Baldwin splits playoff games

It’s better to be the Hunter than the hunted.

That was the case May 23 when Syosset’s Ryan Hunter starred with six goals and one assist in its 17-7 victory over Baldwin in a Nassau Class A boys’ lacrosse semifinal playoff game at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.

Hunter scored four times in the first half when the second-seeded Braves opened a surprising 10-2 lead on the way to punching their ticket to the county title game, where they’ll meet No. 1 Massapequa. John Diaz added a hat trick and won 60 percent (12 of 20) of face-offs and Andrew Keith chipped in two goals, while the third-seeded Bruins were led by seniors Mike Ainbinder (three goals), Austin Valenti (two goals, two assists), and goalie Brett Dadiego (18 saves.)

Baldwin, which opened the playoffs with a 9-4 victory over East Meadow on May 15, finished the year with 11 wins. The Bruins scored seven first-half goals in the first-round triumph while Dadiego (nine saves) allowed just one goal in the second half.

“What I’m most upset about is not getting another week to spend with the kids,” Baldwin coach Rich Garguilo said. “It’s really a great group led by an outstanding group of seniors.”

With five postseason goals, Ainbinder reached 50 for a second straight year and paced the team in that department. The big lefty attack closed his career scoring at least twice in each of the last eight games, including a career-best seven goals in a victory over Freeport on May 4. “I think he’s going to do very well at the next level,” Garguilo said of the All-County selection headed to Stevens Tech.

Valenti, also an All-County choice, led the Bruins in assists with 42 and in points with 70. He scored 28 goals to rank second on the squad. He set up senior Patrick Dillon’s goal 5:38 into the semifinal game to get Baldwin on the board, but Syosset scored the next five and led 7-1 just three minutes into the second quarter.

Ainbinder scored twice and Valenti once in the third quarter of the semis, but the Braves kept the pressure on Dadiego & Co. and found the net five times. Still, the Air Force-bound two-time All-County goalie came up with some big in-tight saves on a day when little went right for the Bruins. “Brett’s going to do a fine job representing Baldwin at the next level,” Garguilo said. “He’ll be missed. He’s been a major part of the program for four years.”

The team loses 17 players to graduation, including defenders Derrick Darnulc (All-County) and Dom Gubelli, and face-off specialist Matt Hayes, but will return a good deal of talent in 2013. Junior Pat Hannon had 18 goals, including two in the playoffs against East Meadow, Honorable Mention All-County sophomore Tyler Warner had 15 goals and 19 assists, sophomore Gerard Lyle found the net six times, and sophomore Mylz Wilson and freshmen Nick DeLuca (All-Conference) played key roles on defense.