In one of the best games of the season, Stuy’s JV battled James Monroe’s JV to a 9-inning, 4 – 4 tie!
With 2 outs and the score knotted at 4 in the bottom of the 6th, Stuy moved runners to 2nd and 3rd on a wild pitch. Sophomore, co-captain, Charles Merkel came to the plate and scorched a one hopper in the direction of the Monroe shortstop who stabbed the ball. His throw to 1st base was low, but the Monroe 1st baseman picked it cleanly to beat Merkel by a couple steps.
Between innings, John Carrick, Monroe’s JV coach, described the exchange as the best fielding play he’s seen any team make this season. What would likely have resulted in a tie-breaking, 2-run single went down in the book as nothing more than a 6-3 ground out.
Two innings later, with the score still tied at 4 – 4 in the bottom of the 8th, Freshman Andrew Choi singled to left field, then promptly stole 2nd base. Two batters later, with 2 outs, Sophomore Adrian Veto came to the plate with Choi in scoring position. Veto drove a ball deep to center field, but the Monroe outfielder made a great play to snuff out Stuy’s second potential walk-off hit of the game.
Freshman Victor Kamrowski took the hill for Stuy to start the game, striking out 5 batters in just 2 innings of work. He was followed on the mound by Merkel who had the best outing of his career, throwing 7 complete innings, giving up just 3 hits and 3 runs, while striking out 10 batters.
After tying the game in the top of the 6th, Monroe didn’t really threaten in the final 3 innings, with one notable exception.
In the top of the 9th inning, a Monroe hitter blasted a tower shot to right field, forcing Freshman Christopher Louie to track back into the middle of a Downtown United Soccer Club practice which was in full swing on the adjacent field. Louie remained remarkably composed as he circled behind one of the soccer nets positioned in deep right field, avoiding the soccer players around him. As the ball fell, he reached up, but lost his balance and one shoe, falling to the turf. Gathering himself, the Freshman stood up and showed the ball sitting firmly in his glove. At which point the Stuy faithful on the field, on the bench and in the bleachers erupted in amazement!
Every boy on both teams played multiple innings and had at least one at bat. It was a sensational afternoon for all, and both teams eagerly await what promises to be a fantastic rematch in the Bronx on Saturday, May 21st.
Andrew: 2-3 with 1 run scored, 1 hit by pitch, 1 stolen base, and 1 strike out
