The New York Nine Futures captured the North East Collegiate crown after a grueling 6 games in 3 day stretch. On Friday, June 25, the Futures coughed up a late game lead en route to a 6-6 tie with the Westchester A’s. In game 2, the New York Nine entered the bottom of the 7th down by one run. Ryan Popp quickly led off with a triple, and Jon Michael Dolgetta singled him home on a ground ball to left field. Robert Donis was inserted as a pinch runner for Dolgetta immediately before Ted Sabato, Jr. laced a double into the left centerfield gap, ending the game for the Futures in dramatic, walk-off fashion.
On Saturday, Robert Donis fired a 3-hit shutout against the Brooklyn Bonnies in a game that saw the Futures dominate. Connor Redahan, Justin Tavaras, Jon Michael Dolgetta, and Randy Ramirez all paced the offense with 2 hits apiece.

Sunday’s quarterfinal game was a rematch between the Westchester A’s and the Futures. Starting pitcher Chandler Brierley fanned 6 while allowing only 1 hit in a 4 inning run-rule shortened game. Chris Pichardo led the offense with 3 hits while 8 different players crossed the plate for the Nine.

In the semi-final vs the #2 seed, the Connecticut Capitals, starting pitcher Jake Hertz gave the Nine a gutsy complete game. The offense was provided by Ted Sabato’s 2 hits, one of which was a triple, and 2 RBI; while Ryan Popp scored 2 runs.

The championship game pitted the Futures against the #1 seeded South Troy Dodgers. The game was a scoreless battle heading into the 4th inning, when the Futures busted out for 5 runs and took advantage of some key miscues by the Dodgers. Leandy Castro led off the inning with a single, which was quickly followed by a Randy Ramirez triple and Ryan Popp double. This was all the offense the Nine needed because Trevor Johnson only gave up 1 run while striking out 4 in a complete game to secure the championship.

The weekend proved to be a stellar one for the New York Nine organization, with the Future 15s performing admirably and earning a berth in the playoffs, where they defeated the Connecticut Blue Jays by the score of 4-2 behind a complete game by Danny Giangrande. In the semis, Danny Lotito kept the Future 15s within striking distance before ultimately falling by the score of 4-1.