Selden, NY – The NJBL Spring season began tonight with the NBNM Rebels taking a pair from the LI Storm at St. Margaret’s Field, 3-0 and 5-2.

The Rebels got on the board early in game one when Alec Acri stroked a deep single scoring Jack Delaney who reached on a single. NBNM added two more in the second inning with Mike Proios ripping a ball into the right centerfield gap to knock in Kevin McCleneghan, and Matt Nilsen doubling down the third base line to drive in Proios.

With Brian Porricelli mowing ‘em down from the hill — he struck out 8 of the 9 batters he faced — the Rebels’ lead carried into the third inning. Then Proios provided a scoreless inning-and-a-third and Delaney closed it out showing remarkable command while striking out four and preserving the shut-out.

As the sun set and a cold rain fell, NBNM again took the early lead in game two when Delaney singled to get things started. Nilsen walked, Acri singled hard into the alley to drive in 2 runs, Matt Conry came through with a 2-out RBI base knock, and the Rebels were up 3-0.

The Storm bounced back in the second when, following a single by Hart, Escaldi homered to left to bring the Storm within one, 3-2.

Proios, playing though pain in his feet, bunted home Eric Solomon in the third putting NBNM up 4-2. The Rebels scored again the in the fourth when Conry successfully squeezed home Porricelli who had reached with a lead-off walk to extend the lead to 5-2.

Nick Valeriano picked up the win on the mound with McCleneghan needing just three outs to close it as this one was called due to the weather after K-Mac held the Storm scoreless in the fourth.

It was a solid start to the Rebels 2012 season.

Game 1 Boxscore and game details
Game 2 Boxscore and game details

The Rebels play again next Sunday 1:00pm at Gunther Field against the Ronkonkoma Cardinals