot, which allowed Bayhawks third baseman Cristian Moreno to make a diving tag at third to just beat Vamvaketis back to the bag.
Only four hits were recorded by the Firebirds in the contest, they came off the bats of Valdez, Durso, Owen Bory and Andrew Noe. The Bayhawks recorded five hits in the contest. Two came off the bat of Daniel Noebel, while Muccia, Scarry and Christos Vangelatos each recorded one hit each. Connor Ackerman came in for the save in the seventh for St. Dom’s, and was able to nail down a three out save.
The two teams will continue their series on Wednesday April 30, when the series shifts to St. Dom’s.
