All-Star game rescheduled

As many of you know (or should know by now), the Oneida County American Legion All-Star Game had to be postponed due to unplayable field conditions at DeLutis Field this past Sunday.

The game has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 17th at DeLutis Field. The game starts at 7 p.m. with an Awards Ceremony beforehand at 6:45 p.m.

Smith Post: The Aftermath

There's only so much you can say or write about a baseball game (or any game) to try and convey the action to those who couldn't be there.

http://www.uticaod.com/sports/x1806338441/Smith-falls-in-final

In today's Observer-Dispatch, I tried my best to give readers an in-depth account of yesterday's American Legion New York State championship game. As I'm sure most all of you know by now, Smith Post fell to Anaconda 9-8 in that game - an 11-inning heartbreaker.

However, I realize there are many more things that I simply could not fit into that article that tell so much more about Smith and its season. So, I thought I'd post the transcripts of my interviews with three Smith players - Jason Nowicki, Kyle Richardson, and Zack Ciccotti - and the two Smith coaches - manager Tony Abone Sr. and coach Tony Abone Jr. - so that you all can hear (from them) about this season, and what it's meant to them. It will also provide you with their thoughts on yesterday's game.

Jason Nowicki (final year with Smith)
AD: Try to sum up for me this season.
JN: It’s was just an amazing season. I’ve been playing base for, I don’t even know how many years, but this has been my favorite season of all; one I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Great teammates; we’re like a family in here. You can tell that everyone’s a little upset now. But, it’ll get better every day. For the overall season, I couldn’t ask for anything more in my last year. Just that state title, that would have been the top.

AD: Looking back on this week, you guys lost on the first day, and then you fought back to make all the way to this game. You were right there. What does that say about this team?
JN: The resiliency on this team is just amazing. We knew what happened the first day. We knew had to win a couple games to get to the big one, and see what happens. We showed a lot of heart this week. We really did.

AD: Looking back on your legion career – these past three years – tell me what this team has meant to you, and what playing for Smith has meant to you?
JN: Playing for Smith – around the state of New York – it’s the best legion program there is. The years here just go by so quick. I’ll remember these years for the rest of my life – my three favorite baseball years. To go to the state tournament three times – couldn’t come out on top – but the three years that I had were just phenomenal. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I really couldn’t.

Kyle Richardson (one year of eligibility remaining)
AD: You lost your first game of the tournament, and then you fought all the way back to this point. Tell me what that tells you about your team?
KR: We have a lot of fight. We worked hard. We had a little bit of luck along the way, but you can’t do it without the heart that we had. We bounced back after that first day and did everything we could. We played a good game today. We lost some opportunities, but so did they. That’s the way the game goes and they came out with the win.

AD: Bases loaded in the ninth inning – what didn’t happen there that needed to happen?
KR: It’s just chance. It’s getting hit then instead of another time; me getting a hit on the first pitch instead of getting hit in the back. It’s just the way things happen.

Zack Ciccotti (two years of eligibility remaining)
AD: You guys had a chance with bases loaded in the top of the ninth. What do you think it was? What just didn’t click there?
ZC: We just weren’t capitalizing. We tried to fight. Maybe we were tired; I don’t know. We tried to give it everything we had. That’s the game of baseball. Stuff happens life that – a strikeout and a fly-out. You can’t really do much. We tried everything we could to fight to win this game. We were up 8-4 in the bottom of the eighth. We blew the game.

AD: What are your thoughts when you think about this season?
ZC: I just love the players I played with. We did have a great year. It would have been better if we won a state championship, but the year was phenomenal. This is the best team I’ve ever played on in my life – hands down.

AD: Coming back next year, I know you guys lose some key players. Having said that, what do you think the potential is for the future of this team?
ZC: We’re still going to be good next year. We’ve got young guys still coming up. We’ve still got Joe (Melioris) if he comes back; maybe (Garrett) Baker if he wants to come back. We can battle it out next year; maybe win the counties again. We have a good team coming back, and we have a good coach. I think coach is going to get us in shape and make us a good team.

Smith Manager Tony Abone Sr.
AD: Try to sum up this season for me.
TA Sr.: We just had a great, great year. These kids worked hard all summer long. They practiced every night. They worked hard. Even thought we didn’t win the state championship, we were runner-up, and there are 157 other teams in the state that would like to be right where we are. We’re very proud of the kids. They gave it all they had. We just ran a little short. We had our opportunities. We had a four-run lead. But those things happen in baseball. They were just a little bit hungrier than we were, but you can’t ask for a better bunch of kids than we have here.

AD: What does it say about your programs that our team has made it to the state tournament three years in a row now, and finished runner-up in the last two?
TA Sr.: We have a great program. We just get so much support. We had people coming here from all over, and listening on the radio and reading the paper’s coverage. The kids are just proud to be here. I know they’re disappointed, but what are you going to do? You can’t win them all. And we had, what, 31 wins this year? That’s a lot of wins.

Smith Coach Tony Abone Jr.
AD: You guys had the bases loaded in the ninth, with probably the two guys (Ryan Kramer and Nate Mallinder) you wanted coming up to hit. Go through your thought process with me there, and on through how the game ended?
TA Jr.: We hit the starter (Aaron Sapp) early on. He throws hard, but he was right down the middle of the plate. We had a good plan going to the plate. When he came back in, actually we were kind of excited. We hit him pretty good. We had the same plan – just look fastball. He wasn’t getting anything else over the plate. Ryan Kramer battled him and battled him on the one strikeout. He fouled him off a couple of times and then he got him. And then Nate flew out. That happens. You go back to the Ilion game where Nate hits the inside-the-park homerun. It happens. We had more opportunities. We were up early and then they kind of scratched back in, and then we went up again. When it was 8-4, at that time, we felt pretty good. We were thinking, let’s just get outs, let’s get outs. And then a little dink here, a little dink there, and then the double there. Then the wheels started falling off there. We had no more gas. We played two games in a day and six games in five days. Everybody gave everything they had…Like I told these guys, ‘You guys battled and that’s all we can ask you to do. Today you didn’t come out as the winner, but, you’re winners. To go 31-5 as we did, and win the games that we did, and how we won the game. You can’t ask for any more than that; we go 11 innings in the state championship game.

AD: You have Kyle (Richardson), Garrett (Baker), and Joe (Melioris). They’ve been your three big guys all year. None of them were pitching on full rest today. What does it show you about them that they put it all on the line today?
TA Jr.: They’re grinders. They all work real hard. They’ve all been in it ever since Little League on up. They’ve always been the big-game pitchers all the way on up. They showed it this week. When we needed to get outs, they got outs. When we were down and needed an arm to go in, we got an arm to go in. That’s a credit to those kids. They’ve got a lot of pride in themselves. They’ve got a lot of confidence in themselves. All three of them have been in big-game situations in high school and legion ball. They’re going to be successful in whatever they do in life. They stuck this out in a situation where some guys would fold.

On the final outcome of the season...
TA Jr.: No complaints. Yeah, we’re a little disappointed. Like I told them, “It will hurt for a few days, and you’ll think about the ifs and what’s and all that kind of stuff. But, in another week or two, you’ll be real happy that we went this far. It was a great journey.

Check in later for more on Smith Post

I talked to a few Smith Post players after the game - Jason Nowicki, Kyle Richardson and Zack Ciccotti - as well as Smith manager Tony Abone Sr. and coach Tony Abone Jr. following the heartbreaking loss. I'll post more details from our talks in a blog post later.

While all the guys were visibly upset - a few were in tears - they understand the magnitude of what they have accomplished as a team, and said they know they'll look back on the season with very positive memories.

Until tomorrow, good night legion fans and take care.

FINAL: Anaconda 9, Smith 8 (11 inn.)

The American Legion New York State championship game between the Anaconda Indians and Smith Post will start at approximately 3 p.m.

I'm going to grab something to eat and will fill you guys in on the starting lineups and other game notes when I return...

UPDATE (2:58 p.m.): I just got re-settled in up here in the press box. The grounds did a great job of cleaning up the field while I was chowing down on some pizza at Tuscan Pizza in downtown Newburgh.

We're likely about 20-25 minutes from the first pitch of the state championship. Anaconda is taking its infield-outfield warmups as I type. Smith will follow.

UPDATE (3:05 p.m.): I spoke with Smith's Jason Nowicki during the break. Jason was a legion rookie in 2006 when I was in my last year with New Hartford. He was hanging out in the dugout and was sporting a very determined demeanor. The first thing he said to me was, "I'm not finishing second in the state two years in row."

I also found out that Kyle Richardson will be starting on the hill for Smith. Richardson threw six innings in Friday's 9-6 victory over defending state champion Melvin Roads. While he likely won't have his best stuff, Richardson is also very determined to top last year's second-place finish. Richardson can only pitch six innings as per American Legion rules (a pitcher can only throw a maximum of 12 innings in a consecutive three-day stretch).

When I asked Nowicki if Garrett Baker might be able to go if needed, before he could even answer, Baker who was sitting a few people down from Nowicki, said, "No way." Baker was rubbing some pain-relief cream on his arm after picking up the four-out save in today's semifinal game.

Nowicki did say that Smith will likely go with Ryan Kramer as the first reliever, followed by Dustin Colgan.

Starting lineups:
Smith (31-4-1)
1. Kyle Richardson, P
2. Ryan Kramer, SS
3. Nate Mallinder, CF
4. Zack Ciccotti, C
5. Jason Nowicki, LF
6. Joe Melioris, 3B
7. Ryan Marquette, 1B
8. Eli Hendrington, 2B
9. Ryan Cooke, RF
Pitcher: Kyle Richardson, RHP

Anaconda (41-9-1)
1. Aaron Pennings, 3B
2. Billy Nikolski, CF
3. Aaron Sapp, P
4. Bobby McLaughlin, 2B
5. Eddie Shivley, SS
6. Shawn Kennedy, 1B
7. Alex Massaroni, RF
8. Mike Center, LF
9. Mike Fischer, C
Pitcher: Aaron Sapp, RHP

*Anaconda's lineup today looks a bit different today than it did in last night's 4-3 loss to Smith. That's because normal right fielder, and No. 2 hitter, Jordan Pennings is suspended from today's game after being ejected in last night's contest. J. Pennings threw his bat after being called out on strikes to end last night's game. Under American Legion rules, any player who is ejected from a tournament game is automatically ineligible for the rest of the tournament (unless the tournament director decides otherwise).

*As has been the case for the entire tournament, Smith again has the bigger cheering section in this game. In fact, the Smith fans likely outnumber those of Anaconda at least two-to-one (if not three-to-one). And you could tell without even looking in the stands. The Smith fans are loud...really loud!

UPDATE (3:20 p.m.): We'll be underway in just a few minutes as the introductions for each teams have concluded. The American Legion code of sportsmanship will be performed, followed by the National Anthem, and then we'll kick off the state championship game.

*Smith will be the visiting team. And the chants of "Let's go Smith Post" have already started as the Smith fans belted it out on Richardson's walk up to the plate to lead off the game.

Top 1st: Richardson doubled to the gap in right-center to lead off. After failing to get a bunt down in fair territory, Kramer grounded out to Sapp (who checked Richardson back to second) for the first out. Mallinder grounded out 6-3 for the second out (Richardson advanced to third on the play). Ciccotti popped out to the catcher in foul territory for the third out.

Bottom 1st: Pennings got beaned in the shoulder to lead off. Nikolski popped up a bunt right to Richardson for the first out (Pennings just beat Richardson's throw back to first for the double play). A goose just landed in left field and caused a short pause in the game as one of the umpires had to chase it off the field. Sapp grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice for the second out. McLaughlin was retired on a broken bat fly out to Nowicki in left to end the inning.

Smith 0, Anaconda 0

*If the first inning was any indication of what we can expect in this championship game, we're in for quite the treat. Why? Well, not only did we have a goose roaming around left field, but an aluminum bat broke cleanly in half - those two things don't happen all that often, much less in the same half inning.

Top 2nd: Nowicki singled through the hole on the left side of the infield to lead off. Melioris took the first pitch through the hole on the right side of the infield for another single, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Marquette dropped down a beautiful 1-3 sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third with one out. Hendrington fought off an inside fastball for an RBI single to right, scoring Nowicki from third (runners on the corners, one out). Smith 1, Anaconda 0. Cooke hit an RBI single to right to score Melioris from third. Smith 2, Anaconda 0. Hedrington was cut down by the right fielder, trying to go from first to third, for the second out. Richardson popped out to the shortstop for the third out.

Bottom 2nd: Shivley grounded out 6-3 for the first out. Kennedy grounded out to Melioris at third for the second out. Massaroni bombed a two-out triple to the gap in left-center. Massaroni came on an error as Center's groundball squeaked through the legs of Melioris at third. Smith 2, Anaconda 1. Fischer popped out weakly to Kramer to end the inning.

Smith 2, Anaconda 1

Top 3rd: Kramer struck out on a check swing that was appealed to the first baseman (who said he went) for the first out. Mallinder struck out swinging on a nice offspeed pitch from Sapp for the second out. Ciccotti reached on a bloop single to center that was just out of the reach of the diving second baseman. Nowicki lined a single up the middle (it nearly hit Sapp in the back) into center to put runners on first and second with two outs. Melioris grounded out 4-3 for the third out.

Bottom 3rd: Pennings struck out swinging for the first out. Nikolski reached on an infield single as his hard-hit grounder ricocheted off Richardson and toward Kramer, but Kramer's throw to first was just late. Sapp struck out looking for the second out. Nikolski stole second, but McLaughlin struck out swinging on the next pitch to end the inning.

*The Anaconda fans (who seem to have grown a bit since the game's start) have started a chant of their own. They're doing the well-known Florida State Seminoles and Atlanta Braves war chant. As a Miami Hurricane, you can rest assured that I cannot stand that chant! I don't like it when the Seminoles do it, and therefore I'm not really enjoying it right now.

Smith 2, Anaconda 1

Top 4th: Marquette doubled to right-center to lead off. Hedrington laid down a 3-4 sacrifice bunt, moving Marquette to third with one out. Cooke hit an RBI single (his second of the game) to left, scoring Marquette from third. Smith 3, Anaconda 1. Richardson reached on a bad-hop single that shot past the third baseman, putting runners on first and second with one out. Kramer struck out looking on a full-count fastball that caught the inside corner for the second out. Mallinder grounded out 4-3 for the third out.

Bottom 4th: Shivley roped a single to right on the first pitch to lead off. Kennedy flew out to center for the first out. Massaroni struck out looking for the second out. Center dropped a base-hit into left-center to put runners on first and second with two outs. Fischer flew out to Nowicki just in front of the warning track in left to end the inning.

*Dustin Colgan was throwing in the bullpen for Smith during the last half inning. Ryan Kramer went down to the pen upon returning from the field and is now throwing.

Smith 3, Anaconda 1

Top 5th: Ciccotti grounded out to the third baseman for the first out. Nowicki grounded out 6-3 for the second out. Melioris flew out to center for the third out.

Bottom 5th: Pennings lined out to Hedrington for the first out. Nikolski blooped a single to shallow left field. Sapp flew out to Cooke in right for the second out (runner on first, two outs). McLaughlin reached on a fielding error by Melirois (his second of the game) to put runners on first and second with two outs. Shivley hit a check-swing blooper down the first baseline that Marquette made a nice diving catch on to end the inning.

Smith 3, Anaconda 1

*Reminder: While Richardson is pitching very effectively - he's allowed only four hits and one run (it was unearned) through five - he can only pitch one more inning today as per American Legion pitching rules.

Top 6th: Marquette singled to right to lead off. Hedrington popped up a bunt to Sapp for the first out. Cooke chopped a grounder to the second baseman for the second out (Marquette went to second on the play). Anaconda manager Jim DeMidio just went out to the mound to have a conference with his pitcher and infielders. Richardson hit what looked to be an RBI single up the middle, but McLaughlin made a great diving stop and throw to save a run and end the half inning.

Bottom 6th: Kennedy reached on a double to the left-center field gap on what was nearly a stellar diving catch by Nowicki. Massaroni fought off an inside fastball for an RBI single into center, scoring Kennedy from second. Smith 3, Anaconda 2. Center laid a perfect bunt down the third baseline and beat Melioris' throw to first. Massaroni was hustling the entire play and went all the way from first to third (runners on first and third, no outs). Smith manager Tony Abone Jr. just trotted out to have a talk with his pitcher and infielders. The "Let's go K. Rich" chants have started from the Smith Post cheering section. Fischer laid down a 1-3 sacrifice bunt (it might have even been a safety squeeze), putting runners on second and third with one out and the top of the order coming to the plate. Pennings struck out swinging for the second out. Nikolski ripped a liner to left-center that looked like it might be the third out, but Mallinder slipped on the wet outfield surface and the ball went past him and all the way to the wall for a bases-clearing, two-RBI triple. Anaconda 4, Smith 3. Abone Jr. just came out and relieved Richardson in favor of Garrett Baker. Richardson went to center field, Mallinder moved to left and Nowicki shifted to right. Baker will take Cooke's spot in the batting order. Sapp popped out to Baker to end the inning.

Anaconda 4, Smith 3

Top 7th: Kramer walked on seven pitches to lead off. DeMidio just came out and relieved Sapp in favor of tall right-hander Dave Filak. Shivley will take over at third base, taking Pennings out of the game. Sapp will take Shivley's spot at shortstop. Filak will bat in Pennings' place. Mallinder greeted Filak with a hard-hit groundball single up the middle to put runners on first and second with no outs. Ciccotti hit into a grounder to the third baseman who stepped on third for the first out and then threw to first in an attempt to turn the double play, but his throw was low and skidded past the first baseman, allowing Mallinder to go from first to third and Ciccotti to reach second. A wild pitch from Filak allowed Mallinder to score and tie the game (Ciccotti went to third). Smith 4, Anaconda 4. After a conference on the mound with his coach, Filak threw a second straight wild pitch, bringing Ciccotti home from third and giving the lead back to Smith. Smith 5, Anaconda 4. Nowicki drew a one-out walk. Melioris struck out swinging for the second out. Marquette walked (runners on first and second, two outs). DeMidio pulled Filak and brought in Center (he took the loss in last night's game against Smith). Billy Purtell came in to right field and Massaroni slid over to left. Hedrington grounded into a 6-4 groundout for the third out.

Bottom 7th: McLaughlin grounded out 5-3 for the first out. Baker was moving his throwing arm around in rapid circular motion after that out. He looks pretty tired and is likely going on nothing more than adrenaline and emotion right now. Shivley lined out to Melioris at third for the second out. The "Garrett Baker" chants have started up. Kennedy struck out looking at a backdoor curveball from Baker to end the inning.

Smith 5, Anaconda 4

*Melioris, who threw a complete game in last night's win over Anaconda, just went down to the bullpen.

Top 8th: Baker struck out looking at a filthy curveball from Center for the first out. Richardson walked on five pitches. Kramer grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice and then advanced to second as the second baseman made an ill-advised errant throw to first that got away from the first baseman. Kramer went to third on passed ball. Mallinder walked to put runners on first and third with two outs. Ciccotti poked an RBI single past the diving third baseman and into left field (runners on first and second, two outs). Smith 6, Anaconda 4. Nowicki smoked the first pitch from Center for down the left field line for a two-RBI double that one-hopped the fence. Smith 8, Anaconda 4. Anaconda left fielder Alex Massaroni is down on the warning track in left field. A rabid Smith Post celebration was cut silent as Massaroni fell to the ground and did not get up after throwing Nowicki's hit back to the infield. Massaroni finally sat up after nearly five minutes with the Anaconda coaches and medical personnel. Massaroni was greeted by all of the Anaconda fielders upon sitting up. The Smith fans showed great sportsmanship, greeting Massaroni with cheers of "Let's go Alex" once he rose to his feet nearly 10 minutes after going down. It appears that Massaroni will stay in the game, moving back to right field (where he started the game). Sapp will replace Center on the mound (he was the original starter for Anaconda). Center went back to left field, Purtell moved to second base, and McLaughlin moved to shortstop. Melioris grounded out 4-3 for the third out of a very long inning.

Bottom 8th: Massaroni (who was down for nearly 10 minutes in the last half inning) ripped a line-drive double down the left field line to lead off. Center reached on a freak single on an inside fastball - the ball tipped off the handle of his bat and into fair territory, and Baker's throw to first, which likely would have been late anyway, hit Center in the back (runners on first and second, no outs). Fischer hit an RBI single to left, scoring Massaroni from second (runners on first and second, no outs). Smith 8, Anaconda 5. Purtell laid down a 1-3 sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third with one out. Nikolski lined out to Hedrington for the second out. Sapp smoked a two-RBI double down the left field line (two-hopped the fence) to put Anaconda within one. Smith 8, Anaconda 7. McLaughlin blooped an RBI single to right to score Sapp from second and tie the game. Anaconda 8, Smith 8. Shivley grounded out 5-3 (Marquette made a nice pick on a low throw to first) to end the inning.

Anaconda 8, Smith 8

Top 9th: Marquette blopped a single to shallow left to lead off. Abone Jr. conferenced with his father, Smith manager Tony Abone Sr. and then decided to bring in Dustin Colgan to pitch run for Marquette. That could very well mean Baker will be moving to first base and Melioris is coming in to pitch in the bottom of the ninth (just a guess though, nothing definite). After two foul bunt attempts (just barely foul), Hedrington grounded out weakly 6-3 for the first out, but Colgan advanced to second. Baker ripped a single through the hole on the left, but it was hit to hard to score Colgan from second (runners on first and third, one out). Richardson got beaned in the back to load the bases for Kramer with one out. Kramer struck out swinging for the second out. Mallinder flew out to center for the third out, stranding the bases loaded.

*Just as I guessed, Melioris has come in to pitch and Baker moved to first base. Colgan will take over in right field and Nowicki is going to third base.

Bottom 9th: Kennedy flew out to left for the first out. Massaroni struck out swinging for the second out. Center hit a line-drive to right that tipped off Colgan glove and all the way to the wall for a two-base error. Fischer blooped a hit to center that was caught over-the-shoulder by Kramer to end the inning and send the state championship game into extra innings.

Anaconda 8, Smith 8

Top 10th: Ciccotti flew out to left for the first out. Nowicki hit a weak groundout to the pitcher off the end of his bat on the first pitch for the second out. Melioris ripped a grounder right back at the pitcher on the first pitch, but Sapp snagged it and threw him out at first for the third out.

*Sapp needed just five pitches to retire the side in the top of the 10th.

Bottom 10th: Purtell flew out to Mallinder in left for the first out. Nikolski grounded out to Baker at first on the first pitch from Melioris for the second out. Sapp flew out to Colgan in right to end the inning.

Anaconda 8, Smith 8

*Melioris threw just nine pitches in the bottom of the 10th.

*The 7-8-9 hitters (Colgan, Hedrington, Baker) are due-up for Smith in the top of the 11th.

Top 11th: Colgan struck out swinging for the first out. Hedrington grounded out to first on the first pitch from Sapp for the second out. Baker flew out to center for the third out.

*Anaconda has its 4-5-6 batters (McLaughlin, Shivley, Kennedy) due-up in the bottom of the 11th.

*This is the last inning Melioris can throw today after throwing nine innings last night (the American Legion pitching rule only allows a pitcher to throw only 12 innings in a three-day span).

Bottom 11th: McLaughlin poked a leadoff double that hit the line in right field. Melioris intentionally walked Shivley to set up the double play (runners on first and second with no outs). Kennedy dropped a 1-3 sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third with one out. The state championship winning run is just 90 feet away for Anaconda. Melioris intentionally walked Massaroni to load the bases with one out. Center hit a sacrifice fly to Mallinder and the left fielder's throw home was just a split second late, allowing McLaughlin to score the game-winning run.

FINAL: Anaconda 9, Smith 8 (11 innings)

*Anaconda is the 2008 American Legion New York State champions

*Check back later tonight as I'll post a new blog with the aftermath of today's state championship. I'll talk to several Smith players and share their thoughts with you guys. I'll always include my own thoughts on Smith's season.

FINAL: Smith 6, Newburgh 4

Good morning legion fans (I don't know if I've said that once this year). I'm just getting settled in here at Newburgh's Delano-Hitch Stadium for today's American Legion New York State championship tournament semifinal game between Smith Post and Newburgh. The winner of this game will take on Anaconda in the championship game slated for 2 p.m.

Smith advanced to today's semis with a dramatic, come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Anaconda last night. Newburgh, the host team, qualified by topping Jurek 7-6 in yesterday's other game.

Newburgh entered this week's state tournament with the worst record of the eight participants at 19-13, and did not even qualify for its district tournament (it recieved an automatic berth because it's hosting). I think it's safe to say that Newburgh, regardless of this today's outcome, is a pretty good Cinderella story of for year's tournament.

Starting lineups:
Smith (30-4-1)
1. Kyle Richardson, CF
2. Ryan Kramer, SS
3. Nate Mallinder, P
4. Zack Ciccotti, C
5. Jason Nowicki, LF
6. Joe Melioris, 3B
7. Ryan Marquette, 1B
8. Eli Hendrington, 2B
9. Ryan Cooke, RF
Pitcher: Nate Mallinder, RHP

Newburgh (22-14)
1. John Pliego, SS
2. Bobby Bittles, 3B
3. John Degtoodt, 1B
4. Jack Crawford, DH
5. Tommy Hand, CF
6. Sean Leahy, LF
7. Vinny Mascoto, RF
8. Matt Kaldon, C
9. Joe Clarke, 2B
Pitcher: Steve Pickney, LHP

*Smith will be the visiting team for the first time all tournament. We have a six-umpire crew on hand for today's semifinal and championship games.

Top 1st: Richardson ripped a double over the head of the left fielder to lead off the game. Kramer singled to right, but was caught trying to advance to second on the throw to the cutoff (9-3-4-3) for the first out (Richardson went to third on the play). Mallinder hit an RBI single to left to score Richardson from third. Smith 1, Newburgh 0. Ciccotti reached on a throwing error by the pitcher on a dribbler down the third baseline (runners on first and second, one out). Nowicki flew out to left on the the first pitch he saw for the second out. Melioris grounded out 5-3 for the third out.

Bottom 1st: Pliego walked on four pitches to lead off. Pliego advanced to second on Mallinder's seventh straight ball on a passed ball that scooted away from Ciccotti. Bittles grounded out 6-3 for the first out (Pliego went to third). Degroodt hit an RBI single to right to tie the game. Newburgh 1, Smith 1. Crawford singled up the middle to put runners on first and second with one out. Hand hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice for the second out on a nice play up the middle by Kramer to snag the hard-hit grounder and flip the ball to Hendrington (who nearly turned the double play). Leahy grounded out to Mallinder to end the inning, stranding runners on first and third.

Newburgh 1, Smith 1

*Things are getting a bit heated in the stands between the Smith and Newburgh fans. The PA announcer just made an announcement asking the fans to "keep their cheering to their own team." He said he would "not hesitate to clear the stands" if negativity toward the opposing team persists.

Top 2nd: Marquette grounded out 4-3 for the first out. Hendrington reached on a bloop single to left that dropped safely between a diving second baseman and right fielder. Cooke singled to right on the first pitch and Hendrington went from first to third (runners on first and third, one out). Richardson hit a sac fly to the right fielder, allowing Hendrington to score from third, just avoiding the tag on a very close play at the plate. Smith 2, Newburgh 1. Kramer lined a two-out single to left (runners on first and second, two outs). Mallinder popped out to right for the third out.

*Here's Hendrington scoring the go-ahead run on Richardson's sac fly:

Bottom 2nd: Moscato walked to lead off. Kaldon popped up a bunt attempt to Ciccotti for the first out. Smith coach Tony Abone Jr. just ran out to the mound for a short conference with his pitcher and infielders. Clarke walked to put runners on first and second with one out. Pliego popped out (on the first pitch) to Ciccotti in foul territory for the second out. Bittle popped out to Cooke in right to end the inning.

Smith 2, Newburgh 1

Top 3rd: Ciccotti singled past the diving third baseman to lead off. Nowicki lined a single to left-center (runners on the corners, no outs). Melioris picked up an RBI on a 6-4 fielder's choice for the first out, bringing Ciccotti home from third. Smith 3, Newburgh 1. Marquette struck out looking for the second out. Hendrington popped up a bunt to the catcher on the first pitch for the third out.

Bottom 3rd: Degroodt led off with a single up the middle. Crawford walked to put runners on first and second with no outs. Hand laid down a bunt that was turned into a 1-6 fielder's choice for the first out (runners on first and third, one out). Leahy ripped an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Degroodt from second. Smith 3, Newburgh 2. Hand tried scoring from first on the play, but was cut down 7-6-2 on a play at the plate (Leahy advanced to third on the throw home). Moscato was beaned to put runners on the corners with two outs. Kaldon grounded out 4-3 to end the inning.

Smith 3, Newburgh 2

Top 4th: Cooke flew out to left for the first out. Richardson flew out to left for the second out. Kramer hit a two-out single to center. Mallinder ripped the first pitch down the left field line, past the diving third baseman, for an RBI double (Kramer raced all the way home from first). Smith 4, Newburgh 2. Ciccotti grounded out 6-3 for the third out.

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*Smith has double-barrel action going in the bullpen with Mike Stevens and Dustin Colgan warming up.

Bottom 4th: Clarke reached on an error by Kramer as the shortstop bobbled the grounder and then couldn't make the throw in time to get Clarke. Pliego grounded out 4-3 for the first out on a chopper up the middle (runner on second, one out). Bittle grounded out weakly 4-3 for the second out (Clarke went to third). Degroodt (who has two singles in two at-bats) was intentionally walked (runners on first and third, two outs). Crawford flew out to right on the first pitch he saw to end the inning.

Smith 4, Newburgh 2

Top 5th: Nowicki grounded out 6-3 for the first out. Melioris singled a groundball to left. Marquette blooped a single to right field to put runners on first and second with one out. Hendrington lined a single to left to load the bases with one out. Right-hander Todd DeGroot has replaced Pickney on the mound for Newburgh. DeGroot needed only one pitch to get out of the jam as Cooke grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the half inning.

Bottom 5th: Hand flew out to Richardson for the first out. Leahy ripped a line-drive double down the left field line. Moscato gounded back to Mallinder, who checked the runner back to second, for the second out. Kaldon reached on a throwing error by Hendrington that pulled Marquette off the bag. Leahy raced all the way home from second on the play and scored as Marquette throw sailed wide of Ciccotti for another error (Kaldon reached second on Marquette's throwing error). Smith 4, Newburgh 3. Clarke reached first and Kaldon scored from second on another error by Hendrington (a grounder scooted under his glove and into center). Newburgh 4, Smith 4. Pliego reached first and Clarke went to second on a third error by Hendrington as he bobbled a grounder and couldn't make the throw to first in time. Bittles lined it straight back at Mallinder who made a great catch to end the inning.

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Newburgh 4, Smith 4

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*All nine starters have at least one hit for Smith through five innings. Smith has a total of 13 hits compared to just five for Newburgh.

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*Newburgh has stranded 10 runners on base (two each inning) through the first five innings.

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Top 6th: Richardson walked to lead off. Richardson stole second on a 2-2 ball to Kramer. Kramer walked on the next pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs. Mallinder grounded out to the first baseman for the first out, moving the runners to second and third. Ciccotti hit the first pitch he saw for an RBI single, scoring Richardson from third (runners on first and third, one out). Smith 5, Newburgh 4. Crawford, a lefty who was the DH, has come on to relieve DeGroot on the mound. Nowicki greeted Crawford by lining an RBI single to left-center to score Kramer from third (runners on first and second, one out). Smith 6, Newburgh 4. Melioris struck out looking for the second out. Marquette grounded out 1-3 for the third out.

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Bottom 6th: Degroodt singled to right-center to lead off. Crawford flew out deep to center (on the first pitch) for the first out. Hand flew out to center (on the first pitch) for the second out. Leahy ripped a double down the left field line to put runners on second and third with two outs. Moscato grounded out to Kramer on the first pitch he saw to end the inning.

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Smith 6, Newburgh 4

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*Newburgh stranded two runners on base for the sixth straight inning. Seven of the 12 runners stranded have been in scoring position.

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Top 7th: Hendrington grounded out 4-3 for the first out. Cooke grounded out to Crawford for the second out. Richardson struck out swinging for the third out.

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*The top of the seventh marked the first half inning in which a runner has not reached base. It was also the first inning that Smith has not recorded a hit.

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Bottom 7th: Kaldon flew out to left for the first out. Clarke got hit in the back to put a runner on first with one out. Pliego grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

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Smith 6, Newburgh 4

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Top 8th: Kramer grounded out 3-1 for the first out. Mallinder struck out looking for the second out. Ciccotti struck out swinging for the third out.

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Bottom 8th: Bittles popped out to Marquette on a great play in foul territory for the first out. Degroodt grounded out 1-3 for the second out. Crawford hit a two-out double to right. Hand singled to right (runners on first and third, two outs), bringing Leahy, who is 3-for-4 with three doubles, to the plate. Smith just brought in Garrett Baker to relieve Mallinder. Mallinder moved to left field and Nowicki slid over to right (Cooke is now out of the game). Leahy popped out in foul territory to Melioris on a 3-1 pitch to end the inning and the threat.

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Smith 6, Newburgh 4

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Top 9th: Nowicki singled up the middle to lead off. Melioris struck out swinging for the first out. It just started raining. It's not quite pouring out, but it's coming down pretty steadily. Marquette struck out looking for the second out. Hendrington grounded out weakly to the first baseman for the third out.

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*This is it. Newburgh needs to score two runs to extend the game and three to win. It will have its 7-8-9 hitters coming to the plate. Smith is three outs away from advancing to the state championship (for the second straight year) against Anaconda.

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*The Smith fans have really gotten loud over the past inning. They're chanting "Let's go Smith Post" and "Garrett Baker."

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Bottom 9th: Moscato grounded out 6-3 on the first pitch for the first out. Kaldon popped out to Marquette in foul territory for the second out. Clarke struck out looking to end the game.

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FINAL: Smith 6, Newburgh 4

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*Smith advances to face Anaconda in the state championship game that will likely not get underway until at least 3 p.m. Steady rain has turned into a downpour and it's going to take quite some time to get the field ready for play, and for each team's players to warm up. I'll start a new blog for the championship game.