Merrick, NY – The North Bellmore North Merrick Rebels tightened their grip on the winners bracket of the 2011 Williamsport NY District 31 tournament today when they dispatched Merrick-North Merrick LL in a 12-2 run-rule victory advancing their record to 2-0.

After Rebels starting pitcher Brian Porricelli struggled early with his control, Merrick converted two walks, a wild pitch and a single into an early 2-0 lead. But Porricelli would redeem himself soon after.

As the Rebels bats got hot, with two on in the bottom of the third, Kevin McCleneghan stroked a clutch double into the left centerfield gap to tie the game and begin the shift of momentum to NBNM.

By now Porricelli had settled in on the mound, the Rebels defense was typically sharp, and Merrick batters were going down quietly.

Then, after Billy McAdam worked out a walk with an excellent at-bat in the bottom of the fourth, Porricelli stepped up to bat with one out and one on. On the second pitch after getting in front of a change-up that he drove 250 feet but foul, Porricelli dropped a bomb over the centerfield fence to move the Rebels to a 4-2 lead from which they wouldn’t look back.

After Rebels reliever McCleneghan retired Merrick untouched in the top of the fifth, the Rebels offense left no doubt about who wanted this game. NBNM proceeded to bat around on an 8-run tear against three different Merrick pitchers. McAdam sealed the deal with a clean single to right to invoke the run-rule in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The 2011 Rebels’ quest for a mark on Williamsport continues at Brady Park in Massapequa Park, Tuesday July 5th at 5:30.