As they often do, errors loomed large for the Shenendehowa Plainsmen in their 2-1 loss Saturday in a non-league matchup to the defending Class AA state champions Mamaroneck Tigers.
Shen sophomore Brandon Roberts threw six innings, allowing two hits, struck out three and did not allow an earned run, but did not get any help from the field.
“He competed, he threw strikes, and kept runners tight,” Shenendehowa head coach Greg Christodulu said of his pitcher’s performance. “We just didn’t defend as well as we should have.”
The Tigers got on the board in the first inning on an unearned run, but the key run came three innings later. In the top of the fourth,
Mamaroneck loaded the bases with no outs following three straight errors. After a fly out, Hugo Lefuente dropped down a suicide squeeze to score Genovese Emerson and gave Mamaroneck the 2-1 lead. Matt Waldron, who was running hard the whole play from second, tried to catch the Plainsmen off guard and bolted for home, but was thrown out to end the inning. Roberts escaped the jam allowing just one.
That’s all the run support Bill Flatow needed. The senior captain tossed a complete game, allowing two hits, striking out four, and allowed no earned runs.
The lone Plainsmen run came in the second inning, when Mamaroneck catcher Jarrett Nalhitgal threw down to second to try and pick off Ben Anderson. Anderson took off for third on the throw as the ball skipped into center field, allowing Anderson to score easily.
The only other scoring opportunity for the Plainsmen came in the fifth when Frank Pizzo hit a one-out double. Flatow got out of the jam by striking out back-to-back Plainsmen to end the inning.
“We stayed competitive and focused,” Christodulu of his team’s performance. “We just did not take advantage of the opportunities we had to be successful.”
Shenendehowa returns to the diamond Monday morning as they face Troy and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake in a doubleheader.
Mamaroneck 100 100 0 — 2 2 2
Shenendehowa 010 000 0 — 1 2 4
Flatow and Nalhitgal; Roberts, B. Anderson (7) and Gillooley.
Categories: -Sports-, High School Sports
