Will Sussman of the DJacks Super 17U dives back to first base ahead of pickoff throw.
By Sean Reilly
Joey DiMeo takes great pride in his defense, and it was very evident on Sunday morning at Diamond Nation.
“I love fielding,” he said. “It’s probably my favorite thing in baseball. I just like being in intense moments and making plays.”
Not only did he make two outstanding plays at second base, one in particular was perhaps the most important in a crisp 2-0 victory by his Diamond Jacks Super 17U team over Beast 2027 National at the 17/18U Super Fall Invitational, Powered By Victus, in Flemington.
DiMeo’s first web gem came in the bottom of the fourth, after his single had launched a two-run rally for the DJacks in the top of the frame.
A fly ball was hit by a Beast player into shallow right field. With outfielder Jackson Staples moving in and DiMeo running back facing his teammate, he made an over-the-shoulder catch for what became the second out in a 1-2-3 inning for DJacks starter Jude Henn.
Justin Ortiz connects for Beast 2027 National in Super Fall Invitational.
When Beast National sent up the top of its order to start the bottom of the sixth, a walk to Christian Rivera and double from Thomas Gargiulo put runners on second and third with nobody out.
The next batter hit a grounder to second that was fielded quickly by DiMeo, who fired a strike to the plate, where catcher Jacob Lilienthal made a tag for a huge first out. With runners now on first and second, pop outs to DiMeo and center fielder Nikolas Holot ended the inning.
“I liked the one in the outfield, because it was kind of behind my back,” DiMeo said. “On the other one, I was already thinking I was going four (to the plate.) I wanted to keep it a close game. That was awesome. I was fired up.
“It feels great to make plays,” DiMeo, who plays at Toms River East, said. “I’m calm and trust my team, and they know if I call them off, that I’m there.”
The DJacks had only two baserunners through the first three innings against Beast starter Josh Gomez.
After the first DJacks batter in the fourth struck out, DiMeo singled to center and stole second, before Justin Labrador hit a single to shortstop to place runners on first and third.
Beast 2027 National then made a pitching change, and Nehemiah Diaz hit an RBI double to right which scored DiMeo and sent Labrador to third. Chris Jerla followed with a sacrifice fly to right for the two-run lead.
Aside from the clutch defense, which also included a slick stop and throw to first by shortstop Labrador for the third out with runners on first and second in the third, the DJacks pitching was also on point.
DJacks Super 17U catcher Jacob Lilienthal makes tag after throw from second baseman Joey DiMeo for shutout-preserving out.
Henn pitched the first four innings. He allowed no runs on three hits while striking out two and walking none.
Angel Salcefo worked the fifth and sixth, allowing no runs on no hits with two strikeouts and a hit batter.
Will Sassman then allowed a leadoff walk in the seventh before recording two strikeouts and a pop out to DiMeo ended the game.
The DJacks ended the tournament with a 2-1 record. All three games were shutouts after they split a Saturday doubleheader by defeating LIB Expos 17U 2027s, 5-0, and falling, 7-0, to the Body Armor Titans Quattrini.