Late Drama
Burke Roars Back In Seventh To Overtake Monticello In Opening Day Non-League Nail Biter
John S. Burke Catholic 8, Monticello 6
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Photos at: www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Scenes from the season opener between host Monticello and visiting Burke (clockwise) Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini heads to the mound as Monticello Superintendent Daniel Teplesky heads for home plate as the duo get set for the ceremonial first pitch of the season. Burke veteran righty Ryan St. John fires a strike. St. John threw close to a hundred pitches in 4 2/3 innings of work. Monticello junior Shane Jackson ropes an RBI single in the second inning. Jackson was also key in the Monties taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth before Burke stormed back with Jackson on the mound in the seventh to capture the win. Monticello's Devon Chester slides safely into second base after knocking in a run with a single in the second. Burke Coach Mike Paravati gives some advice Tom Sullivan who hit a two run double to tie the score at three-all in the top of the third. Monticello starter Connor Birggs hurls a strike. Briggs struck out the side in the first and got two more K's in the second before running into trouble in the third. He threw 42 pitches in this outing. Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini throws the ceremonial first pitch to Monticello Superintendent Daniel Teplesky.
MONTICELLO, NY—There’s always something special about the start of the baseball season and it never gets old. The sounds and sights are invigorating and there is always a palpable excitement in the air. Indeed, it is the symbolic renewal; the end of the barren winter and the start of the vibrant spring.
For the host Monticello players arrayed in their crisp white pants soon to be christened by hues of brown and green from the base paths and the grass, and their new light blue jerseys bearing the word Monti across their chests, the prospect of getting things started on a positive note was enticing to say the least.
As Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini got set to throw the ceremonial first pitch to Monticello Superintendent Dan Teplesky, fans had already begun to fill the bleacher seats behind home plate. A bright sun cast its light on the manicured field. A few puffy clouds drifted across the bright blue sky.
It was a picture perfect setting indeed.
Monticello sophomore Ben Kapito takes a lead at third in the second inning. Kapito got a three-run rally started with his leadoff single in the stanza.
The Burke Eagles arrayed in their dark blue jerseys and gray pants had already warmed up and were anxiously awaiting the first pitch from Monticello senior captain Connor Briggs. After Cellini’s brief outing on the mound, the game got underway.
Briggs looked dominant in the first inning as he struck out the side deploying a mere 13 pitches. Burke Coach Mike Paravati sent veteran righty Ryan St. John to the hill to deploy his curve and fast ball. St. John worked his way out of a pair of walks to hold the Monties at bay in the first.
In the second Briggs fanned two more after allowing a leadoff single to Tom Sullivan.
The Monties got things rolling in the bottom of the second with a leadoff single up the middle by Ben Kapito. Jonathan Harred set down a perfect sac bunt to advance him to second. St. John got Andrew Krotje on strikes before Jack Drapkin beat out an infield single. With Shane Jackson at the plate, the Monties scored on a throwing error on a steal. Jackson then roped a single to score the second run of the frame. Devon Chester hit a single to plate the third run. Sean Reuss grounded out to second to end the inning but the upbeat Monties were on top 3-0.
Burke tied it up in the top of the third as Briggs hit a snag with his control. Things began innocently enough as Justin Fenical grounded out on a comebacker to the mound. But Briggs plunked Julian Placencia and a subsequent passed ball moved him up to second. Leadoff hitter Efrain Rodrigo flied out to right but another passed ball moved Placencia to third. Briggs walked St. John to put runners on the corners and a single by Paul Rapoli plated the Eagles’ first run of the day.
Tom Sullivan followed with a two run double and just like that the score was tied. Monticello Coach Mike Marra had seen enough. Briggs exited having thrown 42 pitches in his 2 2/3 innings of work. Kapito came on in relief and stuck out Drew Lallathin to end the threat.
St. John allowed a single to Briggs in the third but struck out two and fielded a comebacker from Jonathan Harned to keep the deadlock in force.
Burke scored twice in the top of the fourth inning as Kapito issued a leadoff walk to Paul Degan. After striking out Brad Howerter, Kapito allowed a single to Fenical. Striking out Placencia it looked as if he might escape without allowing any runs but a walk to Rodrigo loaded the bases.
Sensing the crucial nature of this juncture of the game and realizing that Burke’s big hitters were waiting in the wings, Marra lifted Kapito after his 29 pitches and inserted Andrew Krotje, a pitched he felt he could rely on to throw strikes.
Burke slugger Paul Rapoli ropes an RBI single in the third inning as part of a rally to tie the score at that juncture. Rapoli led off the seventh with a double that helped spark the game--winning rally.
A hard hit ball to deep short by Paul Rapoli scored a run but another came in on a throwing error from Shane Jackson. Krotje got Sullivan to ground out by the Eagles now led 5-3.
The Monties got a run back in the bottom of the fourth as Drapkin reached on an E-5 and Jackson singled and then scored on a single by Sean Reuss. A walk to Khalil Guadalupe loaded the bases but Rapoli came on in relief of St. John and stranded all three runners with his pop up to short.
In the top of the fifth a pair of walks issued by Kropje ended his time on the mound. Jackson took over to record a strike out and induce an inning ending double play. The Monties went quietly in the bottom of the fifth inning as this writer headed home to meet family obligations thereby missing all of the ensuing drama as Burke led 6-5 at that juncture
Here’s how it shook out according to Marra:
“We took the lead in the bottom of the 6th trailing 6-5 starting the inning. Shane Jackson led off with a sharp single to left center and then stole second and third. Devon Chester walked. Sean Reuss doubled driving in Jackson to tie at 6-6 and Chester went to third. Chester scored on a wild pitch. Monticello led 6-5 at the end of the sixth inning,” he noted.
Marra went on to detail the tumultuous seventh inning.
Paul Rapoli led off with double off of Shane Jackson. An intentional base on balls was issued to Tom Sullivan that put runners at 1st and 2nd with 0 Outs.
Drew Lallathin blooped a single to left loading the bases with 0 outs.
Paul Degan grounded back to Jackson who got the force out a home before Brad Howerter struck out looking. So, with two outs and the bases loaded and 1 out away from winning a dramatic comeback game, pinch hitter Joe Grasso hit the first pitch off of Jackson into the right centerfield gap scoring all three runs… The triple put Burke up 8-6 and that was the final.
Now I know how the Texas Rangers felt last year in the World Series when they were one out away from winning the championship and David Freese hit the triple to keep the Cards alive.
We need to be more on point in effort and execution with our ball club as we don’t have the talent to win on talent alone. Today we had the effort but weren’t able to execute when we needed to,” said Marra. The Monties (0-1)will head south on their annual spring jaunt. They return to action on April 14 when they will host Saugerties.
Burke plays host to Port Jervis in a non-league game on April 4.
For an album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Monticello’s Skipper To Speak At National Clinic This Weekend
Monticello Baseball Skipper Mike Marra
RALEIGH, N.C. – Monticello High’s head baseball coach, Mike Marra, is speaking at the 20th Annual National High School Baseball Coaches Clinic which runs December 1-4 at the Sheraton Raleigh in Raleigh, NC. Marra is speaking at 10:20AM on Sunday about base running in his presentation titled “Winning on the Bases.”
“It is a privilege to be invited to speak at the National High School Baseball Coaches Clinicwith some of the Nation’s great baseball coaches,” said Marra. “It’s a great opportunity to give back to my profession and to address coaches from across the country.”
Marra, entering his 4th season as skipper of the Monticello High School baseball team, will be the only coach from the Northeast speaking at this year’s clinic.
Marra serves as president of the New York State Baseball Coaches Association and the
High School Division I Chairman of the American Baseball Coaches Association.
About the National High School Baseball Coaches Association
The National High School Baseball Coaches Association (BCA) was officially formed in July
1991, to provide services and recognition for baseball coaches and to help promote and represent high school baseball across this country. The current membership has coaches from every state sponsoring high school baseball.
visit: www.baseballcoaches.org
