The New York Nine Futures went undefeated to win the Blue Chip Summer Challenge at Baseball Heaven. In going 7-0, the Futures team had the highest run differential in the tournament, outscoring the opposition by 41 runs. Congratulations to players and coaches on their hard work and fantastic finish!
To start off the tournament, on July 22, the Future teams defeated Frozen Ropes 4-1 in seven innings. Eric Mini went 2-3 with a double in the first inning and a single in the sixth. Spencer Lodes looked sharp on the mound giving up just one hit, allowing no earned runs while punching out 5 with no walks in his 3 innings of work. Mike Papaleo got it done on the rubber on the way to a win, allowing only a single run in 4 innings.
The next day, the Futures went to Stony Brook and beat Steel Sports 7-2 in seven innings. Michael Gaitan went 1-2 with a triple in the second inning. Steel Sports had no answer for William Gilbert, who allowed a single hit in his 4 innings while striking out 3 and walking none.
July 24th came and the Futures won again. This time by a score of 8-0 against the Diamond Spikes. Tristan Sarcone had a huge day both at the plate and on the mound. He went 2-2 with 2 triples and also threw 5 innings of shutout baseball. Not a single Diamond Spike player got past 2nd base as Sarcone struck out 6 and didn’t walk a single batter.
For the Futures, July 25 was a good as they jumped out to an early lead against the Clue Crabs and never looked back, winning 12-2. The Nine Club scored 8 runs in the first 3 innings putting the game away early. Scoring 12 runs means that a lot of players will have big days and Preston Milano and Eric Mini didn’t disappoint. Milano went 2-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored while Mini went 2-3 with a double, triple and 3 RBI. Matt Hegerty threw 4 innings, struck out 6 and went 2-2 at the plate.
Sunday July 26 saw the Nine play 3 games. First of the day was a tight game into the 6th inning when Michael Mateo drove in the go ahead run in the bottom of the inning. Tristan Sarcone put the dagger into the heart of the New York Knights with a triple in the 6th that put the Nine up 4-1. Rob Rota threw a CG for the win.
In the semi-finals, the Nine exploded in the 5th inning for 9 runs leading to a 14-6 win over the Dutchess Aces. Johnny Archer had a monster game, going 3-3 with 3 doubles and 6 RBI and 3 runs scored. Michael Gaitan chipped in a home run and Eric Mini went 2-3 in the win. Robbie DeBenedictus threw a 5 inning CG.
In the Championship Game, the New York Nine and Frozen Ropes were scoreless through 3 before New York Nine scored 4 in the bottom of the 4th and then Frozen Ropes scored 3 in the top of the 5th to tie it up at 4. In the bottom of the 5th, the Futures broke the tie on an RBI single by Johnny Archer bringing home Mike Papaleo. Preston Milano also got it done with the bat, adding 2 hits and 3 RBI. On the mound, the Nine once again got a fantastic effort by Spencer Lodes, who tossed a CG and struck out 6 while only walking 2.
The New York Nine Organization couldn’t be prouder of the work and effort these athletes put in and once again congratulates all the players and coaches on their tournament win.
