Nassau Outslugs Suffolk in Grand Slam Challenge

Even with the best pitchers in each county on the mound in Long Island’s premier high school baseball all-star game, both teams managed to combine for 20 runs and 27 hits in nine innings.

Nassau got the better of Suffolk, 12-8, in this year’s RTC Grand Slam Challenge Friday night at Farmingdale State College.

Calhoun’s Jake Thomas was named Nassau MVP, while Half Hollow Hills West’s Remy Janco earned the honor for Suffolk.

Nassau, which still trails Suffolk 5-2 in the all-time series, jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Carle Place’s Stephen Lauriano hit a one-run double, while Brandon Swayne from Plainedge drove in one run, Mineola’s Jim Bulva hit a sacrifice fly and Nassau picked up another run on a wild pitch.

Suffolk, however, came to life in the top half of the third inning, putting up seven runs on eight hits, including a one-run double from Sachem’s Brendan Garry that hit the left field wall and a one-run triple by Shoreham’s Ryan McAlary. Sachem’s Alec Sole, who was named most outstanding hitter of the game, hit two of his three singles in that inning.

Nassau slugged its way back and threw up eight runs of its own in the fifth inning. Thomas, who was awarded the most outstanding catcher honor as well, hit a leadoff triple to set the tempo and Nassau followed suit with three consecutive singles, a walk and two doubles later in the inning.

“It was a good experience coming out against the best kids on Long Island,” said Chaminade pitcher Eric Truss, who opened the game with two scoreless innings. “You can really test yourself against the best of the best. It was a good way to end high school.”

One of the best is Janco, who won every game he pitched in during his senior year at Hills West. The Duke-bound Janco struck out four of the seven hitters he faced and allowed only one hit.

“I went out the way I wanted to,” he said. “I had a great time playing with guys I’ve been playing with my whole career. I’m looking forward to the future, but it’s bittersweet.”

For Sole, it marks the end of a strong high school career, which ironically came to an end last Friday on the same field where the Flaming Arrows lost to Carey in the Class AA Long Island championship.

“Coming out here and going three-for-three makes it a lot better,” he said.

Other award winners on the night include ’s Tom Roulis, who won the Rawlings Gold Glove honor and Chaminade’s Andrew Gallagher, who was the most outstanding pitcher.

Winning Pitcher: Spencer Bilello

Losing Pitcher: Brendan Butler

Suffolk County: A. Sole (3-3, 1R, 1 RBI), T. Caputo (1-3, 1R), A. Caruso (0-4), M. Hewson (2-5, 2B, 2R, 2RBI), B. Garry (2-4, 1R, 2RBI), R. McAlary (1-4, 1R, 1RBI), A. Indelicato (1-2, 1BB), M. Roehring (1-3, 1R, 1RBI), S. Skon (1-3, 1RBI), A. Moossmann (0-2), P. Policastro (0-2), R. Vrana (1-1, 2B), R. Going (0-1, 1BB), T. Moston (0-1), T. Kastelan (0-1), D. Merola (0-1).

Nassau County: R. Sliwak (1-2, 3B, 1RBI), J. Thomas (1-4, 1R, 1RBI), K. Monahan (1-4, 1R, 2RBI), M. Manganiello (2-3, 1R), J. Pagan (1-3, 1BB, 2R, 1SB), B. Swayne (2-2, 1R, 1RBI), S. Lauriano (1-2, 2B, 1R), J. Howard (0-2, 1RBI), J. Bulva (0-2, 1RBI), T. Roulis (1-3, 1R, 1RBI), J. Cauchi (1 BB, 1R, 1RBI), S. Bilello (1-2, 2B, 1R, 2RBI), S. Goldstein (0-2, 1RBI), J. Tracy (2-2, 1R, 1RBI), J. Bellock (0-2), T. Grillo (0-1), C. Kelly (1-1), A. Gallagher (0-7).