BY LAURA ALBANESE
So I went to the MacArthur/Syosset match-up this Monday and, in between trying regain feeling in all my extremities, I was able to jot down some interesting notes here and there.
- Syosset is having a rough go at it, huh? At last check, they were 1-3 in league with all their losses being close calls.They're incredibly solid all the way through (though maybe a little shaky on some key defensive spots), but so far, they're lacking a big playmaker that can deliver those key two-out hits.
- Matt Zink might get all the hype, but Syosset first baseman Mike Cunningham is kinda ridiculous. He's consistent with the bat, but his defense absolutely anchors that infield. I counted three (three!) times he saved an error with his fancy footwork. Twice with cringe-inducing splits to reach throws that were either too wide or too weak, and once with a web-gem worthy jump and twirl tag. This kid went up, fully extended, to catch a high toss and then twirled mid-air to tag the runner right before he hit the bag. Awesome.
- According to coach Larry Levane, starter Bryan Henrick has been starting off shaky and locking in after a few innings - much like he did during the MacArthur game. He allowed a single to the leadoff hitter and fell behind 3-1 to the next two batters before allowing a run. After after a hit to start off the second, he seemed to settle down considerably. It might just be the weather getting to him, though. I'd love to see how he does when he can actually warm up.
(To anyone who's never been: early season baseball games are cold. It could be 55 degrees everywhere else, and you'll still be clutching your inappropriately thin spring jacket, waiting for hypothermia to kick in. Major shoutout to the crowd supervisor at Syosset, who kindly let me sit on her blanket.)
But enough about the Braves. I'm currently wracking my brain, trying to suss out the players of the week. We've had some outstanding performances thus far, and it's only Wednesday.
Check out the numbers for Vinny Festa in a game for New Hyde Park this week: 4-for-4, 4 RBIs, 2 SB, 3 R.
Then there's Jason Chin. He struck out 18 for Baldwin and allowed one unearned run in what I'm guessing was a complete game against Elmont (guess I'll call the coach on this one).
Hewlett's Zach Epstein, meanwhile, went 3-for-4, with a home run, two RBIs, three runs and three stolen bases in a game against Carle Place.
I know I'm probably missing someone big. Let me know! (Nassau Catholic schools are in here, too.)