Alex DeSimone scores on a wild pitch for the Complete Game Colonials against Los Magos.
By Sean Reilly
Sometimes the best thing after a crushing loss is to return to the field right away.
That’s the attitude Complete Game Colonials took on Saturday morning upon facing Los Magos in its second game at the 14U School’s Out tournament at Diamond Nation.
The North Jersey-based Complete Game Colonials opened play at the event with a rough 3-2 loss to Hustle Baseball Academy, when it surrendered three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
That game took place on Field 7, which was also the scene of its next game against Los Magos, which hails from New York City. For its nightcap, the superstitious Colonials gathered up all their gear and moved from the first base dugout to the third base side.
If the Colonials were seeking better luck, the plan worked. They erupted for six runs in the top of the first inning in what became a 10-1 triumph in Flemington.
“The first game was a devastating loss,” Colonials coach Fernando Santana said. “We’ve done a pretty good job of flipping the page. It’s something I commend this group for. They don’t let a loss hang with them for long, which is good.”
The victory also followed a pattern for the team.
“We kind of lose rough ones, and then we jump on teams,” Santana said.
One common thread in both games for the Colonials was its starting pitching. In the opener, Brandon Bodart took a shutout into the seventh inning before being victimized by a costly error. Brady Ross pitched five of the six innings and allowed two hits to get the win against Los Magos.
Complete Game Colonials took advantage of wildness by the four Los Magos pitchers in gaining its victory. Six of its runs scored on wild pitches, and incredibly five of those plays happened with Bodart at the plate.
“It felt nice to get a 10-1 win after that loss,” Bodart said. “It was good to go back out there. And when everyone starts hitting, the energy carries over. Once we get teams down, we try to finish them.”
In the first game, the Colonials scored a run apiece in the first and second innings.
In the second game, after striking for six runs in the first inning, the Colonials added four more in the sixth.
Ryan Nitch started the game against Los Magos by drawing a walk. He stole second, and quickly scored when Alex DeSimone reached on an error. DeSimone later scored on a wild pitch. Braiden Russell hit a two-run double to left field, and the other two runs came home during Bodart’s at-bat.
“I try to watch pitches, be selective and catch my pitch,” said Bodart.
Los Magos started well in the bottom of the first. Ellis Kahn was hit by a pitch leading off. He stole second and third, and Luis Marin was safe on a dropped pop up before Nathan Pimentel hit a sacrifice fly to right field.
Ross struck out the next two batters to end the inning, and then allowed only four more batters to reach base until Ian Weinstein relieved him in the sixth inning.
In the top of the sixth, Tyler Baelis led off for the Colonials with a walk. Kyle Schwartzlow singled to right field. After both runners advanced into scoring position, a walk to Jake Wagner loaded the bases.
Russell, who finished 2-for-3, added a RBI single to make the score 7-1. Bodart came to the plate with one out, and Schwartzlow, Wagner and Russell all scored on wild pitches during his at-bat.
The Colonials will close out pool play against Morris County Cubs White (0-2) on Sunday afternoon.
Los Magos, which beat Morris County Cubs White, 16-2, in its opener on Saturday morning, plays pool leader Hustle Baseball Academy (2-0) in its pool finale on Sunday afternoon.