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Eagles soar into post-season

by Bill Landon - June 5, 2021

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Rocky Point senior Emmarose Hansen clears from behind the cage in a home game against Kings Park June 4. Bill Landon photo

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The Eagles of Rocky Point had a six-goal cushion at the halftime break, but Kings Park came out strong early in the second half drawing within three goals two different times when the Eagles slammed the door to win the Division II matchup 19-13 at home, June 4.

Senior Kelly Logue topped the scoring chart for the Eagles with five goals. Lindsey Lucia followed with four, and seniors Kaleigh Wilgeroth and Emmarose Hansen both had hat tricks.

A pair of sophomores led the way for Kings Park with Jaxie Cestone and Anne McGovern scoring three goals each.

Rocky Point senior Jenika Cuocco had 12 saves at net.

The Eagles finish their regular COVID- shortened season at 11-3 to ready themselves for post season play which began Tuesday June 8. Rocky Point was scheduled to play Comsewogue June 9. Results were not available at press time. Kings Park concluded their 2021 contest at 7-6.

Pictured clockwise from above left, Kings Park sophomore Anne McGovern crosses midfield pursued by Rocky Point junior Lindsey Lucia; Rocky Point junior Victoria Curreri takes possession for the Eagles; senior Emmarose Hansen pushes up-field; senior Kelly Logue sets up the play; senior goalie Jenika Cuocco with a save in a home game.

Huntington reliever slams the door on O’Beirne gem to beat Northport

by TBR Staff - June 2, 2021

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By Steven Zaitz

The Houdinis of Huntington pulled off yet another escape — and it was the bullpen that wrote the final act.

The Blue Devils fended off a wild seventh inning comeback attempt by the Northport Tigers and won by a score of 4-3, May 27 in Huntington. Devils starting pitcher Palmer O’Beirne was brilliant again, going 6 1/3 innings and striking out nine. Closer Alex Bellissimo got the last two outs with the bases loaded to end the game.

“That last inning was definitely a lot of pressure, for sure,” the senior Bellissimo said. “But the whole time I was thinking that I’ve got to close it out for Palmer because he pitched a great game. I just stayed relaxed and tried to execute my pitches.”

While Bellissimo was relaxing, everyone else in attendance was on the edge of their seats — in the dugouts and in the stands. As the afternoon settled into early dusk, the other extra-curricular activities around the Huntington High School Athletic Complex had ended. Lacrosse players, cheerleaders and other members of the student body began to buzz around the ballfield to watch these two fiery rivals play this seventh and deciding inning. They were in for a treat.

Three weeks prior to this game, Huntington stunned Northport with four runs in their final turn at bat to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 victory. Northport was looking for a little payback.

But O’Beirne, a junior, was perfect through three innings in this rematch and had given up only three hits and a run through six. He came out for the seventh inning having thrown 95 pitches and immediately showed signs of fatigue by giving up a single to Richard Kershow to start the inning. He had struck Kershow out twice before.

“I got two strikes on him and tried to finish him off with a curve,” the 6-foot-3-inch fireballer said. “I left it up a little bit and he was able to get it into right field for a hit. I wish I stuck with my fastball there.”

After getting sophomore Owen Johansen to fly out to right, Tiger first baseman Joe Gonzales lined a double to right center, bringing the potential tying run to the plate and knocking O’Beirne, tired or not, out of the game, as he reached his pitch count maximum of 105.

“I would have liked to have been out there to finish the game,” O’Beirne said. “I was counting pitches in my head instead of focusing on getting the batters out.”

So O’Beirne, who was named after Baltimore Oriole pitching great Jim Palmer, moved over to first base and his teammate Bellissimo was called upon to put out a smoldering fire — and things were about to get even hotter.

Northport shortstop Ray Moreno drove in Kershow with a single to right. Speedy leftfielder Tom Tini, who saved two runs the previous inning with a spinning circus catch, legged out an infield hit on a very close play at first base. Gonzales came in to score on Tini’s hit and Huntington’s lead was suddenly just a single run.

Right fielder Rocco Stola drew a walk, loading the bases and more importantly, putting the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with only one out.

Northport catcher Mike Catrone stepped up to the plate. He had driven in a run with a well-struck liner in the previous inning but was thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a double. But Bellissimo got him to pop out to third and the Devils were one out away from victory — the late spring daylight now fading as the drama came to its crescendo.

Number three hitter and centerfielder Dan Thompson was the last hope for Northport.

“Getting that pop out was huge and took some of the pressure off,” Bellissimo said. “But I still had one more out to get.”

With two strikes, Thomson smoked a humpback liner to straightaway center field. The pinging sound of aluminum on rawhide set off alarm bells over the now-hushed diamond. Centerfielder Kyle Colleluori, who seems to find a way to contribute every time he steps on a baseball field, ranged over a few steps to his left to snag the liner before it could find the grass. Ballgame over. Blue Devils win.

“Off the bat, I thought it was hit pretty good and maybe they just took the lead,” said the relieved reliever Bellissimo. “But I turned around and saw that Kyle was there, as he always is. What a great win!”

With the victory, Huntington and Northport, along with Bay Shore and Connetquot, sit atop the League II standings and are scrambling to best each other for playoff seeding.

“In our league, almost anyone can beat anyone,” O’Beirne said. “There are no guarantees.”

If these two teams meet again, it will be in the League II playoffs, and if recent history is any indication, there is one thing that can be guaranteed — that game will have another seventh inning storybook ending.

Who will author it?

Three Northport Lady Tiger stars share COVID-19 experiences

by TBR Staff - May 31, 2021

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SME_NPT_10987 — The incomparable Sophia Bica of Northport. Photo by Steven Zaitz

Recently, three student-athletes from Northport High School shared their experiences with playing sports during the pandemic.

Emma Blanco, senior

Four weeks and only eight games — that is all the Northport Lady Tigers got this season.

Compared to the four months that we usually get for a basketball season, you can definitely say that this year was something different. The Covid-19 pandemic was something that no one saw coming, and it hit everyone hard. Last year, our season was cut short right before we were about to play the Long Island Girls Championship game. This year we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to get on the court again after so much uncertainty about resuming high school sports. COVID-19 was something that no high school sport had ever experienced, and as the winter season was the first that could play, we were the guinea pigs. The masks, social distancing, weekly testing and contact tracing was new territory for everyone.

In the past, we would have been practicing and playing in both summer and fall leagues. These programs not only help us grow as a team skills wise, but give us more time to bond as teammates.

Luckily, all the girls who returned this year had played on the varsity team last year or had been pulled up from the junior varsity team for playoffs in 2020. I knew from the first practice that all the girls were excited, motivated, and ready to get on the court again, and we were determined to make the best of the short season that we were given.

The uncertainty that surrounded the season was definitely stressful. Hearing about other teams that could not play because they were in quarantine after a teammate tested positive — we knew that the season could be taken away just as fast as it started. The optimistic and positive attitude that our team had from the beginning was so crucial to our team’s success. We all knew how important it was to follow the guidelines so that everyone stayed healthy during the season.

Due to COVID restrictions, fans were not allowed at any of our games. We ran a fundraiser that allowed all of our families and fans to purchase cardboard cutouts that would be placed in the stands during all of our home games. It was nice to look out into the stands and see familiar faces, but it did not come close to comparing to the roaring crowds that were in the stands the previous year. Our team filled the void by keeping a positive attitude on and off the court. Although this was not the season that everyone had hoped for, it was an unforgettable experience that will go down in Northport Lady Tiger history.

I am so grateful that I had the chance to lead the team as co-captain and to play as a Northport Lady Tiger one last time before graduating in both basketball and field hockey. I will always look back on my years as a Lady Tiger with the fondest of memories.

Emma Blanco plays girls basketball and was captain in 2021 and was part of the 2020 Suffolk County Championship team. She was named All League II in 2021 and Suffolk County All-Academic team with an average over 100.

She also plays field hockey and was part of the Suffolk County and Long Island Championship team in 2021.

Sophia Yearwood, junior

Having an opportunity to play in the 2021 season gave us hope and relief. As a team we all began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was proud to be on the court with teammates who demonstrated such resilience and determination. We had to accept a new reality which was having less time to sharpen our skills, prepare, and bond as a team for this season.

We did face some adversity, as we had injuries, quarantines and losses that could have and should have been wins. However, we relied on one another to keep us strong and focused, while continuing to develop as a team. Our coaches emphasize the importance of teamwork and encouraged us to inspire and motivate each other.

I remember the day of our first game this season. I think we were all so excited that it was in fact happening when there had been so much doubt. I remember proudly putting on my uniform and walking into the gym. It was such a great feeling to see all my teammates dressed in their uniforms as well ready to play! I could feel the energy, anticipation and emotion that filled the room. It actually felt like we were all returning home after being away for way too long.

Sophia Yearwood plays on the girls basketball team and was part of the 2020 Suffolk County Championship team and a three-year starter, All County in 2020 and 2021 and on Newsday’s Top 100 players on Long Island. She is also a starter for the varsity volleyball team.

Sophia Bica, junior

The best word I could use to describe playing sports during the pandemic is ‘differen.t’

Every team had to adjust to the new rules made by the state such as getting tested before games and wearing masks as we played. I think the toughest thing teams had to deal with was the testing because it would take a lot of time out of the day. Also, if the team that you played had somebody with a positive COVID-19 test, your team would get quarantined too.

I can confidently say that everybody involved was more than willing to do all of these things just so we could have a season. Although a couple of teams only played one or two games, my teams were fortunate enough to play full seasons although it was very different from what we are used to. But all of the girls, players and coaches, on every team, came together to make the most of it.

Sophia Bica plays on the girls basketball team. She is a three-year starter, All County in 2020 and 2021 and on Newsday’s Top 100 players on Long Island. She was a Suffolk County Basketball Champion in 2020. She is captain of the field hockey team that won both Suffolk County and Long Island Championships in 2021 and was this year’s Suffolk County Player of the Year for field hockey as well as First Team All Long Island and All New York State.

All photos by Steven Zaitz

Panthers Prevail

by Bill Landon - May 28, 2021

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Miller Place junior Kenny Leen with one of his ten saves in a rain-soaked game against West Babylon. Bill Landon photo

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It was a rain-soaked Div II matchup Friday night as the Miller Place Panthers trailed visiting West Babylon by one goal at the halftime break. The rain intensified to open the second half coming down in sheets at times but that didn’t dampen the Panthers resolve as they clawed their way back to take the must win game 8-7 May 27.

Co-captain Anthony Bartolotto, a junior , topped the scoring charts for the Panthers with five goals, senior co-captain Nicholas Belvedere stretched the net twice with two assists, and senior Patrick Ging’s shot split the pipes. Kenny Leen a junior, had ten stops in net for the Panthers.

The win lifts the Panthers to 5-6 in the division with three games left in the regular season before post season play begins June 9.

Pictured left to right, Miller Place goalie Kenny Leen with one of his ten saves in a rain-soaked home game; Miller Place co-captain Anthony Bartolotto with a diving shot on goal.

Photos by Bill Landon

Ward Melville Patriots rally around one of their own

by Bill Landon - May 26, 2021

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It was a game that transcended the scoreboard when the Patriots of Ward Melville hosted a Strike Out Cancer awareness and fundraiser softball game against Central Islip May 25 where the focus was on one of their own. Senior catcher Jordi Montuori’s mom Leigh-Anne, who has been battling breast cancer since last year, watched the game that was a fitting tribute of the support the softball community had for one of its family members.

Coach Joseph Burger sensed there was something amiss with his starting catcher and upon learning what she was enduring, decided to do something about it.

“I talked to Jordi during the winter workouts and wanted her thoughts on the idea and to see how her mom felt about it,” Burger said. “I wanted to make sure that Mom was comfortable because it’s so sensitive but Mom gave the green light [so I put the plan in motion].”

Between the pink Strike Out Cancer T-shirts, the balloons, the signs and the decorations her team put together, along with the nice weather, it made it a day of carefree softball.

Undergoing treatment last spring at the height of the pandemic, Leigh-Anne Montuori learned about the event in bits and pieces.

“I was scheduling my third surgery in April, and I found out that at first Jordi chose not to say anything to her teammates but [when] the coach [learned about it he] just ran with it and slowly Jordi revealed details of the game [he] was planning,” Montuori said, adding she was happy about it, and it helped her get through the tough time.

Jordi Montuori said she was touched with the outpouring of support her team and the softball community displayed.

“My dad’s mom died from breast cancer and so did my aunt’s mom, so it’s for all the moms,” the senior said. “You see all the balloons that the parents spent their own money on, the cups in the outfield fence, they did that for me and my mom so they always have my back.”

Coach Burger said the girl’s raised nearly $1,000 to be donated to breast cancer research.

Pictured clockwise from upper left, Ward Melville senior Jordi Montuori with her mom Leigh-Anne at a Strike Out Cancer fundraiser May 25; Patriots eighth-grader Sara Kropp throws the runner out at second base; and Leigh-Anne-Montuori throws out the honorary first pitch.

Mad Dogs beat Smithtown West Bulls

by Bill Landon - May 25, 2021

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Having lost their first five games of the season, Middle County needed to get back to their winning ways making short work of Smithtown West at home besting the Bulls, 21-9.

Eight minutes in Middle Country sophomores Kate Timarky and Kaitlyn Ippolito made their presence known with two goals apiece followed by senior attack Alyssa Oddo and Olivia Annunziata who both found the net.

Smithtown West was unable to keep pace trailing by eight at halftime, and three minutes into the second half, it would be a running clock the rest of the way. Smithtown West goalie Erin Fels had five saves in net and Tabitha Bernstein stopped four.

Timarky led the way for the Mad Dogs with five goals and five assists. Oddo had four goals as did teammates Annunziata and Ippolito

The win lifts Middle Country to 3-6 with 5five games remaining while the loss drops Smithtown West to 3-7 with four games left on their schedule.

Royals reel-in Rocky Point

by Bill Landon - May 21, 2021

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Port-Jefferson-Rocky-Point-lacrosse-052021-Trevor-Lamoureux-Landon-4596 — Rocky Point junior Trevor Lamoureux drives on a defender in a D-II road game May 20. Bill Landon photo

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Down four goals at the half, Rocky Point scored two unanswered goals in the 3rd quarter to close the gap before the Port Jefferson Royals slowed the pace, took control of the game and closed out the D-II matchup with a 9-6 victory at home May 20.

Port Jeff senior Daniel Koban netted a pair of goals as did juniors Kyle Scandale and John Sheils. Stephen Bayer and Michael Scannell both juniors had one goal apiece as did sophomore Brady DeWitt.

Rocky Point senior Charles Gerace netted two goals for the Eagles.

The win lifts the Royals to 4-3 at the half way point of this Covid shortened season as Rocky Point drops to 2-5.

Photos by Bill Landon

Northport Tigers blow by Bay Shore Marauders

by TBR Staff - May 19, 2021

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By Steven Zaitz

In the first inning against Bay Shore, the Northport Tigers baseball team looked more like Bears — The Bad News Bears, that is.

With their ace pitcher Liam Fodor on the hill, the Tigers kicked the ball around the infield to start the game, making three errors and giving up four unearned runs in the first inning to the undefeated Marauders.

Not a good start — at all.

Tack on a very earned run in the form of a 340-foot solo homer to left by left fielder and cleanup hitter Darnell Guerrero in the third inning and Bay Shore had itself an early five-run lead.

Making Northport’s situation extra bleak was the sight of Marauder pitcher Christopher Rouleau, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and was cruising through a Tiger lineup that mustered only two baserunners and a lonely run in the first four innings. Rouleau was dominant during that stretch, racking up six strikeouts and pitching to very soft contact.

“The first part of that game was rough and giving up four runs in the first inning was deflating,” said Northport Associate Head Coach Sean Lynch. “But our guys don’t quit.”

Entering the seventh inning down by three, Northport sprang to life. Rouleau walked the leadoff batter Fodor. Left fielder Tom Tini also drew a walk and Bay Shore replaced the tiring Rouleau with lefty reliever Hayden Preston. He promptly hit right fielder Rocco Stola with a pitch, putting the potential tying runs on base.

Designated hitter Mike Catrone hit a comebacker that drove in a run and centerfielder Dan Thomson grounded out to third to drive in another. But now the Tigers were down to their last out.

Senior third baseman William Deriso stepped into the batter’s box with Northport down by a run with an eager Stola itching to score from third. With two strikes, Deriso, who had been 0-3 with two strikeouts against Rouleau, hit a towering fly ball to left field. Guererro turned his back to home plate and gave chase. He would run out of room.

The ball clanked off the billboard-sized, metallic scoreboard that is situated behind the left field fence for a two run home run. The blast put the Tigers ahead 6-5 and their bench exploded with joy.

“As soon as Will hit that ball, I knew it was gone,” Lynch said. “The wind was blowing out and he put a great swing on it. He is a huge part of our offense and he showed why today.”

There was still a matter of the bottom of the seventh. Clinging to this newly found one run lead, Fodor, who had been brilliant in his two previous starts, retired the first two batters. In a game that started on shaky ground for the senior right-hander, he was one out away from a complete game victory.

“Liam is a true leader,” Lynch said. “He threw a one hit shutout against Smithtown East, but I think he was even better in this game because of the way he dealt with the adversity. He kept us in the game”

But before Fodor could close the books on this one, he needed one more out. Right fielder Coltrane Calloway refused to cooperate, lining a single to center. Guerrero followed with a single of his own and suddenly the tying run was in scoring position for the Marauders. Guerrero was 3-4 with a homer and three runs batted in on the day.

After a long discussion between the umpiring crew and both coaches about the starter’s pitch count, it was determined that Fodor had to come out of the game. So, in came Jason Schwartz to try and finish it.

Schwartz induced a weak grounder to third. Deriso, a hero just moments before, threw the ball past first baseman Joe Gonzales and Calloway scored the tying run. Schwartz got the next batter, but this hard-fought game was now going to extra innings.

With two outs and nobody on for Northport, Schwartz walked and Tini dumped a single into left. Leadoff hitter Stola stepped in against the lefty. After fouling off a hittable pitch on 3-1, Stola, the multi-sport superstar, knocked himself in the helmet with his bat in frustration.

“I should have put a better swing on the 3-1 pitch,” Stola said. “He threw it up and in and I was a little early on it and fouled it off. After that pitch, I reminded myself to wait on the ball against this guy.”

Stola’s mental note paid off. He laced the 3-2 pitch into the right center field gap for a double. Schwartz scored rather easily and Tini raced around all the way from first, giving the Tigers an 8-6 lead. Once again there was pandemonium in the Northport dugout.

“That was awesome,” Stola said. “I knew I had to come through in that clutch moment. I appreciate that my coaches trust me by putting me high up in the order and I feel like I’ve got to deliver in that spot.”

After allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the inning, Schwartz got the next three batter, all on strikes, to preserve the win.

“Jason came in and was outstanding,” Lynch said. “He got the grounder in the seventh inning that should have ended the game, but instead of letting it bother him, he got out of the inning and struck out the last three batters of the game. That was a tremendous job by Jason.”

With the win, Northport is 5-2 and stays within the top tier of teams in League II, along with Bay Shore (6-1), Connetquot (5-1) and Huntington (4-2). Bay Shore travels to North Babylon on Thursday while Northport is at Half Hollow Hills East.

For more photos, visit tbrnewsmedia.com.

Warriors clip Eagle’s wings

by Bill Landon - May 18, 2021

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Comsewogue senior Jake Deacy looks for a lane against visiting Hauppauge May 14. Bill Landon photo

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It was Corey Watson’s stick that led the way for the Comsewogue Warriors with five goals in the Division II matchup at home against Hauppauge May 14.

Comsewogue’s offense struggled early in the game having to overcome three unanswered goals by the Eagles. Overcame they did when senior attackman Corey Watson scored two goals back-to-back, Vincent Herbstman answered the call with a goal then Watson followed scoring two more. Michael Katz got on the scoreboard for a 7-4 lead late in the third quarter. The Warriors controlled the game the rest of the way, allowing Hauppauge only one last score, to win it 12-5

Watson topped the scoring chart for the Warriors with five. Katz finished with three goals, and teammates Jake Deacy, James Mantione and Justin Bonacci each scored. Senior goalkeeper Mason Oak saved six.

The win lifts Comsewogue to 4-1 for a share of third place in the division behind Mount Sinai and Shoreham Wading River.