On Monday, July 23 the Mineola Athletic Association (MAA) Boys 9/10U summer baseball team hosted Port Washington at the in Mineola, defeating Port by a score of 12-7.
The pitching from the “boys of summer” was outstanding as in total, Mineola utilized six pitchers to secure the victory. Andrew Geagher, Patrick Solosky, Tom Tugander, Dominic Ferreira, Kenny Solosky and Ryan Loughlin combined to shut down the Port Washington opposition.
For Mineola, the offense was lead by Tom Tugander with an RBI triple, Patrick Solosky (3-3), Kenny Solosky (2-2, SAC), Derek Lekhwani, Zach Buongiovanni and Mike Librandi.
The defensive gems of the game belonged to Derek Lekhwani, Kenny Solosky, Kieran O’Gara, Andrew Geagher, Steven Collica, Ryan Burke and Jimmy Tighe.
Two days later, Mineola went on the road with a game at New Hyde Park’s Nuzzi Field. After five lead changes, Mineola prevailed taking home a 15-12 win, their third straight.
Early in the game, secondbaseman Ryan Loughlin stopped a grounder and throwing out the runner at first. After loading the bases in the second inning, Steven Collica struck out a batter and was aided by the defensive gem of the day as centerfielder Kenny Solosky helped record an inning-ending double play, making a sliding catch on a deep fly ball to center then getting the ball in to catcher Zach Buongiovanni at home to nail the runner who tagged from third by about 5 feet.
Other sharp defense was turned in by Tom Tugander, Ryan Burke and Jimmy Tighe who fielded who made an unassisted play at first on a grounder to end the game.
Patrick Solosky was 3-5 with a 2-RBI double off the center field wall, Kenny Solosky went 3-5 with an RBI triple, Steven Collica had two doubles and Vincent Adalia had an inside the park grand slam. Other key Mineola hits were provided by Jimmy Tighe, Dominic Ferreira and Tom Tugander.
Mineola pitchers Zach Buongiovanni, Steven Collica, Jimmy Tighe, Ryan Burke and Kenny Solosky combined for the victory.
This season, Mineola has used 12 pitchers which manager Ken Solosky described as a “good” problem, explaining “most seasons you are lucky to have 3 or 4 good arms. With this team I have 12 very good arms and my challenge is getting them all into the games. It is wonderful to see the boys so eager to pitch.”
The Mineola Summer baseball team is a developmental team that stresses fun and learning. Players are assigned to different positions and challenged to try pitching and catching. The team has weekly clinics with guest instructors that develop their pitching, hitting and fielding skills. The clinics have featured a unique “catchers station” at which an older travel team catcher works with the boys on this unique position.
