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With some powerful hitting, the Spackenkill Spartans varsity baseball team defeated John A. Coleman Catholic High School 10-2 on April 29 at the Todd Middle School field.
Luke Horvath led the Spartans with four RBIs and one run, as well as pitching six strong innings. Family and friends cheered him on as he struck out seven and allowed only one hit in the non-league game. Thomas VanNess added three hits and one RBI for Spackenkill, and also scored two runs and stole four bases.
The slugfest began in the bottom of the third inning for the Spartans, as senior Kelly Byrnes doubled the ball to right field to open the inning. Teammate Phil Kemp, a junior, advanced him home after a stolen base.
The Spartans were all about stealing the glory from Coleman, taking extra bases throughout the game.
“We came out knowing we had to work and we got the job done,” said relief pitcher Joey Rihn.
Other notable players were juniors Tim Bade and Connor Pardell, who both scored on a run.
Defensively, the Spartans were on top of their game, as Bade made a nice play in the outfield to prevent a Coleman hit late in the game.
Overall, Coleman knows that in baseball, it’s always hit or miss.
“Hitting today we struggled a bit putting the bat on the ball,” said Coleman head coach Jeff Tomaseski, in his 1st year at the helm. Tomaseski went on to commend Spackenkill’s leadership.
“They’re a well-coached program,” he said.
The fundamentals begin by knowing the calls, and where people are supposed to be, said Don Neise, head coach for the Spartans, who added that he stresses maintaining communication as a group, something which has led to his team being successful.
Those teachings have paid off for the Spartans, who also posted convincing wins in their two prior games: 14-2 over Ellenville and 13-3 over Saugerties.
Spackenkill’ improved to 8-3 overall and 6-1 in league, while Coleman Catholic fell to 1-8.
