Malverne makes strides on diamond

Malverne continues to make strides toward respectability on the baseball diamond. While the boxscores don’t paint the rosiest picture, the work ethic and attitude of the Mules says a lot about the direction of the program. Malverne stands at 1-7 in Conference BC-I, 2-8 overall.

Tim Young, in his third year as head coach, is optimistic about Malverne baseball. “The team is disciplined, and motivated to do well,” Young said. “We’re working hard, and go into every game thinking we can win. We just need to start to see some of the bounces go in our direction. The great thing about athletes at Malverne is that they work real hard and never give up.” Young is assisted by Ken Susi.

After dropping their opening game, the Mules got in the win column with a 6-4 victory over West Hempstead. Catcher Jeremy Sarnataro had a pair of hits and an RBI to lead Malverne. Senior Rancher Rodriguez pitched a complete game, scattering eight hits, and walking just one. Senior Ranfy Rodriguez had a single and walked twice.

In the league opener, senior Tim Ohl pitched a brilliant game, surrendering just one earned run on three hits, but was bested by East Rockaway 2-0. Ohl, who faces the opponent’s ace each time he takes the mound, has had a dearth of run-support. Malverne has scored a total of five runs in four games Ohl started. East Rockaway’s David Hobbs threw a one-hitter with seven strikeouts and no walks to get the win.

The Mules picked up a conference victory when they beat Carle Place 13-9. Christian Algarra was 2-for-3 with a homer, and sophomore right fielder Dominick Gandolfo went 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead the offense. 

Junior Scott Savino, an All-League honoree as a freshman, leads off for the Mules. Savino has a terrific eye and hits the ball to all fields. He’s been nursing an arm injury, so the centerfielder has been relegated to designated hitter duties. Savino had a big double in the win over Carle Place.

Ohl, who bats third for Malverne, and Rancher Rodriguez anchor the pitching staff, with Ranfy Rodriguez and Gandolfo rounding out the rotation.