Vinny Lombardo had two hits and drove in a key run in Grind’s five-run sixth inning.
By Rich Bevensee
Amato Civitello, starting shortstop for Grind 2026 Carolina, had no time to dwell on a critical mistake he had made on the field just a few moments before.
Civitello’s throwing error led to two unearned runs to give MVP New England 2027 Black a one-run lead, but he was due to bat in the next inning and had to shake what was bothering him. No time to be angry, embarrassed, or anything else.
“I threw the ball away and it cost us two runs so I had to do anything I could to get us back up,” Civitello said. “I had to shake it off and I knew there was more game to come and I could do other things to help the team. It’s challenging, but it’s all about what you have to do to help the team win.”
Civitello’s resolve, not his frustration, came through in the next inning. He fought through a nine-pitch at bat to earn a walk and set the stage for a five-run rally which Grind used to chalk up a 6-4 pool play win in the Blue Chip Prospects Tournament Powered by Victus, a 17/18U wood bat event, on Tuesday evening at Diamond Nation in Flemington.
Grind, based in Orange, Connecticut, finished the week 3-0 after its fourth scheduled game, against Falcons 17U, was rained out Thursday. Grind is 31-1 overall this summer.
MVP (5-12-2) dropped a 5-1 decision to Tri-State Arsenal 2026 Marucci on Thursday and finished 1-3 in the pool.
Grind coach Michael Moras, an All-American at New Haven and a 2008 MLB draft pick by the New York Mets, was disappointed with many aspects of his team’s performance overall. One positive he pulled from the game was Civitello’s at bat as a key to Grind’s big inning.
“We didn’t play our best but it shows we’re a great team, that even when we don’t have our best game we will give it everything to get the win,” Civitello said.
With Grind trailing 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Nicolas Scillia led off with a walk. Civitello was up next, and after fouling off three pitches with two strikes, he finally earned a base on balls.
“I was just trying to do anything for the team to get on after a critical mistake there,” Civitello said. “I wanted to make sure I got on base and we got the win.”
Rocco DeMaio singled to load the bases for Vinny Leonardo, a UConn commit. Leonardo smashed a grounder into the box which MVP pitcher Andrew Hatheway fielded with a quick glove, but he threw to first as Scillia scored to tie the game. Civitello then scored on a wild pitch to give Grind a 3-2 lead.
Billy Cole of Grind 2026 Carolina breaks for second base after a fifth inning single.
“We had one situation which hurt us the most,” MVP coach Lance Stevens said. “Bases loaded, no outs, and he (Hartheway) made a great play and he goes to first. It could have been a different story.”
The next batter, Kyle Viesselman, grounded to short with the infield in but DeMaio had such a great break for home that MVP shortstop Ethan Meyer threw to first for the sure out while Civitello scored to give Grind a 4-2 lead.
“They were running on the play and Ethan made a great read,” Stevens said. “I would put money on it if I was a gambler that there was no way we would get one of their faster runners at the plate.”
Jose Padilla delivered the final blow, a two-out, two-run double that lifted the lead to 6-2. That hit would be crucial to Grind later.
Grind lefty Scott Wentzell kept the MVP bats relatively quiet for five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. But MVP, based in East Hartford, Conn., jumped on Grind reliever Billy Cole.
In the bottom of the sixth, Jack McDougall roped a two-out RBI single to left and an ensuing error allowed both Josiah Serrano and Brendan Connolly to score, bringing MVP within 6-4.
With the tying run at the plate, Cole got a strikeout looking to end the game.
“We’ve had some losses that we’ve learned from earlier in the season, and it showed today,” Stevens said. “Baseball is a funny game because the ball can bounce any way, I’m very proud of them. They did not quit.”