Pitching, defense leads Calhoun over Baldwin

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Last Saturday’s Nassau Class AA baseball first-round playoff matchup between eighth-seeded Calhoun and No. 9 Baldwin provided each team a chance to erase a tough regular-season ending as well as advance into a best-of-three quarterfinal series.

Calhoun, which carried the weight of a three-game losing streak into the postseason, got a complete-game gem from pitcher Dylan Hughes and flashed plenty of leather behind him in a 4-1 victory. Hughes allowed only four hits and didn’t issue a walk while striking out three. Baldwin, which entered the playoffs with losses in five of its last six, spoiled Hughes’ shutout bid in the top of the fifth.

“I’m real pleased with the intensity level we brought to the field,” Colts coach Art Canestro said. “It’s something that’s been a challenge for us all season, but it was definitely there today and made a difference.”

Hughes, who said he was roughed up by Mepham in his previous start four days earlier, retired the Bruins in order in the second, third, fourth and sixth innings. “I felt good out there and we played unbelievable defense,” said Hughes, who got the most help from second baseman Connor Hannon and right fielder Bobby Bianco. “Coach told me to keep the ball low since that’s my forte, and we’d have a great chance to win,” he added.

Hughes’ counterpart, Nikko Arellano, went four innings and yielded seven hits and no walks while fanning two. Only two of the runs allowed were earned. Sophomore Stephen Strategakos tossed two innings of scoreless relief and saw Lucas Sullivan make two nifty plays in left. “Nikko gave us everything he had,” Baldwin coach Frank Esposito said of Arellano. “He’s been dealing with a nagging injury most of the year. We’re really going to miss him and Bayyan [Ngata-El]. They were our leaders.”

Ngata-El, who earned Conference AA-II Player of the Year honors, stepped to the plate in the top of the first with a runner in scoring position, but Hughes changed the complexion of the inning with a pickoff for the second out. Ngata-El singled and Arellano walked, but a fielder’s choice groundout ended the threat.

Calhoun (11-9), which advanced to meet No. 2 MacArthur in this week’s quarterfinals, took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Bianco drove in Hughes with a two-out single.

After Bianco made two lunging grabs in the top of the third, the Colts kept the bats going in the bottom of the inning and scored three times to build a 4-0 lead. Luke Scoggins led off with a single, stole second, moved to third when Dan Donato reached on a fielder’s choice, and scored on Jake Garguilo’s single to right. Donato scored on a dropped third strike and Joe Grossane capped the rally with an infield single to score Garguilo.

Fred Lucas scored the lone run for Baldwin (10-9) on Antonio Diaz’s groundout to a diving Hannon.

“It’s not easy going into the playoffs without momentum, but the kids stayed positive and played a strong all-around game,” Canestro said.over the next two seasons.