Poly Prep 10 - Hackley 4 Championship Game
For a second straight year, the Blue Devils took the field against their arch rival Hackley in the State Championship Game. After an emotional night of senior speeches the night before, the team was ready to accomplish their year long goal…a state championship. The Blue Devils started in the bottom of the first by scoring two runs including great base running by Kevin Heller and an RBI single by Sam Berg. Hackley then tied the game up at 2. Hackley then took the lead 3-2 and eventually tack on one more to make it 4-2. Poly didn’t rest a heartbeat. After scoring one run, Joe Hemmes hit a solo shot over the left field fence to tie the game up at 4 giving Poly the momentum back. After keeping a 4-4 tie for a few innings, Poly took the lead when Richie Carbone beat out a double play with runners on first and third allowing the run from third to score. The next 2 innings were hard fought baseball by both sides. In the bottom of the 6th, Poly’s bats erupted for 6 runs putting the game totally out of reach 10-4. Kevin Heller pitched an unbelievable 6 innings to finish his Poly career with a win, and as usual Sam “Iron Man” Berg shut the door in the 7th. After a ground ball to Richie Carbone who stepped on first for the final out, the team piled on the pitcher’s mound in celebration and everyone knew, “We did it”. To all of the seniors: Kevin Heller, Sam Berg, Joe Hemmes, Mike Deangelis, Dean Ginsberg, Chris Zaloom, Joe Gilbride, Sam Hasty, and Lee Feiner. This season was one to remember, another State Championship. This senior class will be remembered as the one who started the Poly Prep Baseball Dynasty; the Poly Prep Baseball family is never torn apart. Finishing with a record of 24-3 and another state championship in the trophy case, every senior got on base in their last at bat…everyone leaves with a smile on their face and no regrets. A big thank you to the coaching staff and to Head Coach Matt Roventini who has built the Poly Prep Program from the dirt to Back to Back NYSAISAA State Championships. This season will be remembered with one word, family. by Richie Carbone |
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Poly Prep 8 - Riverdale 7 Semifinal Game It was the last baseball game at Harlow Parker Field for this Class of Seniors and a trip to the State Championship was on the line. The Riverdale Falcons came into the game with a win over #4 seed Fieldston in the quarterfinals 4-2. The Falcons got off to a quick start by taking a 1-0 lead on a squeeze bunt by shortstop Austin Davis. The Blue Devils then tied the game up at 1 and then rallied to take the lead 5-1. After cruising for an inning, the Falcons loaded the bases and the Riverdale #5 hitter hit a bases clearing triple to pull the game within 1. In the bottom of the 6th, the Blue Devils tacked on 2 more to make it 7-4 going into the bottom of the 7th. With almost all hope lost, a couple of walks and a hit brought the Falcons to a bases loaded and no outs. After a single and a passed ball, the Falcons had the lead back down to one with only one out and the bases loaded. Sam Berg then struck out the next hitter and with two outs, Riverdale tied the game after a hit by pitch drove in a run. Sam Berg got out of the inning after a great play by J.J. Franco in the hole at shortstop to shoot the runner out at first. Going into the 7th inning with a 7-7 score, the Blue Devils were determined to take this game right there without any extra time. Max Warner started the inning with a single up the middle and was followed by another single by Richie Carbone. Dean Ginsberg then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but confusion by Riverdale allowed to Dean to get to first before the ball. With the bases loaded and no outs, it was time for Kevin Heller to do what he does best…be a hero. With an 0-2 count Kevin hit a shot to centerfield and with the outfield playing in, the ball landed over the outfielders and Max Warner scored the winning run and sent the Poly Prep Blue Devils to the NYSAISAA Championship game for the second straight year. J.J. Franco started the game and got relief from Kevin Heller and Sam Berg to complete this hard worked win. The Blue Devils will move onto face arch rival Hackley in the State Championship game for the second straight year. Poly will head up to Manhattanville College on Wednesday with one thing in mind…a state championship. by Richie Carbone |
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Poly Prep 11 - Columbia Prep 0 Quarterfinal Game It was NYSAISAA Tournament time at Harlow Parker Field as the #1 seeded Blue Devils took the field against #8 seed Columbia Prep in this quarterfinal match-up. After 3 scoreless innings, Columbia loaded the bases with one out and were very eager to score. Sam Hasty forced a ground ball and Sam Berg came to the rescue by stepping on second and throwing to first for the inning ending double play. This sparked the Blue Devils. The Blue Devils loaded the bases with 0 outs and Richie Carbone started a huge rally with a 2 RBI single up the middle. Kevin Heller continued it with a grand slam over the left field fence, a shot that went over 410 feet. The Blue Devils tacked on 7 more that inning and finished off Columbia with an 11-0 win. Sam Hasty pitched his best game all year in his last start as a Poly Prep Blue Devils, giving them the spark to succeed with the bats. Sam Hasty finished his Poly career without a loss, what an unbelievable feat. The Blue Devils move onto the semi-finals where they will face #5 seed Riverdale. J.J. Franco will take the mound and will look to push the Blue Devils to the State Championship for the second straight year. by Richie Carbone |
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