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B1 Ghost (Andersen) 16U Capitalizes on Mistakes, Cruises to 8-2 Victory

by Ryan Manno

A disciplined performance at the plate paired with aggressive base running propelled B1 Ghost (Andersen) 16U to a commanding 8-2 win over Beast 2028 on Saturday.

B1 Ghost combined a steady, inning by inning offensive surge with stellar pitching to control the game from the opening pitch. Along the way, the squad took full advantage of defensive miscues and a total of six walks to keep Beast on the defensive throughout the afternoon.

B1 Ghost wasted no time establishing control in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Nick Vitellaro singled. The offense then capitalized on a critical fielding error by Beast 2028, which allowed Vitellaro to score. Asher Beatus followed with an RBI single to right field, driving in a run to jump B1 Ghost out to a quick 2-0 advantage. In the bottom half of the frame, B1 Ghost starting pitcher Caden Cheung set the tone for his outing by retiring the side without damage.

The pressure mounted in the top of the second inning as B1 Ghost relied on aggressive execution to extend their lead. With a runner in scoring position, a wild pitch by Beast allowed B1 Ghost to cross the plate yet again, stretching the lead to 3-0. Team Beast managed to spark an answer in the bottom of the second, manufactured by an RBI groundout from Devin Massa that brought home Aaron Chang to cut the deficit to 3-1.

B1 Ghost quickly answered right back in the top of the third inning. Facing a full count with runners on, Yosuel Abreu delivered a clutch, two out RBI single into right field to push the score to 4-1. Cheung continued to dominate in the bottom half of the frame, keeping Team Beast’s hitters off balance with his pitch mix to prevent any further momentum.

The top of the fourth inning proved to be the decisive frame of the ballgame. B1 Ghost exploded for four runs, breaking the game wide open. The rally was fueled by a combination of patience and aggressive execution at the plate, as B1 Ghost worked deep counts to draw free passes while completely disrupting Team Beast’s defensive rhythm on the base paths. By the time the third out was recorded, the B1 Ghost lead had ballooned to 8-1. This 7 run lead was thanks to an RBI single by Vitellaro, 2 RBI single by Brady Ahern and a sacrifice fly by Robert Ingersoll.

From the fifth inning onward, the game transformed into a classic pitchers’ duel. Beast turned to their bullpen, where Brandon Rosen stabilized the defense by tossing two scoreless, one hit innings. Simultaneously, Cheung kept cruising for B1 Ghost, executing his pitches to complete six strong innings while scattering five hits, striking out five, and allowing just one earned run.

In the bottom of the seventh, B1 Ghost turned to reliever Preston Trupia to close out the contest. Team Beast managed to scratch across one final run, as Aaron Chang hit an RBI groundout making it 8-2. However, Trupia quickly slammed the door, retiring the final batters without surrendering a hit to secure the definitive victory.

Nick Vitellaro was an offensive spark from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Brady Ahern anchored the top of the order right behind him, also finishing 2-for-4 with a run scored and a team high two RBIs. For Beast, Brandon Rosen delivered a strong all around game, picking up two hits at the plate alongside his two shutout frames on the mound, while Kayden Callaghan finished a productive day going 2-for-3.

Preston Trupia and Lucas Herrera paced the running game by swiping multiple bags, while Robert Ingersoll and Ryan Schoenfeld also recorded stolen bases to keep the pressure turned up until the final out.

With this definitive victory in the books, B1 Ghost (Andersen) 16U will look to carry this momentum forward into their next matchup against the Bethpage Eagles 16U on Sunday. Beast 2028 will look to bounce back quickly as they travel to play West Islip for their upcoming Sunday contest.