USG New York’s Collin Haug looks for something to hit against the CT Capitals.

By Will Harrigan

USG New York 16U coach R.J. Going hopes that his team learned the value of having a nine-hitter reach base in a tight-game.

Stuck in a scoreless quagmire in the third inning, USG’s nine-batter Nick Paliotti laced a seemingly innocent, one-out single.

It turned out to be the spark plug that the Long Islanders needed to get things rolling.

A five-spot followed by a three-spot allowed USG Arsenal to roll to an 8-0 victory over the CT Capitals in 17/18U Blue Chips Prospect action at Diamond Nation on Friday morning.

USG New York – playing up a year in class for the second time at ‘The Nation’ this summer, finished its week at 3-1. The Capitals wrapped up their week with a third straight defeat after taking their opener on Tuesday.

“I was telling our guys, after, about the importance of flipping the lineup. Nick getting on base changed the whole complexion of the game,” said Going. “If we get to the top of our lineup with guys on and less than two outs, we are a dangerous team.”

CT Capitals relief pitcher Ethan Hunt comes to the set in Wednesday’s game against USG New York.

Leadoff man Johnny Bowden would follow Paliotti with a walk to set the table for Collin Haug, who promptly roped a double down the line to drive in two runs.

Tyler McKillop and Vincenzo Buffalino followed with two-baggers of their own, quickly extending the USG New York advantage to 4-0. Buffalino – who plays his high school ball for Kings Park on Long Island – finished his day 2-for-2 with a walk.

An ill-timed fielding error off Zach DeMilt’s bat allowed the fifth and final run of the frame to score for USG New York.

The offensive explosion was more than enough for USG pitcher Jack Molini, who only surrendered one hit – a single by Eli Fangiullo in the third – in four innings of work. Fangiullo was quickly erased on a double play. Tyler Brown came in for the fifth inning and closed it out with a scoreless inning of work.

“He’s 6’3, 220 and he’s throwing in the low 80s right now,” said Going of his ace, Molini. “But he’s only a (rising) junior. Our plan is to get him into the high eights by next year. He’ll be wanted by every school around once he gets there.”

USG went right back to work in the fourth to plate three more runs.

Dylan Alberto was struck by a pitch to start the frame, and came around to score when Bowden reached on a fielder’s choice three batters later.

Haug then drew a walk, and with two men on, McKillop roped another ball into the gap to score two runners and run the lead up to 8-0 after four.

Despite playing against teams with players a year or two older in age, USG came to Diamond Nation twice this summer and managed to go 6-2. They previously came to ‘The Nation’ for the Super 17 Invitational in June.

“I want to challenge these guys. We’ve been doing well at Perfect Game tournaments against teams with kids their age, but you have to ramp it up if you want to get where we want to be,” said Going.