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Six-Run Second Inning Leads Plainview JFK to Senior Day victory

by Anthony DiCocco

With contributions from up and down their lineup, the Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK Hawks cruised to a blowout, Conference AAA-1 win to honor their graduating class on Senior Day.

After being run-ruled 12-2 this past Monday on the road, the Hawks gave the Port Washington Vikings a taste of their own medicine while back home at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School. On Tuesday, Plainview JFK erupted for six runs in the second inning, leading it to a 10-3 rout as it celebrated its seniors with a bang to even the three-game series at one game apiece.

Ryan Paradiso started the game by working around a pair of baserunners in the top of the first inning, before helping himself by driving in the game’s opening run in the home half of the frame.

Once the Hawks took their early 1-0 lead, they poured it on in the second inning. The bottom of Plainview JFK’s order loaded the bases for Aaron Traub at the top, who dumped a run-scoring single off Koki Maezawa into left field. 

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During the ensuing at-bat, Brett LaGallo kept the line moving by yanking a single through a hole on the right side of the diamond to plate another run. From there, Michael Mijuca stepped up to the plate and narrowly missed a grand slam, as he ripped a two-run double off the netting in the left-center field gap to make it 5-0.

Two batters later, Evan Frangas made sure to cash in both of the runners still standing in scoring position with a two-out single to tally a pair of runs batted in (RBI).

As the Hawks posted a crooked number on the scoreboard, Paradiso held up his end of the bargain on the mound. Through his first 4 ⅓ innings, the right-hander struck out eight Vikings while navigating out of a bases-loaded jam in fourth, before finally stumbling an inning later.

With Plainview JFK ahead 8-0 following a Frangas sacrifice fly, Jake Wilber broke Paradio’s shutout bid in the fifth stanza with a no-doubt solo shot. Paradiso was pulled after walking the next batter for Dylan Sciarillo, who eventually issued a free pass to set the stage for Leo Schindler to blast a long, two-RBI double over the center fielder’s head to make it 8-3. 

Nevertheless, the Hawks responded during the bottom of the frame to make sure Port Washington did not get back into the game. With the Vikings’ infielders in due to a Hawks runner occupying third base, Traub pounded a high chopper into the dirt right in front of home plate that found its way over their heads for his second RBI of the day.

In the following frame, Ryan Healy added a run-scoring single, before Joey Ruziecki, who recorded two punch outs over two scoreless frames, closed things out.

Mijuca went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI double and a run scored. Frangas had a nice day as well, going 1-for-3 with three RBIs, while Traub went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

LaGallo reached base three times, going 2-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run. Healy drove in a run and scored one while going 2-for-3 from the eight hole. Paradiso drove in a run and walked once.

Wilber went 2-for-4 with a base hit and a bomb from the leadoff spot, while Schindler’s two-run two-bagger was his lone hit on the day.

With the win, the Hawks solidified their spot as the three seed in the Conference AAA-1 playoffs while improving their record to 10-7 in league play and 11-8 overall. The Vikings fell to 6-9-1 overall and 4-9-1 in conference action.

The two sides will lock horns back in Port Washington for the rubber match of their series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. once again.