The New York Nine Future 15s played in two tournaments recently, reaching the quarterfinals at the Premier Freshman Championships in Farmers Branch, Texas and winning Blue Chip Prospect Tournament at Baseball Heaven. Congratulations to players and coaches on their hard work and fantastic finishes!
To start off the Premier Freshman Championships, the New York Nine Future 15s defeated the Amarillo Titans 3-1. Danny Lotito scattered 5 hits and did not surrender an earned run in a very well pitched game. Lotito also went 2-3 at the plate.
Next up for the Nine was a game against the Austin Wings. The team battled but lost an extra-inning heartbreaker by the score of 4-3. Mike Popaleo pitched a fantastic game and only allowed a single run to score. Aaron Sabato and CJ McCarthy each had two hits and an RBI in the loss.
New York Nine then beat the Arlington A’s 6-3. Danny Giangrande threw 5.2 innings in relief to help the team win the game. Danny Lotito and Chris Corrado each had 2 hits. With the win, the Future 15s qualified for the Championship Round.
In the Championship Pool, the Nine beat the St. Louis Rawlings Prospects 4-1. Jack Ryan limited St. Louis to 2 hits and 0 earned runs in the complete game effort. Chris Corrado was 2-3 with an RBI and 2 stolen bases and Henry Davis’s base-clearing double in the 6th inning sealed the victory.
Next up was the #6 seed, Midwest Nationals. Andrew Gurgitano did not surrender an earned run, allowing four hits in a 5-1 victory. At the plate, Danny Lotito went 2-3 with 2 RBI.
In the final Championship Pool game, the Nine lost 7-4 to West Texas ABA. 9 walks were too much to overcome. West Texas ABA scored six runs in the first inning on four hits and three walks and never looked back. Fortunately, the New York Nine had already won their Pool and qualified for the quarterfinals going into the game against West Texas ABA.
In the quarterfinal, the Nine was shut down by the Building Champions Baseball and lost by the score of 8-0.
To start off the Blue Chip Prospect Tournament at Baseball Heaven, Tyler Mandel was 3-3 with 4 RBI in a 10-7 win over the East Coast Eagles (MA). Danny Lotito gave up 1 run and had 7 strikeouts in 4 innings of work.
Next up was a win vs Garden City, 3-0. Andy Francella gave up 1 hit with 7 strikeouts in six innings of work. Aaron Sabato was 2-3 on the day.
Future 15s then lost 3-2 to Babylon Pride. The Nine were held to 4 hits in the 3-2 loss. Andrew Gurgitano surrendered 4 hits while striking out 5 in the complete game effort.
New York Nine played Diamond Buddies. Jack Ryan recorded 8 strikeouts over 6 innings of work in the 7-5 victory. Aaron Sabato went 2-3 with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.
In the semifinal game, New York Nine defeated LI Titans-Blue 3-1. Cameron Johnson went the distance, allowing only 2 hits.
Aggressive base running with timely hitting by Aaron Sabato and Tyler Mandel secured the victory and a spot in the championship game.
In the championship game, Danny Lotito surrendered one hit in a complete game shutout over the Long Island Titans-Gold. CJ McCarthy doubles in both the 5th and the 7th innings – along with Aaron Sabato’s 2 run double in the sixth – put the game out of reach and clinched the tournament for the Nine Check Out Your URL.