Blog Recap: SWR falls 3-1 in 11-inning classic against Plainedge
Shoreham-Wading River senior Mike O’Reilly struck out a career-high 19 batters in a losing effort as the Wildcats fell 3-1 to Plainedge Tuesday afternoon in an epic Long Island championship game at Dowling Sports Complex.
O’Reilly and Plainedge lefty Tyler Manez matched zeros for 10 innings before the Red Devils broke through with three runs in the top of the 11th. Shoreham tried to mount a rally in the bottom of the inning and got one run across and the tying runs on base. But Manez struck out catcher Jack Massa for the final out, clinching the first Long Island title for the Red Devils since 1992.
Manez threw 110 pitches in the complete game, narrowly outdueling O’Reilly in a classic pitcher’s duel.
O’Reilly went 22 straight innings without giving up a run dating back to the third inning against Bayport May 23. That streak came to an end when senior Steve Miller laced a single into left-center to drive in two runs in the 11th to finally break the scoreless tie.
O’Reilly hit the leadoff batter and walked the next batter. A double steal moved them into scoring position for Miller.
Junior Anthony Pensato made it 3-0 with an RBI double to left field.
O’Reilly gave up six hits and walked three. At one point he struck out 10 of 12 batters from the third inning into the seventh. He retired 13 batters in a row before issuing a lead-off single in the eighth.
Manez struck out 10 while giving up seven hits with no walks.
Shoreham finishes the season 20-6.
Below is a live blog from Tuesday’s game:
