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Sports

Hauppauge Holds Off the Kingsmen for 11-10 Victory

A double play by John Colby in the bottom of the seventh inning prevented Kings Park from capitalizing on a late-game rally.

The Hauppauge Eagles edged out Kings Park, 11-10, on Thursday at Turn 2 For A Cure to keep their hopes of League V title alive. The game was a display of both teams' batting lineups. The Eagles took an early 10-2 lead by the top of a fourth inning, that a late rally by the Kingsmen couldn't overcome.

Score: Hauppauge 11, Kings Park 10

Record: Hauppauge 14-3, Kings Park 9-8

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Heroes: Eagles center fielder John Colby made two strong defensive plays that kept Hauppauge in control of the game. In the second inning, Colby made a running catch that robbed King Park’s Nick Venier of an extra-base hit and prevented Kings Park from seizing an early lead.

The Eagles took a 4-1 lead over Kings Park after the first inning, and with solid hitting increased the lead to 10-2 by the top of the fourth. The resilient Kingsmen battled their way back to 10-9 in the sixth inning, taking advantage of two Eagles’ throwing errors and drawing walks as four batters hit by wild pitches.

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Hauppauge relief pitcher Nick Delre took over the mound for the Eagles and staved off the Kingsmen’s batting lineup for two-plus innings.

Colby’s fielding skills saved Hauppauge’s 11-9 lead in the top of the seventh inning with a diving catch, as the Kingsmen bases loaded with no outs. The center fielder made a throw to third base for the double play, dashing King Park’s hopes of a comeback.

Mike Napolitano led the Eagles offense going two-for-three with four RBIs. Pitcher Joe Policastro also made two hits to earn three RBIs.

Turning Point: Pete Guzman worked a bases-loaded walk off Kings Park pitcher Kevin Gurlides in the bottom of the seventh to give Hauppauge an 11-10 lead. The walk brought home what would become the Eagles' game-winning run.

Quotes: ““This was a huge win for us,” said Eagles head coach Kevin Giachetti. “Kings Park is a huge rival and they weren’t going to give up. We didn’t play great defense today, but we battled back and got ourselves an extra run with the big bases loaded walk.”

Key Stat: Hauppauge broke out the hit parade early and often, sending five runs across the plate in the second inning. A mammoth 360-foot hit off the bat of C.J. Schildt to deep centerfield along with a deep RBI double to right-center by Colby were two notable hits.

Bottom Line: The win keeps the Eagles ahead of Eastport-South Manor in their pursuit of the League V title. If Hauppauge beats Kings Park on Friday, they have a chance to clinch the title.

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