Westbury, NY – The North Bellmore North Merrick Rebels improved their record in the Williamsport Section play-offs to 4-0 tonight as they defeated the Plainview LL Hawks 13 – 5. The score notwithstanding, this was the Rebels’ sloppiest effort to date in the 2011 Williamsport Tournament. But, as per Coach Bob’s post-game commentary, even when it’s ugly, good teams find a way to win.

The action started early when the Hawks pushed one run across in the top of the first. That was shortly outdone when the Rebels’ Brian Porricelli dropped a three-run bomb way over the rightfield fence in the bottom half. NBNM extended their lead to 4 – 1 in the third but, mostly by the charity of tough bounces and Rebels misplays, Plainview had tied the game at 4 in the fourth. Rebels starting pitcher Mike Proios delivered a solid outing through four innings and was lifted at 65 pitches to ensure his availability on Monday. As the Rebels got into the Hawks’ bullpen, NBNM’s offense started to open things up, including Porricelli’s second homerun of the night, and led 11 – 4 after four. The Rebels’ Kevin McCleneghan pitched well in relief and kept the Hawks from having any big innings.

The victory clinches the Rebels berth in the Section 6 (Long Island) championship final Monday night where one game will decide who continues on to the NY State tournament.

The Rebels will appear in the final game of pool play tomorrow, Saturday, July 30 1:00pm at Otsego Park in Dix Hills where they’ll face District 34 Champs, Huntington Tri-Village A&E LL.

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As reported by The Bellmore Patch: http://bellmore.patch.com/articles/north-bellmore-north-merrick-u-11-baseball-defeats-plainview-to-remain-undefeated

Massapequa, NY – The North Bellmore North Merrick Rebels left their mark on their temporary home as District 31 champions tonight when they run-ruled the Sayville Little League All-Stars, 10 – 0 in 4 innings at Burns Park in Massapequa. It is the only game NBNM will host in the 2011 Williamsport Section 6 tournament.

The Rebels are now 3 – 0 having defeated each of their District champion counterparts to date via run-rule.

The Rebels came out tonight and set the tone in many aspects of their play.

In the top of the first, starter Brian Porricelli set the tone for the Rebels pitching. He was typically dominant and in hitters heads. Throughout, he did not yield a run and went the distance in this four inning game.

In the bottom of the first, Jack Delaney’s lead-off single and Nick Valeriano’s two-RBI double set the tone for a mostly relentless Rebels offense that would set the table and then drive them in. The Rebels put four on the board in the first and that was more than they’d need.

In the top of the second, the All-Stars five-hitter ripped a hot shot toward the third base line that looked surely to be an extra-base hit. That was when third baseman Matt Conry set the tone for the Rebels defense by making a spectacular snare on his backhand as the ball was going by him, and making a throw across the diamond from the seat of his pants for the 5-3 put-out.

NBNM continued to assert their pitching, offense and defense until the abbreviated end of the contest: Porricelli pitched out of a bases-loaded jam with a big strikeout, Matt Nilsen drove a double deep in the left-centerfield gap, and Andy Davila made a great hustling play and throw to nail a Sayville baserunner at second trying to stretch a single. There were many contributors on offense with the Rebels providing mostly tough at-bats and spraying hits to all fields, and most all defensive play was solid.

The Rebels continue their quest for a Section title shot when they face the Plainview Hawks tomorrow, July 28 5:45pm at Salisbury Field in Westbury.

Dix Hills, NY – Amid tonight’s Williamsport 11U action, North Bellmore North Merrick Little League defeated North Shore Little League in four innings by way of run rule, 11 – 0. The NBNM Rebels continued to feature solid play in all aspects of the game and improved their record in the Section 6 play-off to 2 – 0.

Starting pitcher Kevin MCleneghan and reliever Jack Delaney combined for the shutout. And while the North Shore offense was stymied, throughout the game the Rebels offense capitalized on good at-bats that led to bases on balls, great baserunning, some misplays, good hustle, and key hits.

In the home half of the first, the Rebels jumped out to a quick score and an early lead that would be all they needed. While NBNM’s defense was very, very good including several sweet plays by middle infielders Delaney and Alec Acri, their offense continued to tack on. It was over after just three-and-half innings.

Contributor highlights to the offense included Brian Porricelli getting things rolling early with a laser beam off the fence in left-center to clear the bases, McCleneghan pounding a key sac fly to deep right, and Eric Solomon stroking a clutch RBI single to right.

This is the Rebels fifth straight victory by a margin of 10 or more runs and continues their Williamsport winning streak to six games.

NBNM hosts the Sayville All-Stars Wednesday night, 7/27 8:00pm at Burns Park.

In other games, Port Washington beat HTV A&E, 3 – 0, while Plainview and Sayville were tied at 2 when the game was suspended in the fourth inning due to weather.

Port Washington, NY – The sectional round of the 2011 11U Williamsport tournament opened yesterday with the North Bellmore North Merrick LL Rebels, representing District 31, routing the District 28 Port Washington Legends, 15 – 1, at Lions Field. It is the fourth consecutive game where the Rebels have defeated an opponent by 10 runs or more.

A trio of Rebels pitchers – Nick Valeriano, Mike Proios, and Jack Delaney – combined to scatter just three hits in an impressive display of efficiency and effectiveness, using only 58 pitches amongst them. As is always the case with a low pitch count, the defense behind them was solid and included a sharp 6-4-3 double-play to end the game.

The NBNM offense continued its big-time production including a 3-run home run in the first inning by Brian Porricelli to set the tone, and extra-base hits by Matt Nilsen, Mike Proios, and Andy Davila (triple). The Rebels lineup peppered the Legends throughout the game and put up crooked numbers in all but the third and fourth innings (when they scored 1 and 0 respectively).

It was a strong start to the play-offs for the Rebels who hope to represent Section 6 (Long Island) at the New York State round.

The tournament continues tonight (weather permitting) when the Rebels are scheduled to face the District 36 champs from North Shore Little League, 8:00pm at Otsego Park in Dix Hills.

Thought although today’s practice started a little slow, the team showed they were ready to practice hard in a very short time.

They took full advantage of a rare opportunity to practice on their rival’s field (Burns Park), now officially our home field for the Sectional Tournament.

As always the boys showed they want it ……………………………
Practice HARD, Play HARD, Win Easy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!