Julian Schultz makes contact for PS2 Academy.
By Sean Reilly
Dante Palazzo was in an ideal spot when he came to bat for PS2 Academy in the fifth inning on Monday afternoon at Diamond Nation.
The score was tied, with teammate Rudy Gonzlo on third base, with one out in the fifth inning against Wow Factor Northeast National.
To add to the situation, the infield was playing in and the count went to full.
“I was just looking to hit the ball hard to the outfield, because they were playing the infield in,” Palazzo said.
Palazzo, a Class of 2025 player from Passaic Valley (Little Falls), delivered. He hit an RBI double to right field that wound up being the game-winning hit as PS2 Academy registered a 3-2 victory at the 17U Super 25 Showcase Series, Powered By Construction Risk Partners, in Flemington.
This event is different from the others throughout the year at ‘The Nation.’ Teams had to qualify based on their performance at earlier events this summer. That means the competition is at a high level. So is the level of in-game pressure, as shown by that particular at-bat. And to make it even better, there are college coaches in attendance watching it all unfold.
“There are a lot of coaches here, with the best teams playing,” Palazzo said. “It felt nice to get a good swing and for us to win the first game.”
PS2 took a 1-0 in the top of the first inning. After the first two batters struck out, Casey Baratta walked. Gonzlo, who ended 2-for-2 with a walk, singled to right field, sending Baratta to third. A successful double steal produced the run.
Jordan Goldstein dives back to first ahead of pickoff throw for Wow Factor Northeast National.
PS2 added another run in the fourth inning.
Gabriel Saint-Hilaire Urbina led off with a single to shortstop. After a ground out, he moved to third on a wild pitch. Matt Civan walked, and Nicholas Bumbaco hit an RBI single to shortstop.
Wow Factor tied the game with a two-run bottom of the fourth.
Paul Cifra led off and was safe on an error. Steven Ramirez followed with an RBI triple to right field. After a walk to John Delgadillo, an errant pick off throw to first allowed Ramirez to score.
The decisive fifth inning rally for PS2 commenced when Gonzlo doubled to left-center with one out. He moved to third on a wild pitch before Palazzo came through with the go-ahead hit. The game ended after six innings due to the expiration of the 1:50 game clock.
Eight of the nine batters had hits for PS2 Academy, with the ninth drawing two walks. Aside from Gonzalo’s performance, Saint-Hilaire Urbina also finished with two hits.
PS2 continues play in the tournament with a Tuesday afternoon matchup against FTB Falcons Scout Team. Wow Factor returns against Team Elite Liberty on Tuesday morning.