Stuyvesant’s ten game winning streak came to an end Friday afternoon, going down 8-5 in to James Monroe Campus HS in the first game of their semifinal matchup.

The game was tight through the first five innings. Peglegs’ starting pitcher Paul Liou had two outs in the second before an injury forced him into the dugout. Reliever Iravan Bhattacharyya looked strong out of the pen again, all but shutting down Monroe through five. But Monroe’s aggressive base running (seven stolen bases) kept the pressure on and forced Stuy into a few errors that led to runs.

In the top of the sixth, Stuy looked like they had opened up the lead behind hits by Peter Carini, Ethan Kirschner, two gorgeous bunts by Julian Duran and freshman Victor Kamrowski and a double by Bhattacharyya. Stuy ended the inning with what they thought was a commanding 5-2 lead.

But things can change quickly in baseball. In the bottom of the sixth, Monroe came out with two base hits. Bhattacharrya got the next two outs leaving Stuy just four outs away from a win. But with victory in sight, for the first time in the playoffs, the Peglegs got sloppy and gave Monroe got a few extra chances. That was the opening Monroe would need. They took advantage and capitalized on Stuy mistakes, with five hits in the inning, including a two run home run that put the game out of reach.

The two teams meet again Saturday at Pier 40 for game two of a best-of-three series.

Game Notes

• Kirschner made a stellar run saving catch in the bottom of the fourth in deep left field
• Liou is listed as doubtful for game two
• Sam Levine gets the start for game two