Tigermedia - CUNY Athletic Conference: Men's Community College Baseball Finals: Queensborough vs. Kingsborough CC (2016)
CUNY Athletic Conference: Men's Community College Baseball Finals: Queensborough vs. Kingsborough CC (2016)
Date: May 10th, 2016
Duration:
2h:55m:12s
Game commentary by QCC alumni David Russell.
Game recap article from CUNY Athletics website:
http://www.cunyathletics.com/news/2016/5/9/CCBSB_0509163924.aspx?path=ccbaseball
#1 Kingsborough Wave 7, #2 Queensborough Tigers 4
The 2016 CUNYAC/MCU Community College Baseball Championship featured a matchup of the top two seeds. The Kingsborough Wave would come out victorious in this one, winning by a score of 7-4 over the Queensborough Tigers to redeem their championship loss in last year's title game.
"This was an exciting win," said Kingsborough head coach Jimmy Ryan. "Second win in three years. The guys worked hard all year long [starting] from September. It's a great win for the coaches, for the team, for the school, for everybody. I liked our chances. We were the best team this year statistically. We had the best hitting team, the best pitching team in the CUNYAC. But, it is one game and Chris Miller [Queensborough's starting pitcher] is a very good pitcher. We got a big hit by Isaiah Polanco to really ice the game."
In the top of the first inning, Queensborough manufactured a run thanks to an error by the Wave. After a hit by pitch put a runner in second, shortstop Andrew Perez hit a single to right field. A strong throw home made for a close play at the plate, but the runner avoided the catcher's tag to dive in safely. In the bottom of the first inning, Kingsborough would respond. Center fielder Eric Ricardo started the rally with a single up the middle. A steal of second and a passed ball put him on third, where a single by Isaiah Polanco would drive him in. A sacrifice fly by pitcher and designated hitter Derek Jentz gave the Wave a 2-1 lead at the end of the first inning.
Kingsborough's problems in the field would continue to plague them in the third inning. The Tigers' Joel Luna started the inning with a bloop single to right field. On his successful steal of second, the ball got away from the shortstop which allowed him to go to third. A passed ball immediately after would send him home. A walk and a double then put runners on second and third with Perez at the plate again. This time, he would smash a double over the left fielder's head and against the wall to drive in both runners. Two strikeouts from Kingsborough would get them out of a bases loaded jam, but not before the damage was done as the score was now 4-2 in favor of the Tigers.
An immediate comeback was mounted by the Wave. Shortstop Jonathon Bianchino would single to leadoff the frame. After a walk put him on second, a weak grounder to the pitcher was thrown away, allowing him to score. With runners now on second and third, a balk would move both runners over and allow the run to score. A line drive to left field would be dropped, plating another run for the Wave. A double play ended the inning with the Wave on top by a score of 5-4.
Pitching and defense would highlight the game from the fourth through sixth innings. The score would remain the same until the bottom off the seventh inning when Kingsborough would take control. A hit-by-pitch and a walk gave the Wave momentum to win the game. Another walk loaded the bases for Polanco. He would once again come through, sending a single to the outfield that plated two runners. This clutch hit would add the insurance runs needed to close out the game. Starting pitcher Derek Jentz did not allow another hit from the seventh through ninth innings, sealing the deal by inducing a double play to end it.
"This was a great game," coach Ryan said. "Hats off to Roger [Mischel, Queensborough head coach] and his staff, they did a great job. Chris Miller was outstanding tonight and we were still able to get the win. Derek Jentz on the mound gave us a great performance."
Jentz went all nine innings to pick up the win and the championship for the Wave. He pitched a complete game, giving up four runs with only two being earned. He gave up seven hits but struck out six in a strong outing.
About what gave him the confidence to leave Jentz in the game, Ryan said, "He only had 108 pitches going into the game and we figured we can get him up around 115. He was out there throwing strikes and we didn't want to take somebody out of the game who's throwing strikes."
Polanco earned the honor of Most Valuable Player for his performance and all his efforts in this game. He finished 2 for 3 with a walk, two singles, 3 runs batted in, one run scored, and a steal. He also played great defense as the starting right fielder, including a full extension catch in the right center field gap to take away an extra base hit while he sprinted at full speed.
"[My teammates] gave us the momentum and put us on the right path to win" said Championship MVP Isaiah Polanco about his teammates getting on base and putting him in the position to drive them in. He also complimented his pitcher by saying, "Derek [Jentz] did an amazing job to keep us in the game. It was a well pitched game and he was able to finish it."
For Kingsborough, this championship is their second in three years. They were also the regular season champions, which earned them the #1 seed in the tournament. This title is their fourth championship in CUNYAC history.