2022 MSBL All-Stars Down Express for 60+ Championship Series Sweep in Long Island MSBL
Long Island MSBL, 60+ Division
MSBL All-Stars 25, Long Island Express 6 (Game two of championship series sweep)
The MSBL All-Stars won their third consecutive 60+ Championship in the Long Island MSBL behind the leadership of Long Island MSBL Hall of Famer Tony Ferraro! The All-Stars entered the 2022 season with high expectations of making it to the finals as they have for the fourth consecutive season since the inception of the 60+ division. Finishing in first place earned them a bye in the first round of the playoffs. On a very Hot and Humid day for game one of the championship, the All-Stars showed up on fire against a very strong solid Long Island Express team.
They won big (15-3) led by Long Island MSBL Hall of Fame pitcher, Bob Seroski. Bob went the distance, yielding three earned runs and posting seven K’s. Ron Coan behind the dish was nothing less than awesome, calling a great game while holding base runners in check.
The infield was led by shortstops Bob Rizzo and John Alutto, who were nothing short of outstanding, as were Wayne Smith and Bruce Grossman at second, Richie Cotto at third, and Long Island MSBL Hall of Famers, Joe D’Andria and Ed Kavanagh at first base. Together they turned two timely double plays. Their Gold Glove outfielders, Bill Stevenson in left, Ron Weiss in center, Bill Savarino, and Ken Stern in right, were all on top of their game, making outstanding plays while running in and out, diving for balls, and keeping runners from advancing extra bases. Billy Savarino also cut down a runner trying to score on a base hit.
The All-Stars only committed one error that could have been scored a hit. The batting was led by, Bob Rizzo 3-4, Richie Cotto, 4-4, 2 Rbi, and John Alutto 2-3, 3 Rbi, and 1 walk. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit.
In Game two the next day, there was no change in the weather. The All-Stars returned with the same intensity they had on Saturday. In the top of the first, the All-Stars scored five runs, which paved the way to a 25-6 win and the Championship. Taking the hill for this game was ‘IRON MAN’ Long Island MSBL Hall of Famer, Nelson Lewis. Nellie was not sure if he could play, as he was not feeling well all week. The gamer that he is took to the hill and went the distance, yielding five earned runs and four Ks, including making three outstanding fielding plays.
Catcher Ronnie Coan continued his good play as he did in game one, especially after playing two 9’s on a hot humid Saturday. The infielders Richie Cotto, John Alutto, Wayne Smith, and Ed Kavanagh turned in two very timely double plays. Once again Ed Kavanagh continued to show off his outstanding fielding making great saving throws as he did all year while sharing first base with Joe D’Andria.
The outfielders played as well as they did on Saturday, with both Ron Weiss and Billy Savarino making two running, behind-the-head leaping catches. “Outstanding!”
Ron Coan led the offense going 3-6 with 4 Rbi, while Smithy, Kavanagh, and Cotto added three Rbi each. Alutto, Stevenson, and Long Island MSBL Hall of Fame manager Tony Ferraro each had two Rbi.
The All-Stars finished another fun-packed season with great memories. This was a season they hated to see end, as it always goes by too fast. They look forward to next season and can’t wait!
The 2022 team Leaders in batting were League Leader Ron Weiss .644, Ron Coan .515, John Alutto .444, Bill Stevenson .421, Richie Cotto .417, Bruce Grossman .407, and Billy Savarino .383.
Pitching leaders were Nelson Lewis (3–0, 3.60), Bob Seroski (5–2, 3.70), and Kenny Stern (3–0, 4.32)
A special Thank You from everyone on the All-Stars goes out to Steve and Brian Sigler for their continuing hard work during the year making it possible for everyone to play the game we all love!