Maybe we can chalk it up to early season jitters, or perhaps temperatures that seem to drop by the minute, but the game that I saw today between Panas and John Jay was not pretty baseball. In a sloppy affair, the Panthers pulled out a dramatic 6-5 win in eight innings on Thursday, showing some grit to rally back from a 5-0 deficit and force extra innings. From there, John Anton led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk and created havoc on the base paths. He stole second base and the errant throw sailed into center field, which allowed him to advance to third. Another wild throw from center to third sent Anton home to give Panas a win on the first day of the season.
Ultimately, it was the Indians’ defense which cost them this game. I had John Jay with six errors, and it might have been more if I were a bit harsher. They outhit the Panthers (10 to 5) and got a stronger effort from their starter Will Jahn (5 IP, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 K, 4 H, 2 BB, 85 pitches, 52 strikes) than Panas got from Brendan Gallagher (3 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 K, 4 H, 3 BB, 57 pitches, 25 strikes). In fact, neither of John Jay’s two pitchers (Jahn and Adam Stroud) gave up an earned run.
With Gallagher struggling to throw strikes, the Indians pounced in the top of third. A single and two walks loaded the bases for O’Connor (sorry about no first name, but the roster I got from John Jay didn’t have any), who came through with a two-run single to give John Jay a 2-0 lead.
The Indians added three more runs in the top of the fifth (two of which came on an error, and the other on an RBI single from Jimmy O’Reilly), and they seemed to have a comfortable lead with Jahn picking up steam. But things began to unravel in the bottom half of the inning.
Jahn picked up two quick outs to begin the bottom of the fifth, but Tom Parish reached on an error to keep the door open for Panas. Parish stole second, and then Gallagher also reached on an error, which allowed Parish to score. Pat Rucci, who was the only Panther with a multi-hit game, came through next with the only extra base-hit of the game for either team—a long double over the rightfielder’s head. That scored Gallagher, and then Rucci eventually scored on another error to cut Panas’ deficit to 5-3. The long inning boosted Jahn’s pitch count and resulted in him being pulled going into the sixth.
The Panthers tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth thanks to more sloppy defense from John Jay. Another error on a ball hit by Tim McCauley with runners on second and third got the job done, and then McCauley took over on the mound. He had come on to start the top of the sixth and tossed three scoreless innings to give Panas a chance in extras, eventually earning the win. McCauley showed composure, coming up with a big strikeout to end the top of the seventh with runners on first and second.
Simply put, Panas came away with the win today because they played better fundamental baseball than the Indians did and made them pay for their mistakes. When John Jay allowed extra base-runners to reach safely, the Panthers capitalized.
The positives to take from this if you’re the Indians is that you seem to have a deep and talented lineup to go along with a solid ace in Jahn. They left 10 runners on and could have scored more, but the No. 1 thing John Jay has to take away from this is that they have to improve defensively.
To be fair, it is only the first day of the season, so there is still plenty of time to work the kinks out. It could have just been an off day, but it was certainly a wild start to the season.
Here are the rest of the scores that we received from tonight:
Hastings 4, Edgemont 3: At Edgemont, Brian Schoen had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. David Spielvogel had two hits and two RBI for the Panthers.
New Rochelle 11, Eastchester 0: At New Rochelle, Jayson Gray had a home run, triple and four RBI. Andrew Zigmont pitched six scoreless innings with six strikeouts to get the win.
Somers 9, Hen Hud 4
Gorton 8, Saunders 6
Yorktown 6, Lakeland 1
Peekskill 3, Poughkeepsie 2
30 Comments
Peekskill wins 3-2 over Poughkeepsie
I went to the New Ro-Eastchester Game. Boy was it an ugly showing for Eastchester. Supposed #1, 8 Earned in 4. Tough, tough game for eastchester hitting wise. This team is really young, and needs a lot of help everywhere. Crimmins had a lot of velocity but was straight and could not throw offspeed for a Strike. Zigmont threw well, he bent a couple times but never broke. He will win a lot of games for New Ro this year, maybe could take down Mamo if he is on. Jayson Gray had a monster game, home run, 5 RBI’s. Very young team at New Ro. They will be a threat in AA this year
Wow, Yorktown beating Lakeland is shocking. I guess this really is rebuilding for Lakeland.
Vincent….Edgemont v Hastings I don’t know whose scorebook you looked at, but …Brian Schoen did hit a double down the third base line, except the runner at second was there due to a fly ball dropped by Edgemonts right fielder…Not an RBI…Hastings scored 4 unearned runs on three hits. Matt Browne went 7 innings 0 earned runs and struck out 6. I guess the Hastings coach is very liberal with his idea of a hit as Spielvogel first “hit”was a popup to the second baseman that he dropped and Browne scored from second. This is a perfect case of why Maxpreps stats are manufactured
My Mistake…I was thinking about earned runs…It is an RBI..Sorry…
Was at the Yorktown-Lakeland game last night. Huskers pitching dominated Lakeland. Rooney was solid and Redahan was throwing hard to end the game. Outside of Bozek, Lakeland doesnt seem to have much offense. Pitching is no where near last year. Looks like two teams headed in opposite directions this year.
There goes class b fan on the defensive again. A loss is a loss. Looks like edgemont will struggle this year unless Browne is hitting or pitching. Section 1 guy – I was at the new Rochelle game also and you are correct, fielding and hitting will be a challenge for eastchester. Zigmont has good stuff, I thought he threww harder, but he mixes it up well
The game last night between Lakeland and Yorktown was dominated by the road team. Great pitching came out of Rooney and Redahan, and a couple of timely hits created a 6-1 victory for the Huskers.
Saw Yorktown at Lakeland last night. Rooney was great and Redahan threw gas. Lakeland’s starter Kim had a rough night and didn’t make it out of the third inning. Lakeland’s other 3 pitchers didn’t allow aYorktown hit for the rest of the game, which should be noted. Lakeland’s Conklin doubled off Rooney and drove in their only run.
john jay played horribly. WHAT THE HELL
Lakeland looked very weak last night. Rooney and redahan were in total control of the hornets all night. Kim for the hornets did not look sharp to say the least. The bullpen was strong. It seems Lakeland is really missing their number one pitcher Nash. Lakeland can only hope they can turn things around soon
Somers looked good in their 9 – 4 win against Hen Hud. Genovese pitched 6 solid innings and should improve with each start. Hitting is definitely this teams strength. Their defense will have to improve though.
People like Q are the reason the comment section is a terrible idea.
PS six errors i saw 9, not ever Q the clown can win with that.
We dont need people like Q on here.
Lakeland’s upperclassmen were horendous last night. I was at the game last night and the only players that looked like they had a clue last night were the sophomores, Bozek, Conklin, and Martinez (before he was taken out of the game for an unknown reason)
agreed Taco Bell, Lakeland’s 1st baseman has got to be one of the worst 1st baseman I’ve ever seen. Yorktown looked strong last night with solid pitching from Rooney and Redahand and strong defensive play from their Sophomore SS Jordan Bichler.
The Yorktown SS had a rough night last night. It was only the first game of the season, so hopefully he’ll improve as the weather warms up and the season goes on…
edegemont’s best chance was 2 years ago when they played briarcliff tough in a playoff game. they have no chance this year in my onion
Taco and lingering. Bitter much?
Lets just start out by saying that coach Curtis has not the slightest clue on what he is doing. I’m currently under is coaching and truth is I’ve not learned a thing. He does not know who to pick a team and in my opinion Gaudio should be head coach and not someguy that thinks he knows baseball and mac computers
Lakeland pitcher and lots of JJ kids play for Taconic.
willly jessel
who asked for your opinion
Lingering thoughts, what makes you say the lakeland first baseman is that bad?
Nice try Lingering Thoughts, AKA “Sophomore SS Jordan Bichler”’s Father
Balls -
Balls – he had no right being On the field because he could not catch or pick a ball and could not hit. He also had absolutely no swag and was about 6’7 150 lbs.
I dont have a first baseman’s mitt, but i do have down syndrome!
From what I saw the first baseman had 2 hits and actually made a pretty nice pick on an errant throw from third
Preston,
What can be said – I’m speechless. Pls apologize. Nothing more – nothing less. .
Don’t forget: it’s not the players, it’s a program.
Not even a question!