By:TONY BELLISSIMO
The Colts didn't win their conference, though come tournament time they proved to be one of the best teams on Long Island. They persevered in the Nassau Class A tournament, rolling to the championship series and beating East Meadow in three games to claim the title. Then against Connetquot in the LI final, they won a game for the ages, a 4-3 thriller that solidified them as a team of destiny.
Last Saturday, Calhoun's truly magical season came to a close with a 3-0 loss to Schenectady in a New York State Class A semifinal at Griffiss Park Field in Rome. Senior pitcher Casper Wells led the Patriots, firing a three-hitter with one walk and 12 strikeouts.
"I didn't think there was a pitcher out there that could shut us down," Coach Joe Corea said. "He had a live fastball, a very good slider, and he hit his spots. We tried to move the few base-runners we had, but we couldn't hit and run with any success."
Wells had at least one strikeout in every inning and struck out the side in the bottom of the third. For four innings, Wells was nearly matched by Calhoun sophomore hurler Andrew Raschen, who was highly effective before leaving with a strained pitching arm.
"Andrew had a great year, and he pitched well until he got hurt," Corea said. "He had a little twinge, and then he aggravated it between the fourth and fifth innings."
Schenectady took a 1-0 lead in the third when Nick DeGasperis walked, stole second and moved to third on a bunt single that turned into a double for Jeremy Callahan because second base was unguarded. Though DeGasperis was gunned down at home plate by Colts' senior third baseman John Frank on a great play following a suicide squeeze, Callahan was eventually driven in by Wells for the game's first run.
It turned out to be the only run Wells would need.
Raschen tried to start the top of the fifth but gave way to junior Dan Meyer after a few warm-up tosses. Meyer was greeted rudely by the Patriots, who scored two runs on three hits to build a comfortable 3-0 advantage.
"We still had three at-bats at that point, and I thought maybe we could get the offense going," Corea said. "It was the first time in a long time that we didn't find a way to get it done."
Patriots' catcher Ryan Bouck caught two runners trying to steal in the early innings, and Calhoun managed only two base-runners over the last three innings. Senior catcher Chris Medici and junior outfielders Jesse Germinario and Frank Locascio had the Colts' hits.
"We had an amazing ride, and it took one of the best pitchers in the state to stop us," Corea said. "I've said all along that this group of kids was special, and what a special season they had. They'll never forget it, and I'll never forget it."
