By Sean Reilly
Nikolas Holot gives the Diamond Jacks Super 14U a dimension of blazing speed from atop the team’s batting order.
Nick Do, when he bats second in the order, is one of the Super 14U batters who does the good job of bringing Holot home.
Holot began the game by reaching on a two-base error when his quickness forced a rushed throw, tripled twice, and also scored three runs when the Super 14U gained a 14-2 victory over the Diamond Jacks Gold 14U for the championship of the Diamond Nation 14U Fall Harvest Tournament on Sunday evening in Flemington.
Do hit an RBI double to score Holot in the first inning, was at the plate when Holot scored on a wild pitch in the second, and was credited with an RBI while reaching on a fielder’s choice which scored Holot in the fourth.
Do, who was named co-MVP of the tournament along with teammate Tommy Denvir, also pitched the first three innings. He allowed no hits, with three strikeouts and one walk, as the Super 14U wrapped up a very successful year with a championship.
“I was able to control the zone and hit spots,” Do said. “That definitely helped me.”
Competing against the Gold 14U added an extra dimension to the season-ending environment.
“It’s different when we play them,” Do said. “It’s definitely good team bonding when we get to play each other. It’s pretty competitive and intense. It’s a great way to end the season.”
The Super 14U were the visiting team in the final. Both sides went 3-0 while finishing first in their respective pools, but the Gold allowed fewer runs.
Holot was safe on a two-base error leading off, and then scored when Do doubled to left center. He went to third on a single by Neo Diaz, and scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Hoosta Labrador.
Do pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the first inning, and then the Super 14U added five more runs in the second for a 7-0 lead. Denvir singled in a run, Luke Palermo hit a two-run single, Holot tripled him home with a shot to the gap in right center and then scored on a wild pitch with Do at the plate.
After Do retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning, the Super 14U added two more runs in the third. Diaz walked and scored after advancing on an errant throw followed by two wild pitches. Labrador walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly to left field from Mike Meyers.
The final five runs for the Super 14U came in the fourth and final inning, and once again Holot was a catalyst.
He tripled to left center with one out and scored when Do was safe on a fielder’s choice which also included an error. Sandro Salomone then hit an RBI double to deep right field. Diaz, Connor Bresler and Myers followed with RBI singles for a 14-0 lead.
The Gold 14U scored twice in the bottom of the inning, getting an RBI single from Blake McCagg and a run-scoring ground out from Elijah Balady.
“I just like to swing at the first pitch to get on base, and steal other bases,” said Holot, who actually didn’t have to steal any in this game, thanks to his two triples. “This was an awesome way to end the season.”