The boys headed out east yesterday for 2 games against the Smithtown Bulls. Offense was the key in the first game where the Rebels won 8-3 behind another strong outing from Nicky V going 3 innings and leaving the game with the lead . Jack D gave the team 2 innings of relief and Alec A closed out the 6th. Eric Solomon had several big hits on the day driving in runs in both ends of the double header.
The second game put Michael P on the mound where he also would go 3 innings and kept the Rebels in the game where it remained tied 2 – 2 to the 5th where Eric Solomon came threw again with the game winning hit. Brian P took the mound in the 4th inning and would not allow a run the rest of the way, Rebels win 4-2.

Yaphank, NY – The North Bellmore North Merrick Rebels completed a clean sweep of the Baseball Heaven Columbus Day Wood Bat Championship tournament yesterday defeating the previously unbeaten NYC Titans twice, 9 – 3 and 4 – 2.

While game one was merely the last game of the pool play round, home field advantage in the final was at stake as well as momentum coming into the championship game. In response to Coach Sam’s prodding for more offense, the Rebels delivered numerous hits and timely execution. The Rebels took the lead in the first inning and stayed ahead throughout the contest. Starting pitcher Alec Acri showed good control and went four complete innings in a much-needed effort to set the tone with the Titans that the Rebels were the team to beat in this tournament. Eric Solomon in relief got into and out of trouble in the fifth and closed out the sixth. The Titans delivered just one hit in the game. The Rebels offense, meanwhile, delivered hits throughout their lineup going through four Titans pitchers and ensuring the convincing victory.

Game two saw the return to the hill of the Rebels’ Nick Valeriano coming off an outstanding complete-game victory on Saturday. Knowing he needed to be conservative with his pitch count, Nick delivered another clutch, final-game performance completing five innings with just 62 pitches and allowing only two hits. The Rebels offense, while not prolific, took advantage of its opportunities delivering hits when needed and running the bases well. Rebels defense was excellent in making all the plays they should and more including an inning-ending great catch in centerfield by Brian Porricelli and an inning-ending 9-3 double-play started with a nice catch by Eric Solomon in rightfield, both of which stopped Titan scoring threats. Mike Proios closed the game, dominating Titans batters with a 1-2-3 sixth inning.

The only thing better than the beautiful, long weekend weather was the Rebels play throughout this tournament. In dispatching opponents including The Baseball Center of New York NYC Stars, Syracuse Sports Zone, and the NYC Titans, they continue to show they can compete with and beat full-time travel teams throughout the region.

The Rebels will look to build upon a perfect 9-0 record this fall when they return to National Junior Baseball League play Saturday against the Smithtown Bulls at Moriches Road Field.

The Rebels improved to 3 & 0 today and secured a spot in the Championship game at Baseball Heaven tomorrow afternoon.
Brian P took the mound for the Rebels and although the opposition was able to scrape together two runs, Brian settled in and proceeded to get stronger as the game progressed, eventually striking out 12 batters on the day including the last 9 that he faced.
Offensively, Matt N had another big day and plated two runs with his double over the center fielders head.

The Rebels opened there Baseball Heaven Columbus Day Tournament by taking the first two games.
Both Nicky V & Michael P threw complete game shutouts.
Nicky was dominate against the Syracuse Team in the first game allowing just two hits for the opening game victory.
After a few hour layoff the boys returned for an 8PM nightcap, where Michael P would not be denied and threw a one-hitter against the team from the Bronx.
With the pitching and defense being the story of the day (3 Double plays) and Eric Solomon’s strike to first base from right field, the shutouts were preserved.
Offensively in the first game with no score in the bottom of the fifth Alec A led of the inning with a sharp single past the 3rd basemen, Nicky V moved him to second with a well executed bunt, Alec’s delay steal of 3rd set the table for Brian P, Syracuse wasn’t taking any chances with Brian and pitched around him where he eventually walked and stole 2nd. With two outs and the game on the line, Matt N stroked a clean single to right scoring the games only 2 runs.
The second game found the Rebels leading 1 to 0 after scratching out a run in the first, the score remained the same until the 4th when Kevin W opened the inning with a clean single and lead the team to 2 more runs.
Matt C caught both ends of the double header, throwing out a base runner attempting to steal second and his great effort of not allowing any pass balls, helped the team to its victories.
The Rebels return tomorrow at 12 noon looking to secure a playoff spot for Monday.

Story by Coach Al Coster

North Bellmore, NY – The North Bellmore North Merrick Rebels improved to 4-0 in NJBL with another double-header sweep beating the LI Royals 4-1 and 12-1 at Gunther field yesterday.

Awesome defense and pitching in both games. Boys making nice progress with the bigger field.

In game one, Valeriano went the distance in a 1-hitter and only faced one more batter than the minimum. It was a huge performance given that his 69 pitches let us pitch him the whole game and rest the rest of our guys for the second game.

On offense we only had 5 hits but they were productive and timely hits, something the Rebels have lacked of late. Porricelli had two hits that included one off the top of the fence. Proios, Coster and Valeriano also had hits.

The most exciting play of the day was Conry’s perfectly executed suicide squeeze that scored porriceli. The Rebels are two-for-two in executing the play since working on it in practice last week.

Game two was won 12-1 and featured Proios as the starter who also went deep into the game giving up only one run and two hits in five innings. Porricelli came in for the 6th to get the save.

The Royals tried to jump start their offense by laying down bunts but the Rebels defense sparkled. In the 6th inning with Porricelli on the mound, one of their only base runners tried to steal home and was tagged out by McAdam who showed off his defensive flexibility by also flashing the leather at 2nd base, and in the outfield.

On offense everything clicked. Every player in the lineup reached base safely at least once. Multiple hits came from Delaney, McAdam, Valeriano and Porricelli. Those with multiple runs scored included McAdam and Acri with three each and Valeriano and Proios with two each.

The Rebels now have two weeks off between games and look forward to continued practice on ‘the big field’.