Mixed results for Lawrence

If Lawrence somehow falls a game or two short of reaching the Nassau Class A baseball playoffs, it won’t be too difficult for coach Dennis Leonard to find reasons why.

The Golden Tornadoes settled for a split of their eight Conference A-III/IV crossover games after letting one for the ages get away against Great Neck North on the first day of spring break April 18. In the second game of a rare doubleheader, the Blazers rallied with 10 runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings, then won 16-15 in walk-off fashion after Lawrence regained the lead with a run in the top of the 10th.

“I’ve never seen, been a part of, or heard of anything like it,” Leonard said of the heartbreaking loss. “We have to leave it behind, but not forget about it.”

Five defensive errors aided Great Neck North’s seventh-inning rally, which was capped by bases-loaded triple off the bat of Matt Mueller. After Lawrence sophomore Eddie Robinson drove in a run in the top of the 10th for a 15-14 lead, run-scoring hits by Peter LoDuca and Bryan Baiman won it for the Blazers.

The Golden Tornadoes (5-4 after defeating Lynbrook on Tuesday afternoon) won Game 1 against Great Neck North, 12-3, behind a gem from senior pitcher Brandon Burrell. He had a no-hitter through five innings before being lifted due to injury concerns. “Brandon was plagued by injuries last year and I didn’t want to risk anything,” Leonard said. “We need him for the next three series. He’s a complete pitcher with a great curveball.”

Burrell has picked up three wins, and junior A.J. Gallo and sophomore Mike Pappalardo earned one apiece. Robinson has been solid in relief.

Gallo, who was in line to get the win in the second game against Great Neck North, came out of the gate strong with a four-hit, seven-strikeout performance in a 6-3 victory over Valley Stream South. He didn’t allow an earned run and got offensive support from senior Matt Komisarjevsky and juniors Anthoney Montilli and Stephen Komisarvevsky. Each drove in a pair of runs.

Gallo’s bat is a key in the lineup, Leonard said, and the coach feels it’s just a matter of time before it heats up. “A.J. had a tough start at the plate, but he’s a talented hitter who had five homers last year,” Leonard said. “He made a few adjustments and I think he’ll get back to tearing it up.”

Montilli, who crushed JV pitching for the past two years, has continued to swing a powerful bat at the next level. He’s been handling the pressure of the clean-up spot just fine, Leonard said, and sharing first base with senior Jason Gray.

Gray had a game-winning sacrifice fly to complete a sweep of West Hempstead prior to spring break. Pappalardo scattered four hits and fanned six in his first varsity win.

While the defense can stand to be more consistent, Leonard is pleased the offense is keeping the Golden Tornadoes in every game. Senior shortstop Lucas Siegel makes things happen at the top of the lineup.