Sports
Pleasantville 14U Captures GHVBL Championship
The team earned its first championship ever this month.
The Pleasantville Panthers 14U travel baseball team soared to its first ever championship in the Greater Hudson Valley Baseball League earlier this month at Rogers Park in Danbury, Conn. It was a crowning achievement for the Panthers, a team that has improved progressively each year of its existence. During the 2021 spring season, Pleasantville came close to the title, losing a heartbreaker late to Bedford. However, in this summer’s finale, they would not be denied and triumphed 4-2.
The Panthers trailed 1-0 after 2 innings – but the third frame proved to be the charm. In the inning, Mason Rizzi got the fire started with a one out walk. Then, with two outs, Matthew O’Neill singled and Luke McGarry walked. This brought up Nicholas Wei, who responded with a searing grounder over the first base bag. With the umpire signaling fair ball, two runs crossed the plate. Nathan Lieb then followed suit with a 2-RBI single of his own to right center – and the scoreboard was transformed to a 4-1 Panthers lead.
At this point, the Pleasantville D took charge behind starting pitcher Lieb – making various excellent plays to preserve the lead. In the 4th inning, after an ominous lead-off single, Jack Gorsuch fielded a grounder at the hot corner, fired to McGarry, who then gunned the ball to Liam Clancy at 1B for the crucial double play.The Panthers outfield was as strong – with Lucas De Borba-Silva, Sebastian Vidra, O’Neill, and Wei all making important catches. O’Neill came in for the save – with credit also going to catcher Trey DiCarlo who expertly handled the southpaw pitchers the entire game.
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The Panthers offense was led by 2-hit contributions from O’Neill, Wei, and Riley d’Erizans – with Clancy, Vidra, DiCarlo, and Ryan Kennedy all also reaching base during the game. Other key contributors for the championship team included Hank Becker, Hayden Collyns, Nicholas De Giglio, Ciaran Egan, Ryan McGee, and Jack Turner. Special credit goes to Rich d’Erizans and Brendan O’Neill, who have guided the Panthers team since inception. Other coaches include Fred DiCarlo, Gerard McGarry, Tom Becker, and Jon Lieb.
