The last time Riverhead produced a playoff-bound baseball team was in 2008. Yesterday the streak of losing seasons came to an end in game one of the series against North Babylon. Just getting their ninth win of the season, however, wasn’t good enough.
Before today’s game, head coach Rob Maccone said: “Now it’s all about seeding. We need this game, 9-9 isn’t going to cut it.”
Kenny Simco took the mound for the Blue Waves and threw an absolute gem, wowing a home crowd that featured a large group of loud parents who sat deep in left field, cracking jokes left and right. The senior tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing only two hits in the 6-0 victory over the Bulldogs at home.
“My goal was to establish my fastball and let my defense do all the work,” Simco said.
North Babylon’s lone scoring opportunity was in the top of the fourth inning when they had runners on second and third with two outs. The ball was ripped on a line right back at Simco. In the blink of an eye it was in his glove and even he, had no idea what it was doing there as he stared at his glove for a few seconds after. After injuries to Cody Dilworth and John Wendt the game before, Ryan Lull was brought up from JV to play shortstop and made a handful of plays for a Riverhead defense that didn’t commit an error all game.
“We were down a few players but the guys really stepped up around Simco today,” Maccone said.
Riverhead (10-7 League IV) scored their first two runs on pass balls before Nick Herzog connected on a bomb to left field. I’m pretty sure the group of parents pushed it into play because off the bat it looked to be foul. Herzog didn’t even think it had a chance.
“I didn’t know it went over,” Herzog said, laughing. “I kept running.”
The team didn’t greet him after the home run.
“I got the old silent treatment,” Herzog said.
It was all smiles for a Riverhead team that cruised from start to finish. Without one true superstar on the team, the Blue Waves find success with chemistry.
“Everyone counts Riverhead out and we proved them wrong this year,” Simco said. “I think we just have one of the best team chemistries ever. We got off to a great start this year and just been having fun with it ever since.”
The kids must take after their parents. In the end, it’s all about having fun.
Cody Weiss hit 2-for-3 and Tanner Lindsay went 1-for-3 with an RBI double.
Riverhead will finish the regular season on Friday in North Babylon. Nick Herzog will take the mound. A victory will secure the Blue Waves third place in the division and quite possibly a home game for the first game of the playoffs.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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