Chase Curro’s go-ahead single sparks New York in win over Illinois
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A closer look at 4-0 Staten Island, New York win over Hinsdale, Illinois, Sunday at Lamade Stadium.
PLAY OF THE GAME -- Chase Curro's go-ahead single: The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Curro broke the ice. After Stephen Grippo and Nicholas McLean hit singles, Curro ripped a single into left field and New York had a lead it did not relinquish.
NEW YORK PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Vincent Ruggerio: The team's offensive spark plug from the leadoff spot, Ruggerio also delivered, considering the stage, his best Little League pitching performance. Ruggerio threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six. He was untouchable after the second inning, retiring the last 10 batters he faced. Maybe even more impressive, Ruggerio did not let a ball leave the infield during that span.
ILLINOIS PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Alex Vianco: After hitting the walk-off single which gave Illinois the Great Lakes championship, Vianco showed off his pitching prowess in his final Little League game. Vianco opened the game with three shutout innings and scattered three hits during that time while containing a potent offense. The right-hander also struck out three and refused to make the last out of the game, drawing a two-out, sixth inning walk.
BIG INNING--New York fourth: Just like Saturday against South Dakota, New York came alive in the fourth inning and again scored four runs to go ahead for good. Saturday, the Metro champions trailed entering the inning and this time it was scoreless. New York came alive the second time through the order and produced four runs on six hits. Chace Curro hit the go-ahead RBI single and New York added two, two-out runs when Dean Scarangello hit an opposite field single. Alex Torres added a sacrifice fly and again, the hitting appeared contagious as everything came together in the fourth inning.
BEST EFFORT--New York's balance: Manager Bob Laterza said his team plays its best when its backs are against the wall and they have proven it the last two days. So many batters coming up with key hits in the fourth inning highlighted the team's tenacity for a second straight game. The production is coming from all part of the lineup and the way New York has unloaded in tight games the past two days is a testament to its depth and talent.
FLASHING LEATHER--Illinois catcher Dillon Phelan made a perfect throw to shortstop Fred Sackley, cutting down Jake Romero as he tried stealing second in the second inning. Sackley applied a quick tag as Illinois kept the game scoreless entering the third inning. The next inning, New York third baseman Dean Scarangello came cutting across the infield to stop an Alex Vianco grounder near the grass. He stumbled as he planted, but stuck with the play and made a good throw to produce the inning's first out. Ruggerio became the first pitcher to retire Kellan Goodwin at the series when he stopped a sharp grounder back to the mound, losing his hat in the process, while highlighting a 1-2-3 inning. Illinois second baseman Emiliano Nepomuceno made a phenomenal fourth inning stop which saved a run. Nepomuceno dove to his left and made a stop which would make Roberto Alomar smile before looking the runner on third back to the base and throwing to first for the out. Later that inning, right fielder Michael Kipnis unleashed a perfect throw and cut down a runner trying to advance to third with a chest-high laser. New York third baseman Dean Scarangello made a super play in the fifth inning, smoothly handling a tricky one-hopper before making a strong throw for the inning's second out.
WHAT THE ADULTS SAY--"They won't go home. They want to stay here and we're not leaving," New York manager Bob Laterza said. "They love the place. They might even stay after we're done with the games."
WHAT THE KIDS SAY--"It (pitching in relief Saturday) helped me a little bit because I got used to the mound and to what the umpires strike zone is, so I was a little more efficient on the strike zone," Ruggerio said. "I felt really good. My arm felt really loose."
WHAT IT MEANS--New York keeps moving along and is assured a top 6 American finish at the Series. It will play another elimination game Tuesday against the loser of Monday's Florida-Texas game. A historic season concluded for Hinsdale, Illinois which made the Series for the first time and captured the Great Lakes championship in thrilling fashion.