Chaotic fifth inning dooms Tech on Opening Day vs. John Jay

3/20/25

From Coach Nardiello: Every team looks forward to Opening Day. The game was competitive with a 4-2 score through 4 ½ innings. However, by the bottom of the 5th inning of this 2025 PSAL season, it became a game every one of us would like to forget. The March conditions were overcast, damp with a wind chill that lowered the 45 degrees. Fog descended beyond the outfield, maybe an ominous sign. But Brooklyn Tech was ready to face off against a division rival at Parade Grounds Field 3, with starter Daniel Lo (2.2IP, 3K,ER, 4 BB) pitching well. Tech’s defensive was back on its heels, and Daniel parted, down 3-1 but keeping his team with striking distance. Our Engineers showed some fire to get runs back, loading the bases with 0 outs in the 2nd inning. A walk, single and walk set the stage (causing Jay’s coach to visit the mound). With the crowd and Tech’s dugout shouting and the excitement clearly raised, Brooklyn then let Jay off the hook. Strikeout. Strikeout. Pop-up.

In the 4th inning, Tech put runners on and cashed-in as Jay’s shortstop threw a routine ground-ball passed first-base and into right-field for Tech’s first run. Silas Hubbell relieved and was touched with an unearned run as an infield error allowed Jay to go up, 4-1. Coach Joe Nardiello encouraged the team that they “gifted” 3 runs, and still were very much in the game. Tech responded by loading the bases yet again, with 0 outs. With 1 out, senior Captain Trevor Nieuwenhuis lined a shot to rightfield that was gloved. Scott Manter-Goldberg who walked to start the rally, scored by tagging up from 3rd base and deftly avoiding the tag attempt at home plate. The 4-2 score seemed closer, and the team was up. But all that energy was lost with a bottom of the 5th inning that seemed endless. After an error and misplays loaded the bases with 0 outs for John Jay, Silas was relieved. Sophomore Jadon Renert walked his first batter, but then settled down somewhat and got an out on a come-backer. Coach Joe counted 4 outs that were not made after the next batter popped up to foul ground just beyond 3rd base. Tech just could not get the outs that Jay were giving us, all inning. Walks and slapped hits kept coming. Senior Captain Aayan Ramamurthy came into from center-field to try and end the inning, but a walk and single ended the game.