From Coach Nardiello: Temperatures in the mid-30s and light rain could not dampen the resolve of the team today at Ft. Hamilton HS field. The game was played through the overcast chill — but everything felt sunny on the Engineer’s bench. Twelve hits and 11 walks added to a barrage of offense. Overshadowed was starter Daniel Lo, who threw 4 innings of shutout, no-hit ball in his hometown area of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Our Engineers needed a lopsided win, like this after a rough start to the season. While the weather was far from perfect — the game was.
By scoring 8 runs in the first inning, the visiting Tech Engineers locked this win down early. Aayan Ramamurthy paced at the plate by going 1 for 1, with 3 walks and 3 stolen bases, while scoring three runs. Trevor Nieuwenhuis was 2-for-2, scored 3 runs, walked and doubled. Stats piled up and down the lineup, with Shrey Vertes going 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases — and later took an inning on the pitching mound. Copper Chung had 3 RBI. By the 4th inning, Tech was up by a 12-0 score and stopped stealing bases and taking the extra base as the game was well-decided. Coach sent 9 subs out, including Taiko Ninomiya, in honor of his paternal grandmother who attended/graduated from Ft. Hamilton. Tech’s team grew even more enthusiastic as players recorded their first-ever HS/PSAL base-hits, including Aidon Glennie and Miles Adomanis, who did so in style by ripping a triple into the right-center field gap.
Ft. Hamilton was able to score a few in the 5th inning, but Tech simply turned it once more. By scoring 5 more runs in the 6th inning the Mercy Rule (of 10+ runs) was again in effect and the game was ended.
Local resident and “celebrity” (former Captain) Dylan LaBella visited in our dugout, making it even more fun for the guys, who always enjoy his company.
Orion Ruck digs in against Ft. Hamilton (All photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Julian Ashley at the plate during romp over Ft. Hamilton
Nico Harvey had a big game–at the plate and on the basepaths–against Ft. Hamilton
Enthusiasm from the sidelines lends raucous tone to damp Ft. Hamilton outing.
Aayan Ramamurthy, who would cross the plate three times vs. Ft. Hamilton, on the basepaths in early action
Trevor Nieuwenhuis, who would reach base three times during Ft. Hamilton contest, prepares to connect
Daniel Lo tames Ft. Hamilton bats through four no-hit innings
Shrey Vertes steals second in action against Ft. Hamilton
Jake Rapoport celebrates with the team during Ft. Hamilton romp
Cooper Chung doubles against Ft. Hamilton
Trevor Nieuwenhuis is presented with the ceremonial White Plastic Helmet during Ft. Hamilton game
Jadon Renert applies the tag during Ft. Hamilton action
Kevin Chen swings against Ft. Hamilton
Seamus Cremin Host mans first base during Ft. Hamilton game
Nick Conti in action against Ft. Hamilton
Miles Adomanis triples against Ft. Hamilton
Miles Sedlak at bat against Ft. Hamilton
Taiko Ninomiya on in relief against Ft. Hamilton
Aidan Glennie singles vs. Ft. Hamilton
Shrey Vertes takes the mound against Ft. Hamilton
Aayan Ramamurthy closes Tech out against Ft. Hamilton
From Coach Nardiello: On the road in Staten Island, our Engineers earned their second win of the season and dominated start to finish.
There was something different about our team, today and it was great to see. Playing with confidence, attacking pitches early in counts, players loudly rooted for all teammates’ at-bats while on offense. Defensively, the boys made every play behind two dominating pitchers combining on a two-hitter: sophomore Jadon Renert (2 IP, 3K, ER) and senior Trevor Nieuwenhuis (3 IP, 3K, ER) who picked up the W on his 18th birthday in relief.
Before giving way to player substitutions, the starting offense had 13 Runs and 16 Hits by the fourth inning. Stars of the Game were many and paced by the Engineers first two batters: Aayan Ramamurthy scored 3 runs and went 2-4 with a 2B, RBI and 3 stolen bases, and Orion Ruck had a breakout game going 3-4 with 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored.
Jake Rapoport went 2-for-2 with 2 walks and a stolen base, scored 3 runs, and added an RBI. Batting 4th, Trevor had a rocket double in the 1st inning and went 2-for-2 with a run scored and 2 BBs. Jadon went 2-2 with 3 RBI, Nico Harvey went 2-2 with 2 RBI and scored, shortstop Julian Ashley went 2-3 with 2 RBI, and Cooper Chung went 1-3 with a R and RBI.
Solid win and it lifted the team’s spirits, greatly to a man.
Let’s keep it going!
Cooper Chung at the plate vs. Susan Wagner (All photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Trevor Nieuwenhuis gets his props after shutting down Wagner in relief
Trevor Nieuwenhuis dealing against Susan Wagner
Nico Harvey takes to the basepaths in Wagner romp
Kevin Chen scores standing up, as Tech piles on the runs against Wagner
Jake Rapoport congratulates Julian Ashley, who has just scored in Wagner slugfest
Silas Hubbell meets ball with bat in Wagner contest
Aayan Ramamurthy on the basepaths as usual, this time against Susan Wagner
Another hit! Orion Ruck’s big game against Wagner continues.
From Coach Nardiello: Happy days are here, again! Brooklyn Tech gets first win of the season by a 6-0 score and demonstrated a winning formula that to a man, they hope to continue.
Pitching and defense are keys to our winning, but that faltered across Tech’s first few games. Today was visibly different, as the team made many defensive plays all over the field. The team was sparked early and throughout the game by catcher Cooper Chung who threw out four base-runners (two at third base, and two for the final outs of innings!). Fellow sophomore Taiko Ninomiya got the pitching started and after an infield single and a walk in the 1st inning, clearly settled down confidently. Taiko did scatter 6 walks across his 5 innings, but never allowed a run. He trusted his defense, and it rose to the occasion behind him. For instance, left-fielder Andres Carson turned what was a clean, line-drive single into a force-out at 2nd base, by charging and throwing out the runner trying to advance. Taiko struck out 8 batters, battled throughout but was removed by Coach Joe Nardiello after 93 pitches.
Silas Hubbell pitched the final 2 innings, closing the game in commanding fashion and preserving the 6-0 shutout. He allowed just a hit-batter and struck out 2.
The game was tied for three innings, until the Engineers broke it open in the 4th inning (the only half-inning of the game when either team would score). Scott Manter-Goldberg singled on a hard grounder up the middle. Julian Ashley singled to the right side, sending Scott to third base. Julian promptly stole second base. Shrey Vertes reached first on a dropped third strike, as Scott threatened their defense by faking to race home on the throw to first base. With one out, Jake Rapoport walked for an RBI (he was walked three times during this game). Then, Trevor Nieuwenhuis broke the game open with a rocket single up the middle for 2 RBIs. He moved to second on the relay throw to the plate trying to get Shrey scoring from 2nd base. 3-0. Andres Carson walked to load the bases and Orion Rusk ran for him at first base.
Good things happen, when you put the ball in play. For example: Cooper Chung slapped a ball hard to shortstop, and Madison tried to turn an inning-ending double-play. But, the ball evaded their second-baseman on the flip and rolled 15 feet behind, scoring Jake easily from 3rd base–and surprisingly Trevor from second base (sent by Coach Joe, aggressively), who slid home for the run. The throw home allowed Orion to get to 3rd, and Cooper to hustle into 2nd base. Next batter, Jadon Renert hit a long fly to the outfield for a sac-fly RBI, and our scoring ended at 6-0.
But at last, our offense put the pressure on the other team.
Our Engineers look to do the same as next games are at Wagner HS and at Fort Hamilton, two schools that we have handled, historically. If we play this way, we may find ourselves with a winning streak.
Optimism.
This is what a win feels like. And winning makes the team feel great, as it should, for a job Well Done.
Taiko Ninomiya dominates on the mound vs. James Madison. (All photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Scott Manter-Goldberg looks for the ump’s call at second vs. James Madison.
Miles Adomanis warming up the pitchers.
Trevor Nieuwenhuis with the pickoff attempt at first vs. Madison
Jake Rapoport steps in against James Madison.
Cooper Chung reaches base safely against James Madison
Jadon Renert swings against Madison
Julian Ashley on the basepaths during James Madison contest
Shrey Vertes sprints to first in the fourth inning of James Madison game
Aayan Ramamurthy puts bat to ball against James Madison
Andres Carson welcomed at first by Finn Adomanis during James Madison game
Trevor Nieuwenhuis scores in the fourth inning against James Madison
Julian Ashley awaits the call at second against James Madison
Silas Hubbell closes it out against James Madison
Orion Ruck makes the catch in James Madison game
Seamus Cremin Host with the putout at first vs. James Madison
From Coach Nardiello: Our Engineers were loose on the bus ride out to American Legion Fields in southern Brooklyn. After 4 seasons of renovating their home field, Grand St. selected fields about as far as they can get from their Williamsburg-area school campus. This March day was chilly and featured steady wind and gusts blowing straight out to centerfield that proved tricky for our outfielders.
Our schedule this season starts with the two teams that faced each other at Yankee Stadium. Grand Street is the team that won it all, last season. This year, they seem to be a better hitting team. Wasn’t the most opportune time to get a lesson, but Grand St. just put on a hitting clinic, today.
Daniel Lo got the start and was used to pitching in cold weather (having shut down Monroe HS in the Bronx in preseason). He held them to 2 runs in the 1st inning. But Grand Street reached him for 6 runs on 6 hits by the 2nd inning (and the only 2 walks our team allowed). Our reliever, senior Oliver French just couldn’t fool them and was reached for 4 runs. Grand St. fought off and fouled off tough pitches. They battled in 2-2 and 3-2 counts and slapped base hits the other way. They hit four doubles of their 12 total hits in this 5-inning game. It wasn’t until Taiko Ninomiya came in (1.2 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 2 Ks) that we saw their lineup might actually be calmed. We’ll play them again this season, at Parade Grounds.
Our offense just was not clicking today, as we hit the ball everywhere, but always to someone. Hardly anything was falling and finding holes. Our Engineers had 4 singles in 5 turns at bat, but never got beyond 2nd base. Grand Street only allowed 1 walk (which is the key to winning). Their relievers did not seem very strong, but we needed a run to avoid the Mercy Rule. In the 5th inning we had a runner picked off 1st base which about ended our chances of pushing the game into the 6th and 7th innings.
We’ll start the ’25 season with an 0-3 record. But we’ve been here before and have had strong seasons and learned how to win as we went through the season. Our Engineers will get this show going, soon enough. But this is a game that was lopsided, and you tip your cap and move on. Get better and get them, down the road.
Daniel Lo takes charge on a windy day against defending NYC champs Grand Street (All photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Nico Harvey makes the play at second in early action against Grand Street,
Aayan Ramamurthy calls time in Center Field during Grand Street contest.
Shortstop Julian Ashley snowcones a popup during Grand Street game
Jake Rapoport singles in the fourth inning against Grand Street
Cooper Chung trots to first during Grand Street game.
Orion Ruck batting against Grand Street
Silas Hubbell in action at second against Grand Street
Jake Rapoport patrols first base against Grand Street
Coach Joe inspects a problematic pitching rubber during break in Grand Street game
Oliver French on to pitch against Grand Street
Aayan Ramamurthy demonstrates his customary effort during Grand Street contest, Part One
Aayan Ramamurthy demonstrates his customary effort during Grand Street contest, Part Two
On in relief, Taiko Ninomiya tames the mighty Grand Street bats.
Andres Carson heads to first in Grand Street game
Jake Rapoport flashes optimism from first base at Grand Street
Overconfident Grand Street runner picked off second. Silas Hubbell with the tag
Finn Adomanis stands in against Grand Street
Jadon Renert in action against Grand Street
Shrey Vertes tosses the batting glove after a single in the fifth against Grand Street
Post-game, the Engineers prepare themselves to return to winning ways
From Coach Nardiello: Tech out-hit John Jay in today’s home opener, 9-6 but that’s not the stat that matters most.
Walks have to be limited in High School baseball, but today they became the story of the game. Tech walked 12 batters in the first 3 innings and 14 across the 7-inning game, with two hit-batters adding to the wildness. But it was surely still a “game” when Jay went up by 3 early, and Brooklyn Tech fought back to tie the score, 3-3 in the bottom of the first.
Tech’s starter today, Jake Rapoport had a fear-factor going for him at the outset, having shut down John Jay in last season’s playoffs. But a lead-off walk and single put 2 runners on early, and Jay capitalized on an infield error for a run. After a bases-loaded walk and a hit batter, it was quickly 3-0. Jay exalted that they put 3 runs on a pitcher that they could not hit last year. After the game, Coach Joe said our pitching has to make adjustments at some point, stop trying to pitch to corners and just go right at the batters. Make them swing.
Tech managed to push across runs in the 3rd and 5th innings – but could not rally like we needed to in order to catch up. Scott Manter-Goldberg relieved Jake in the 2nd inning with runners on and in the 3rd inning and threw 2 innings. The score was 9-4 after 3 full innings. Taiko Ninomiya walked 4, and Jay got a booming bases-clearing triple to break the game open as the score reached 13. In all, Tech used six pitchers and the last three (Trevor Niewenhuis, Silas Hubbell, and Miles Sedlak) held Jay to only 1 run in the last 3 innings.
On offense, getting 9 hits is a good thing especially against a Division rival. Our batters were walked 6 times, but we just couldn’t cash in with the 5-6 run outburst we needed, mid-game. Nico Harvey had 2 singles and a 2-out RBI for the Engineers. Seven other Engineers had hits including a booming double by Orion Ruck late in the game over their right-fielder’s head that brought the team to its feet.
To a man, the Engineers felt this game could have had a better outcome, but for the walks (and frankly, many gifted runs) we gave them. At some point, we’ll get this right across the season, but it wasn’t today.
Jake Rapoport returns to the mound against John Jay, 10 months after epic playoff battle (Photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Trevor Nieuwenhuis patrols first base against John Jay
Coach Joe in pensive mood as miscues pile up
Aayan Ramamurthy takes his lead at first against John Jay.
Freshman Andres Carson gets on base early vs. John Jay.
Catcher Cooper Chung in action against John Jay
Finn Adomanis pinch runs for Cooper in John Jay contest
Orion Ruck in action against John Jay.
Trevor Nieuwenhuis warming up the infield between innings during John Jay game.
Andres Carson swinging against John Jay
Shrey Vertes with the relay throw vs. John Jay
Jadon Renert at bat vs. John Jay
Kevin Chen on the basepaths vs. John Jay
Nico Harvey follows through at the plate during Jay game.
Taiko Ninomiya takes charge against John Jay
Trevor Nieuwenhuis on the mound in relief against John Jay
Julian Ashley digs in against John Jay.
Silas Hubbell on the mound facing John Jay
Aidan Glennie checks the runner during John Jay matchup
Oliver French at bat against John Jay.
Miles Sedlak on to pitch during John Jay contest
Oliver French with the infield grab vs. John Jay
Orion Ruck at second base, triumphal, vs. John Jay
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.
Daniel Lo starts the Tech season on the mound vs. John Jay. (All photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Scott Manter-Goldberg applies the tag at second vs. John Jay
Shrey Vertes lines up a pop fly on Opening Day vs. John Jay.
Julian Ashley holds a Jaguar runner close on Opening Day.
Aayan Ramamurthy at the plate on Opening Day
Cooper Chung heads for first on Opening Day vs. John Jay
Trevor Nieuwenhuis patrols first on Opening Day vs. John Jay
Pitching change in the third vs. John Jay
Silas Hubbell on in relief vs. John Jay
Trevor Nieuwenhuis singles to start a Tech rally in the fourth vs. John Jay.
Andres Carson drives the ball on Opening Day vs. John Jay
Trevor Nieuwenhuis makes epic catch vs. John Jay
Jadon Renert takes charge in the fifth vs. John Jay
Cooper Chung dons the tools of ignorance on Opening Day against John Jay
Shrey Vertes and Jake Rapoport look ahead with optimism to the coming season.
Aayan Ramamurthy takes the mound on Opening Day against John Jay.
From Coach Nardiello: Round 2 of PSAL playoffs came close to being a perfect day for our Engineers team and program. For 7 innings, sophomore Jake Rapoport, junior Nico Harvey, and super-freshman Cooper Chung held John Jay to only 2 hits. (They did walk a few, but our defense was also fantastic.) Most of our at-bats proved our guys were clearly battling. Alumni bolstered the bench. Our parents and students were loudly supportive, and we were 1 out from advancing. But? Home field advantage means the other team bats last, and just has to tie it. Which they did. Heartbreaking. Our boys gave it their all, and nearly shocked NYC baseball, legitimately. Our seniors deserve every praise. Our team deserves every applause on another outstanding season in 2024.
More from Coach: It’s been about 24 hours since the Round 2 Playoff at Parade Grounds 3. And I’m still mentally and physically exhausted from it.
In fact, while I usually carry all gear from my car into our home after each game, the Memorial Day weekend exodus afforded a parking space directly in front of my home (thanks to God?), and I just left it all inside, last night until this morning. After entering the statistics into the PSAL website, and getting a flurry of texts & calls from coaches wanting to know about the game, I actually passed out on my couch with the laptop on and the Yankees game (at San Diego) on. And awoke at 1:30am or so to get upstairs and call it a day. The shovel, rake and tamper are now in my basement for the Summer. The car is close to being cleared out, although there’s still clay bricks and bases. Now I just have to clear my living room of large gear bags, take them back to Tech’s storage room and vacuum all the Parade Ground dust out of the Volvo. Maybe the benefit of being eliminated from the playoffs. Is my wife’s regrowing happiness with a clean car and less baseball stuff apparent in the house?
A NEAR-PERFECT ENDING.
Our boys did all they could for the length of that epic game. Giving the #3 seeded team all it can handle. As I’d posted on our Facebook pages they played their hearts out (Friends of Brooklyn Tech Baseball and Friends of Brooklyn Tech Group pages, with video) and were maybe 1″ from a great catch in CF for a win that would have resounded across NYC high schools. I wanted this for them, as a memory of an ultimate accomplishment and the continuation for a march to Yankee Stadium (without ever mentioning that). We would have played Beacon next Wednesday, same field as we set-up for a non-league game on that cold, windy March day. After the game, some John Jay players commented that they thought we had them beaten. And thought our Engineers could have beaten Beacon HS behind Hugo/SP. I thought so, as well. So close!
But we had our parents and their friends out in force. And 5-6 recent alums in our dugout, helping and strategizing and supporting our players loudly. They wanted this for our present guys and for the legacy of beating an ascending rival/ team that recruits players and transfers, based on baseball ability. We never took ANYthing for granted, right to the last pitch. And each move, each at-bat and each pitch and play was a focused struggle and competitive feat. Winning 1-0 as a visiting team is near impossible at the Parade Grounds, as so many ground balls can become an adventure – but we were doing the impossible. Jake, Nico, Cooper combined for a 2-hitter and into the extra innings, they just got to Jadon a little bit. And that’s all that was really needed. A team that scores 10-20+ runs a game.. and destroyed Grand St., Midwood, etc. etc., just got by us, 2-1. That team is filled with players that are far less centered and disciplined and they did say some things that upset some of our boys – but tempers stayed cool, even in that heat. We are the better team, no matter the score. And that is not just a throw-away Coach’s line. It’s part of the fabric of each boy on this team. Even the boys surrounding them in the greater Baseball club and their friends at school know it. They can walk with heads held high, when they get back to Tech on Tuesday.
SENIOR EMBRACES.
Cannot say enough about this year’s seniors. Many let emotions out. Some angered by it ending. Some saddened and some both. Some frustrated they couldn’t do more. Some understanding that each game ahead would have been another chance to shine. But it was cut short. We spoke openly in RF – and heard from Val, Dylan, Cooper, Jonesy, and Devin. Trying to put it all into perspective, to help cope and to allow the boys to feel what they want. And speak it. Coach Eli and myself praised them, and the effort. Some of the senior Captains spoke openly from the heart about what it meant to them and how short the last 3-4 years felt.
RECENT ALUMNI visits
Across the season, recent alums asked to come back, take part and see what’s going on with the team or just visit at the fields or at Tech. Some lifted spirits in dugouts. And that works the other way, as the current HS boys can hear first-hand information about a flurry of colleges from Chicago to Boston to Indiana, NY State and beyond. Thanks go to: Val Tartamella/Capt, Dylan LaBella/C, Robert Reatz, Russ Silverman/C, Owen Bassett, Morgan Small, Aryan Kahtri, Devin Yuan, Aiku Chalmers, Maddux Clarke, Mark DeDona/C, Jonesy O’Keefe/C, Cooper Gee/C, Cassius Brook-Dempsey, Johnny Yang, Waveland James and Josh Lee. I wanted to recognize and thank them – and always keep the door open for our current seniors (if they want to even come by and let the younger ones know what life is like, starting in the Fall).
Zach Harwayne steps up to the plate against John Jay in round 2 of the playoffs. [All photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis]
Sawyer Reo at bat vs. John Jay.
Hugo Tosler swings against John Jay.
Trevor Nieuwenhuis at work against John Jay.
Playoff excitement in the Tech dugout during John Jay game.
Jake Rapoport takes charge against John Jay. (Rare photo with hat).
Sawyer Reo holds John Jay runner on in playoff contest.
Zach Harwayne heads for first against John Jay.
Jake Rapoport settles in against John Jay.
Trevor Nieuwenhuis on the pickoff attempt against John Jay.
Sawyer Reo moves into position against John Jay.
Aayan Ramamurthy lays down the bunt vs. John Jay.
Engineers strike first, as Orion Ruck scores on wild pitch!
Ricky Nunez in late-inning action against John Jay.
Jake Rapoport congratulated on his outstanding start against John Jay.
“Time, blue!” Coach Joe makes a move in the John Jay playoff game.
Logan Reiman during the John Jay game.
Simon Sherber-Brennan puts the ball in play vs. John Jay.
Trevor Nieuwenhuis at the plate during John Jay playoff matchup.
Cooper “Prodigy” Chung on in relief during John Jay playoff.
Playoff heartbreak, as an early lead slips away.
Coach Joe draws lessons and inspiration from a memorable season.
From Coach Nardiello: Down 0-4 after 5 innings in the “win or go home” PSAL playoffs, our Tech Engineers came back to stun the Lincoln Railsplitters, 5-4. Our ace Hugo Tosler was dominant with 10Ks in 5 innings. But in the 3rd inning, walks, errors and good hitting gave Lincoln a 4-0 lead.
Our offense was slowed early by balls batted right at their fielders. And two innings ended on seeming foul-balls off a leg and foot (but were not called or seen by umps and called ground balls, for outs). But Tech was just not ready to end the season. Hugo stopped them from scoring any further across the 4th and 5th, and Cooper Chung pitched the final two with the same resolve.
Scoring two in the 5th gave our Engineers some hope. Chipping away another run in the 6th felt good. But the team really came alive with 1-out when Ricky Nunez walked. Hugo singled (scoring Ricky), Zach Harwayne singled and Trevor Niuewenhuis hit a sacrifice-fly to RF to chase Hugo home with the go ahead run! Cooper Chung saved the game–literally–with 0 BBs, 4Ks across the 6/7th innings, and shut the door for the Win. Our parents and 8 recent alums on hand to cheer on the team really set a positive & supportive & winning tone.
Tech Victorious. On to the second round! [All photos by Vera Nieuwenhuis]
Hugo Tosler defies gravity, moments after Brooklyn Tech defied Abraham Lincoln.
Zach Harwayne at the plate vs. Abraham Lincoln.
Trevor Nieuwenhuis makes the put-out at first vs. the Railsplitters.
Playoff Baseball 1: Sawyer Reo protects second against Lincoln’s base-stealers.
Simon Sherber-Brennan applies the tag at second vs. Lincoln.
Playoff Baseball 2: Hugo Tosler refuses to lose to Abraham Lincoln.
Coach Nardiello in the playoff spirit.
Ricky Nunez at the plate vs. Lincoln
Tech alums present for the Big Game.
Aayan Ramamurthy takes a cut vs. Lincoln.
Sawyer Reo lines the ball vs. Lincoln
Playoff Baseball 3: Freshman Cooper Chung handles high-stress assignment with style.
The comeback: Ricky Nunez scores the tying run.
Moderate excitement in the dugout with the game back in hand.
Who else but Hugo Tosler would score the go-ahead run?
Trevor Nieuwenhuis records out #1 in the seventh.
Cooper Chung waits for victory to drop into his mitt.
From Coach Nardiello: Regular season ends with a tough 9-2 loss on Senior Day to Scholars Academy. Spirits were lifted immediately, however, as Senior Day was celebrated on field at 7pm — along with outpouring of clear bonds, love & support they have for each other. Our parents are fantastic! Thank you to all for bringing it all season (and for the pizza, cupcakes, snacks!)–and Vera for making a lifelong memory for seniors with a giant “baseball card” for each!
Game-wise, our bats were slowed by a crafty pitcher, and when we did hit him hard, 5-6 Runs (maybe more) were saved by rally-ending catches/plays by their CF & SS. Archer Tsang pitched into the 4th in a 0-0 game, but our staff surrendered walks enough, that a hit here & there led to 6 Runs. We couldn’t rally back, but do have a non-league game on Saturday to get our mojo back on the field.
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