by Trevor Dugan
Commack strikes for three in the bottom of the third, two scoring on this RBI single by junior LF Luke Krzemienski
Commack 3 – Connetquot 0
End third pic.twitter.com/OTOzxCPZOy— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 4, 2026
In Game 1 of a pivotal three-game series, Commack defeated Connetquot by a score of 4-2 Monday to clinch a playoff berth and move to within one game of first place in Suffolk League II.
With the victory, Commack stretched their win streak to eight straight games, improving to 10-3 in league play.
Each team recognized the significance of this week’s series entering Monday’s matchup, both for playoff seeding and bragging rights’ sake. With a chance to inch closer to a league title against rival Connetquot, junior Sam Kay pitched a gem for Commack, allowing just one run over six innings while striking out five to earn the win on the mound.
“We knew we were playing a good team today, but we have a lot of confidence going into any game,” Kay said after the win. “We clinched the playoffs today, now we want to go win the league, but we’re still taking it one game at a time.”
Starting opposite Kay for Connetquot was senior right-hander DJ Filippone. The Mercy University commit matched Kay with six innings pitched, working his way out of some tough jams in the process, but allowed four runs and took the loss as Kay outdueled him for the second place Cougars.
Commack struck first after a scoreless first two innings, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third. Junior left fielder Luke Krzemienski drove in the Cougars’ first two runs with an RBI single through the right side of the infield.
Krzemienski finished 2-for-3 with two RBI. The junior is the latest in a line of talented brothers to play for Commack and head coach Matt Salmon. 2019 graduate Jake Krzemienski went on to play Division I baseball at Boston College, while 2024 graduate Ryan Krzemienski is currently playing at SUNY Oneonta.
“We’ve had a Krzemienski on this team since 2017,” Salmon said. “I love the family, but Luke is earning playing time on his own… I’ve had a good run of Krzemienskis and I’m hoping Luke can keep it going.”
Commack stretched their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore catcher Robbie Mascia smashed a solo home run over the center field wall. Despite this being Mascia’s second year of high school, it is his third season as a member of Commack’s varsity squad.
“Robbie’s been on varsity since eighth grade, and we talk every inning about what pitches are working and reading hitters’ swings,” Salmon explained. “It’s a great thing to have a smart, hard-working player back there at one of the most important positions.”
Connetquot finally got to Kay in the top of the sixth inning, when senior left fielder Chris Steeneck led off the inning with a solo home run to cut Commack’s lead to 4-1. Kay avoided any further damage in the frame, and left the game in line to receive a victory.
Krzemienski relieved Kay in the top of the seventh for the save opportunity. He surrendered one run on an RBI double by senior shortstop Jagger Adamo, but recorded the final out to finish off a hard fought win and punch Commack’s ticket to the playoffs.
Connetquot falls to 11-2 with the loss and holds a narrow one game lead over 10-3 Commack for first place in League II entering Game 2 of their series at Connetquot high school Thursday.
Despite defeating first place Connetquot and clinching a playoff berth, coach Salmon says it doesn’t affect his Cougars’ confidence.
“Clinching playoffs is always the goal, right?” Salmon said. “Confidence is something that happens throughout the season, it doesn’t matter who we play or who we beat. We’re focused on what we have to do, and our confidence comes from within. So for today, we’ll be happy we made the playoffs.”