Rosman’s risky play seals the deal for Rocky Point SportsVillage Beacon Record by TBR Staff - May 30, 2018 0 1053 Eagles fire on all cylinders to sweep Shoreham-Wading River for first Suffolk County championship title 1 of 10 Rocky Point's baseball team celebrates its Suffolk County title after a win against Shoreham Wading River May 29. Photo by Bill Landon Rocky Point's John Rosman gets dirty while rounding the bases. Photo by Bill Landon Rocky Point's Mike Gunning makes contact. Photo by Bill Landon Rocky Point first baseman Ryan Maciaszek catches a shot off a Wildcats' bat. Photo by Bill Landon Shoreham Wading River's Mason Kelly hits a ball out of the park. Photo by Bill Landon Shoreham Wading River's Michael Smith touches the plate after a home run. Photo by Bill Landon Rocky Point's Alex Bonacci crosses the plate. Photo by Bill Landon Wildcats starting pitcher Ryan Mullahey throws some heat. Photo by Bill Landon Rock Point's Alex Bonacci congratulates teammate Rob Milopsky. Photo by Bill Landon Rocky Point's baseball team celebrates its Suffolk County title after a win against Shoreham Wading River May 29. Photo by Bill Landon By Bill Landon & Desirée Keegan John Rosman was ready and eager to take home Rocky Point baseball’s first Suffolk County title. The senior, who hit an RBI-double in the bottom of the second inning to start off the scoring, took a big lead off third two innings later on a grounder, and hesitated, freezing Shoreham-Wading River’s second baseman before darting home. Rocky Point’s John Rosman dives for the plate and scores. Photo by Bill Landon He squeezed his head-first slide in just in time to avoid the tag to give No. 2-seeded Rocky Point an early 4-1 lead in its 7-3 home win over No. 1 Shoreham-Wading River in game 2 of a best-of-three series Class A baseball championship May 29. With his aggressive base running Rosman helped Rocky Point rake in its first ever county crown. The Eagles had topped the Wildcats 10-1 the day before, where the senior went 2-for-3 with two doubles. “I’ve been running the bases aggressively all series — I had the confidence that I could get there and just let it happen,” said Rosman, who finished the day 1-for-2 with two runs, a walk and a stolen base. “You can’t make the game bigger than what it is. It’s just a baseball game; you’ve got to stay focused.” Junior Rob Milopsky pitched a complete game, allowed six hits, one walk, two earned runs and struck out six to earn the win. The starter remained composed even with danger lurking, like when Shoreham-Wading River juniors Michael Smith and Mason Kelly crushed back-to-back home runs in the top of the sixth to bring the Wildcats within two. Milopsky fanned the next two batters to retire the side. “It was everything I thought it was going to be,” the starting pitcher said of the game. “But I trusted my defense and threw my pitches. Just commanded the zone, gave it everything I had.” “[You’ve got to give] credit to Shoreham, they can break out at any moment; they’re a dangerous team,” Rocky Point assistant coach Eric Strovink said. “You can’t be too comfortable.” Eagles starting pitcher Rob Milopsky throws a pitch. Photo by Bill Landon The offense backed up their starter in the bottom of that sixth inning with two more runs to re-extend the lead. Joe Grillo hit the ball through a gap to bring home Dillon Cassidy and Mike Gunning’s ground-rule double sent Grillo across the plate. “Words can’t even describe [this], it feels great,” Grillo said. “I’ve been here a few times and never won, and now, we’re champions.” Ryan Callahan also contributed an RBI-double in the first, and Ryan Maciaszek laid down a bunt that brought home Alex Bonacci for a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Bonacci said he trusted Milopsky to get the job done even when the Wildcats (18-5) closed in. “I knew he had it in him to go all the way — he looked great from the start,” the senior said. “I honestly had no worries. I knew we were going to get it done, and when it happened, it was awesome.” The Eagles (20-5) will face Wantagh in the Long Island Class A championship Saturday, June 2, at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue. “They work harder than anybody out there — they deserved this, they’re an extraordinary group of kids and I’m so happy for them,” said Rocky Point Head Coach Andrew Aschettino. “It’s special.”