Baldwin earns important win

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The excitement of playing baseball in prime time under the lights at Baldwin Park last Friday night sparked the host Bruins, who defeated Valley Stream Central, 10-0, in a Conference AA-II matchup behind some timely hitting and the arm of junior Michael Ahearne.

“It was nice to play under the lights, but the weather was brutal,” Baldwin coach Frank Esposito said. “It didn’t seem to bother the kids. They came out swinging and Ahearne had his best outing of the season. It was a game we needed.”

Baldwin (5-7) scored in each of the five innings played and won by the mercy rule. A four-run second inning blew it open early and gave Ahearne (five hits, seven strikeouts, no walks) all the support he’d need. “He’s had mixed results but he’s thrown well every game and gives us everything he’s got,” Esposito said.

Senior Tommy Airey (3-for-4, three RBIs, three runs) and junior Nick Diaz (2-for-3, two RBIs, two runs) led the offensive attack.

Esposito said it was “basically a must-win” for the Bruins after Central took the middle game of the series, 5-4, in extra innings at Firemen’s Field on April 18. The Eagles won it on Miguel Giral’s walk-off single with two outs in the eighth off Baldwin junior starter John Stragegakos, who worked a complete game with 11 strikeouts. Senior Jake Myles and sophomore Michael Paray, a recent JV call-up, had RBIs in the loss.

Baldwin took the series opener a day earlier, snapping a three-game slide with a 10-0 home win. Junior catcher Reid Hoskins raked at the plate with a three-run homer and a run-scoring double to back the pitching of spot starter Marcus Crawford, who struck out 10 while allowing two hits and two walks.

“Marcus has been our first arm out of the bullpen almost every game we’ve needed someone,” Esposito explained. “He threw really well. He was popping the glove with the fastball and mixing in his other two pitches. If we ever need someone for a four-game week, he’s the guy.”

Crawford took the rotation spot of sophomore Anderson Moreno, who was skipped with a back injury. Esposito expects Moreno to return following this week’s bye and start one of the three games next week against conference-leading Calhoun.

Hoskins’ emergence as a team leader behind the plate has been one of April’s highlights, the coach said. “Reid is taking charge of the whole infield,” Esposito noted. “He’s doing a tremendous job.” 

Paray has provided an offensive boost since returning to the varsity. He went 5-for-9 in the Valley Stream Central series and provided a solid glove at first base. 

“I feel like we’re finally starting to play together as a team,” Esposito said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys and it takes time. We’ve got two tough opponents left in Calhoun and Herricks. If we can play .500 or better over the last six games, we’ll be in the playoffs.”