Second Half Awaits but Harvey Is Done in 2016

By Joe Rini

Considering they won seven of 11 games, the last homestand before the All-Star break was ultimately more draining than a boost for the Mets. Whether four days of rest recovers and recharges the Mets for the upcoming pennant race, is to be determined.

Hopes that swelled after sweeping the league leading Cubs, an ebullient debut by rookie Brandon Nimmo, and an inspiring Fourth of July comeback win were dashed by the season-ending/career-threatening injury to Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard’s “dead” arm, and three consecutive dismal losses to the Nationals that dropped the Mets to six games behind their division rivals.

Additionally, Daniel Murphy continued his “Oh, yeah! Take that!” revenge hitting rampage against his former team this past weekend. Whereas past generations of ill-fated Mets departures like Nolan Ryan, Amos Otis, and Scott Kazmir to the American League mostly irked the Mets via the out-of-town boxscores, Murphy has his former employer in a headlock and won’t let go.

The bat that powered the Mets to the World Series in 2015 is threatening to keep them out of the post-season in 2016 with Murphy batting .423 with seven home runs and 21 RBI against the Mets as he has sparked the Nationals to nine wins in 13 games against them. The former Mets second baseman is hitting a league leading .348 and his 17 home runs already exceeds his career high of 14.

Matt Harvey’s season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome combined with Syndergaard’s recent signs of fatigue and Zack Wheeler’s postponed return to the mound has chipped away at the team’s pitching depth. Saddled with an inconsistent offense (plus an injured Yoenis Cespedes) and with the pennant race just over the horizon past the looming July 31 trade deadline, GM Sandy Alderson will seek to fill several holes on the team but with fewer tradable assets than last season.

On a positive note, the Rockland County Times caught up with rookie Brandon Nimmo on July 2 prior to the Mets’ 4-3 victory over the Cubs and the day after he hit his first major league home run. Speaking of his first round-tripper (which his family from Wyoming was able to witness) and his first few days in the majors, the 23-year old smiled and said, “It was amazing…I didn’t feel the bases…I was floating… and I said, ‘Thank you, Lord.’” The experience of his first few days in the majors left Nimmo feeling “Thankfulness in my heart.”

When I asked the former first round draft pick about how he dealt with the various criticisms people may have expressed on the internet about his play during his five year minor league journey to the majors, Nimmo said he tried not to pay too much attention to such comments. “People have their opinions, I can’t control them…I am who I am,” he said as he strives to play as best as he can and also have fun doing it. Until the arrival of Jose Reyes, manager Terry Collins batted Nimmo in the leadoff spot several times and he was comfortable with it. “I’ll bat wherever TC thinks I can help the team.”

Fourteen games into his big league career, Nimmo is batting .250 and while the speculation is he’ll return to Triple-A Las Vegas after Michael Conforto regains his stroke in the Pacific Coast League, chances are Nimmo will be back in New York to stay before long.

When the All-Star break ends, the Mets will start a nine game road trip on Friday, July 15 in Philadelphia before returning to Citi Field on Monday, July 25 to play the Cardinals.

Rockland Boulders outfielder Devin Harris was named the Can-Am League’s Player of the Month for July, as announced by Pointstreak, the league’s statistician on Wednesday afternoon. This is the first monthly award for the Boulders and the second league honor for Harris this season.

In his first month with the team, Harris hit an impressive .338 with four home runs and team-best 25 runs batted in in 23 games. He also slugged a robust .600 during July, along with a .400 on-base percentage. Of his 27 hits in those 23 games, the 6’4” outfielder recorded 12 extra-base hits and had eight multi-hit games.

Harris was also named the league’s Player of the Week on July 18 after a torrid pace that included 11 RBI in six games. Despite not yet qualifying for the league leaders, Harris is tops on the team in slugging percentage and also ranks second in batting average, fifth in homers and sixth in RBI.

Hail Mike Piazza and Hello Jay Bruce

BY JOE RINI 

Cold bats, brittle bodies, and blown saves drove the Mets down the standings and their fans to despair on the recently concluded 3-6 homestand. However, the Mets also kindled embers of hope for the final third of the season by acquiring slugger Jay Bruce at the trade deadline to bolster the offense and subsequently clubbed the Yankees 7-1 in his debut on August 2. Finally, on a celebratory note, the Mets capped off Mike Piazza’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame by retiring his number 31 before a joyful sellout crowd prior to Saturday’s game on July 30.

With a major league worst .205 batting average with runners in scoring position, the Mets struggle to knock in runs when not hitting home runs continued for much of the recent homestand. Also, the Mets suffered a couple of late gut-wrenching losses on consecutive days as closer Jeurys Familia streak of 52 saves in 52 opportunities dating back to last year was snapped when he blew two saves in less than 24 hours as the Cardinals stunned the Mets 5-4 on Wednesday night and the Rockies rallied to a 2-1 victory on Thursday afternoon.

The troops were further taxed with mounting injuries as Jose Reyes and Asdrubel Cabrera were placed on DL. Also, not only was the season of Juan Lagares possibly ended due to thumb surgery but the Gold Glove winner’s replacement Justin Ruggiano was also disabled with a hamstring injury after just three games. Additionally, Yoenis Cespedes continues to be plagued by a quad injury, hampering his ability to play centerfield and stay in the lineup consistently.

But with the Mets threatening to fall out of the race for even the second wildcard spot, GM Sandy Alderson acquired lefty power hitter Jay Bruce from the Reds in exchange for two prospects including Dilson Herrera, the former heir apparent to Daniel Murphy. The 29-year old Bruce is leading the league with 80 RBI to go along with 25 home runs and a .360 batting average with RISP.

Speaking of joining a contending team, Bruce told the press, “There’s an instant kind of recharge of the battery, getting into a pennant race and playing baseball that matters. When I was in Cincinnati, we played a lot of baseball that mattered, for a long time. Past couple of years have been tough. I’m really looking forward to getting back in and hopefully catching the Nationals.”

Perhaps the most joyful moment of the homestead occurred as the Mets unveiled Mike Piazza’s retired number 31. I asked Mike before the game about his experience playing for “big personalities” like Tom Lasorda and Bobby Valentine and he cited their similarities, with Valentine having played for Lasorda and Lasorda’s “affinity” for Valentine. Piazza said he “enjoyed playing for big personalities.” He cited Valentine and said he was, “great for the team and rivalries…pushed my buttons a little bit…but he knew how to drive me…it was the right place in the right time for me.” Chuckling, he added, “Maybe Tommy prepared me to play for Bobby.”

Surrounded by family and former teammates including Al Leiter, a grateful and humbled Piazza described himself as “blessed” and told the fans, “You’ve given me an honor that no man deserves and no player deserves.” Looking to his number in the upper deck of leftfield, Piazza said, “That means I will always be with you…So every time these guys are down and you need a little bit of inspiration, just give a little peek up there to ol’ Mikey.” Piazza capped off the festivities by throwing the ceremonial first pitch to his former battery mate Leiter before taking a victory lap around Citi Field.

The Town of Haverstraw at its August 8 meeting honored the North Rockland Senior Softball League, who brought home the 2016 New York State Championship trophy. Congratulations!

Red Raiders Preview: North Rockland gridders gird for rebound season

BY MARC MATURO  

       It takes a special breed to keep on trying when there seems to be no hope at all, so allow me to introduce the North Rockland High School football team as it prepares for its season opener against Section 1 and statewide powerhouse New Rochelle.

“As a staff, all we can do is look to compete,” offers intrepid veteran coach Tom Lynch of Stony Point, now in his 16^th year with the Red Raiders and into his sixth year as head coach following a 33-year run at Clarkstown South.

The one-time Clarkstown South HS football and baseball player, who took to the diamond at Oneonta, is no stranger to success. When he succeeded legendary Joe Casarella, who himself followed a legend (Ralph Cordisco), Lynch responded with three consecutive Section 1 finals before the Red Raiders dropped to 5-4. Then came last season, which can only be called a terrible season.

“Last year was a disaster,” Lynch said straightforwardly of an uncommon one-win season. “Everything that could go wrong went wrong. We had one of those seasons in baseball once. But don’t get me wrong. We started lifting after Thanksgiving and the players have bought into the program.”

Casarella, still the school’s athletic director as he celebrates his 50^th year at North Rockland, also would not sugarcoat last year, calling it “a terrible season.”

The Red Raiders have lost several players to catholic schools, but not to worry.

“We had a turnout of 80-81 kids (varsity and JV) the first day, which isn’t bad,” offered Casarella. “There was a lot of disappointment (last year), but you can get by with one (bad) year, but if more, it gets tougher.”

Lynch, for his part, has been around the block and is ready to tackle the season.

“We just had a parents’ meeting and they were pretty receptive,” Lynch noted. “We had a lot of bumps last year, but it’s easy to point fingers. I’m not blaming the kids, and I’m not blaming the coaches. I’m blaming everybody.”

The New Rochelle opener, on the road no less, actually offers both the staff and the players a golden opportunity to show their mettle against the toughest of opponents. And despite what anyone might say, the Red Raiders should relish the role of being a heavy underdog.

“Who knows, they (New Rochelle) are the team to beat, but it’ opening day and maybe we can catch them in a bad game,” said Lynch, a realist and optimist at the same time, who will be going against a longtime friend in Huguenots coach Lou DiRanzo. “We beat them in the Section 1 semifinal three years ago, so who knows.”

For their part, the Red Raiders are not devoid of special talents, including such stalwarts as senior receiver/RB Lamar Steward; senior running back Cameron Lewis; senior college prospect Patrick Fenton, the left offensive tackle; and offensive guard Anthony Imperato, a long-snap specialist who will take this specialty to the collegiate ranks.

“He’s a small guy, but will definitely play at the next level,” said Lynch, whose finest lineman ever was Eric Favor, now a shot-putter at South Carolina.

Senior Luke Martin is expected to handle the punting duties while junior Dylan Senatore, who played as a sophomore, is a dual threat the important quarterback position.

Lynch said the Red Raiders will again run the I formation, but will pass a bit more.

(Ed note: For my part, as a scribe who has covered countless so-called upsets, I would be surprised if North Rockland does not answer the bell and give New Rochelle a tussle, from start to finish.)

North Rockland schedule

(Home games in caps)

Sept. 3:  at New Rochelle, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 10: CLARKSTOWN SOUTH, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 17: RAMAPO, 1:30 p.m.; Sept. 23: at Suffern, 7 p.m.; October 1: at Scarsdale, 3 p.m.; October 8: CLARKSTOWN NORTH, 1:30 p.m.

Other opening games:

Sept. 2: Nyack at Tappan Zee, 7 p.m.;  Clarkstown North at Clarkstown South (West Nyack), 7 p.m.; Ramapo at Suffern, 7 p.m.; Spring Valley at Horace Greeley (Chappaqua), 7 p.m..

Sept. 3: Pearl River at Walter Panas (Cortlandt Manor), 1:30 p.m.; Albertus Magnus at Pleasantville, 1:30 p.m.; Ardsley at Nanuet, 1:30 p.m.

(Ed note: please forward any schedule corrections/changes to marcmaturo@aol.com).

HELP FOR TOMMY: Hopefully the first of several fund-raisers to assist former Clarkstown South quarterback, Tommy McGuire, a recent Manhattan College graduate who was
paralyzed in a swimming pool accident on June 11, was held at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona on Sunday.  McGuire, 23, played for Coach Mike Scarpelli, who is planning other fund-raisers at the season opener against rival Clarkstown North, and at the November alumni tournament. The event held prior to a Rockland Boulders game was held in conjunction with Triple P Promotions and included a softball game that featured, among others, St. Thomas Aquinas College softball coach Kristen Sullivan and former Yankees catcher Rick Cerone. “Tommy’s attitude is pretty good, considering,” his father Tom McGuire, was quoted as saying on LoHud.com. “He knows it was a bad accident and kind of what happened …. He knows he can’t move his arms and legs.” For information contact Coach Scarpelli at  mscarpelli05@gmail.com.

COLLEGIATE CLIPS: Ashley Lew of New City, a sophomore shortstop on the Northeast-10 Conference Championship Pace University softball team, was named to the Jewish Sports Review’s all-America Team (D-II, D-III, NAIA). Lew, whose highlight season led to a number of awards, batted .400 with 37 runs and 46 hits. She added two home runs and 16 RBI, and was successful on 21-of-23 stolen base attempts. She had a .939 fielding percentage while starting all 44 games and also slugged six doubles and a triple, with an on-base percentage of .504.

Clarkstown South HS alum Adam Klein and top competitor Darren Guzman of Teaneck, N.J., return to practice today with the second-year Dominican College men’s cross country team, which opens its season on Sept. 2 at the Ramapo College Roadrunners Invitational at Garret Mountain in New Jersey. Coach Jamie Kempton’s squad,  which is limited  in number and still being formed, includes Chris Vaught of Hillhouse H.S. in New Haven, Conn; Andrew Souza, a freshman from New London, Conn.; and David Jeffers, another freshman, from Seward HS in Florida, N,Y.  

THIS & THAT: The Celtic Club will host its annual Memorial Golf Outing on August 27 at Broadacres in Orangeburg. The outing starts with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start followed by a BBQ dinner at Broadacres. The club’s championship is set for Sept. 10-11, which is open to all Orangetown residents and Grandfathered members with a sanctioned USGA or MGA handicap. Larry Ayers is the defending champion. Contact the Blue Hill Pro Shop at (845) 735-2094 or email at proshop@bluehillgolfcourse.com. … The Sports Business Journal will be hold the fourth annual Game Changers Conference at the New York Marriott Marquis, Times Square, on September 15. The Game Changers Conference focuses on the multiple ways in which women intersect with sports. Built into the program are ample networking opportunities, including a networking reception at the conclusion of the event where this year’s honorees will be recognized. Details at http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Conferences-Events/2016/GC.aspx. … White Wolf Sports, a new website launching on September 8, is looking for interns. Writers needed for feature writing, athlete coverage, college sports (football and basketball). Respond to david.chappine@gmail.com.

SNIPPETS: The 2^nd annual Nyack Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner is scheduled September 29 at the Patriot Hills Clubhouse in Stony Point beginning at 6 p.m. State champion wrestler Marcel Cooper, who was also a two-time Senior National Champion while serving in the U.S. Army, heads a 10-member elite class that includes Julian Gould, Gary Gray, Jermaine Harris, Paul Lankau, John Reilly, Alvin Simonds, Shulton Whitley, Erica Lawrence and Dan White.

Contact the athletic office at 845-353-7135. … Football coach Mike Scarpelli, who ran track at Clarkstown South for the legendary Ray Konkracke, has a blue-chipper in two-way safety/running back Kyle Samuels. … At Nanuet, Coach Phil Carbone can expect another big season from four-year standout Connor Breit, a bruising back who also wrestles. … Coach Andrew Delva at Spring Valley is fortunate enough to have a pair of Division I prospects in 6-foot-2, 220-pound quarterback Ori Jean-Charles, who as a junior passed for 1,429 yards and 20 TDs and ran for 1,009 yards and five TDs; and 6-5, 240-pound tight end/defensive end Devan Lawson.

More Sports

COLLEGIATE CLIPS: Ashley Lew of New City, a sophomore shortstop on the Northeast-10 Conference Championship Pace University softball team, was named to the Jewish Sports Review’s all-America Team (D-II, D-III, NAIA). Lew, whose highlight season led to a number of awards, batted .400 with 37 runs and 46 hits. She added two home runs and 16 RBI, and was successful on 21-of-23 stolen base attempts. She had a .939 fielding percentage while starting all 44 games and also slugged six doubles and a triple, with an on-base percentage of .504. … Clarkstown South HS alum Adam Klein and top competitor Darren Guzman of Teaneck, N.J., return to practice today with the second-year Dominican College men’s cross country team, which opens its season on Sept. 2 at the Ramapo College Roadrunners Invitational at Garret Mountain in New Jersey. Coach Jamie Kempton’s squad,  which is limited  in number and still being formed, includes Chris Vaughtof Hillhouse H.S. in New Haven, Conn; Andrew Souza, a freshman from New London, Conn.; and David Jeffers, another freshman, from Seward HS in Florida, N,Y.

THIS & THAT: The Celtic Club will host its annual Memorial Golf Outing on August 27 at Broadacres in Orangeburg. The outing starts with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start followed by a BBQ dinner at Broadacres. The club’s championship is set for Sept. 10-11, which is open to all Orangetown residents and Grandfathered members with a sanctioned USGA or MGA handicap. Larry Ayers is the defending champion. Contact the Blue Hill Pro Shop at (845) 735-2094 or email at proshop@bluehillgolfcourse.com. … The Sports Business Journal will be hold the fourth annual Game Changers Conference at the New York Marriott Marquis, Times Square, on September 15. The Game Changers Conference focuses on the multiple ways in which women intersect with sports. Built into the program are ample networking opportunities, including a networking reception at the conclusion of the event where this year’s honorees will be recognized. Details at http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Conferences-Events/2016/GC.aspx. … White Wolf Sports, a new website launching on September 8, is looking for interns. Writers needed for feature writing, athlete coverage, college sports (football and basketball). Respond to david.chappine@gmail.com.

Collins Calls Out Team After Sweep

By Joe Rini

Ahh, remember those carefree days of February in Florida with Yoenis Cespedes and Noah Syndergaard strolling into Mets training camp atop horses, with visions of a championship in the hopeful eyes of all fans.

Well, five and a half months later, a thoroughbred named Syndergaard has as many wins in August as the pitcher, Cespedes is on the DL, and the horserace that is the NL pennant race sees the Mets at the top of the stretch with the leaders far in the distance as the Amazins desperately try to finish in the money and earn the second wildcard spot.

The last three weeks have been a cruel reversal of fortunes for the Mets from last year. Whereas the 2015 vintage had won 15 of 22 games and vaulted themselves into first place entering game 120, this year’s team has dropped 14 of 22 over the same span and they trail the second wildcard spot by three games as they battle St. Louis, Miami, and Pittsburgh for baseball’s postseason consolation prize.

Even with the young starting staff battling fatigue, mounting injuries, and the offense’s ongoing problems scoring runs consistently, the hope was the Mets would gain ground in the standings with six games at Citi Field last week against two weaker NL West teams but instead they dropped four straight to Arizona and San Diego including a three game sweep by the Diamondbacks.

After the Diamondbacks completed the sweep with a 9-0 shelling on a stifling hot Thursday afternoon on August 11, a very frustrated Terry Collins answered the first and only question of his postgame presence with a four minute diatribe questioning his team’s effort before storming out for a 15 minute players only meeting in the locker room.

Speaking to reporters, Collins said, “I’ll stand up and be accountable. That’s what I do. But I know one thing, there’s got to be a passion to come and play. There’s got to be a sense of, ‘This what I do for a living. The people who pay to see me play are going to see my best effort.'”

“Starting tomorrow, we’re going to get after it here. And those who don’t want to get after it, I will find somebody else who does. Because in Las Vegas, there’s a whole clubhouse filled of guys who want to sit in this room. And I’ll find them.”

The Mets are 3-2 since Collins’ tirade and are in the midst of a 10 game road trip that could see them scheduling early October vacation plans if they don’t improve soon. After three games in Arizona, the competition ratchets up several notches against the Giants and Cardinals. Yet as Terry Collins said of his undermanned team, “I don’t care who’s not here. There are no excuses here. These are major league baseball players.”

In other news, the Mets became the first New York men’s pro sports team to sponsor Pride Night on August 13 with a portion of ticket proceeds going to the LGBT Network and its anti-bullying Safe Schools Initiative. Finally, in a sad note, original Met Clarence “Choo Choo” Coleman passed away on August 15 in South Carolina at the age of 80. A fan favorite despite his limitations on the field, Casey Stengel joked of the fleet footed Coleman that he never saw a catcher run after passed balls so quickly.

Follow me at faninthebox.com.

Red Raiders cross country looking for another run to a championship

BY MARC MATURO

He’s not a new sheriff in town, nor even a new coach or new to North Rockland High School, but Chris Lent does have a new title: varsity coach of the Red Raiders’ boys cross country team.

 “We’re looking pretty good,” said Lent on Monday, following the team’s first double session. “We did a 5k time trial to get a base after the summer. Some did pretty good, some need more work. I expect a resurgent year for North Rockland, to make a championship team.”

Lent, who ran cross country and track and also wrestled at North Rockland, succeeds Barry Baloga — who himself put together some very-fine squads — after five years as co-coach of the modified team.

A seventh-grade social studies teacher at Fieldstone Middle School, Lent is a graduate of Binghamton College, where is competed on the mats for one season. With a wrestling background to go with his running experience, Lent wants to incorporate some strength techniques that will boost his runners’ aerobic as well as anaerobic power.

“I encourage the kids to play year-round and stay in shape, whatever the sport,” continued Lent, who was among the top runners for Coach Gene Dall in 1995-96.

“In high school I started running to stay in condition for wrestling — and it stuck,” Lent recounted.

As for the Red Raiders’ chances this season, Lent has a core group of five scorers coming back, on a squad of some 30 thinclads.

The top trio, all of whom earned all-county honors in the fall, winter and spring, consists of Dylan Serino, Ryan Guzinski and Patrick Tuohy.

“I’m counting on them,” Lent said, who is also looking for top efforts from Victor Carrano and Nevin Mathew.

One or more than one of the top five needs to produce, especially in the absence of graduate T.J. Morales, who is now running at the collegiate level.

The season kicks off in earnest at Bear Mountain State Park on September 9, when North Rockland hosts the annual Red Raiders Run, which is slated to start at 4 p.m.

“For me personally, this is a big season, and for the juniors and seniors too,” Lent notes. “This is the first group I coached at the middle school level and now it will be the last time before graduating North Rockland. So, it’s especially important for me.” 

HAIL TO THE OTB PIRATES: Hard as it may seem to believe – Coach John Greeley of Stony Point calls it “unbelievable” – the rejuvenated OTB Senior Pirates won the American Legion state championship by beating McKeever, their counterparts from Buffalo, 4-2 in Utica to punctuate an unblemished, hard-to-believe 29-0 season. “It was unbelievable, and the games are tough, we got through it. It’s hard to win 29 games in a row, especially in baseball,” said Greeley, who played at Rockland Community College and Manhattan College in the 80’s. In the title game, North Rockland HS senior Kenny Hoppe of Thiells snapped a 2-2 tie in the 7^th inning with an RBI triple, and then scored on a single by center fielder John Baly of Tappan Zee HS.

Right-handed pitcher James Reilly of Garnerville, an Albertus Magnus alum bound for James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., was the winning pitcher. Southpaw Chris Dodrill, also of Garnerville, who is headed to SUNY Cortlandt – which won the national championship two years ago – pitched two scoreless innings for the save.

The Pirates’ magnificent run ended at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships in Leesburg, Va., falling to opponents from Maryland and Virginia.

The Pirates, recalls Greeley, went through a couple of years where things didn’t work out, but the program appears back on track.

“It’s a good league, an important part of the community and it’s really good baseball,” Greeley said. “It was great and we want to keep it going. We already have a couple of young guys coming up (next year).”

Coach Greeley also recognized the input of his staff, namely Tom Bohlander, Phil Fratello and George Nicks, all of Stony Point.

Nicks specialized in helping the players handle two-strike counts, when they needed to concentrate on just meeting the ball and force the opposition to make the play, and perhaps help the team.

Other roster members: Frank Nigro, Stony Point, catcher, bound for Wilmington University; Stephen Greeley, catcher, Albertus Magnus HS senior; state tournament most valuable player Robert Ottaviano, pitcher/third baseman, already at Oneonta; Joseph Ottaviano, pitcher/outfielder, Albertus Magnus junior; District most valuable player John Mesagno, left fielder/third baseman, Tappan; Billy Rotella, second baseman/outfielder, Stony Point, North Rockland graduate; Pat Bateman, second baseman/outfielder, Pearl River graduate; Bryan Borrusso, first baseman, Tappan Zee graduate; Eric Sandusky, left-handed pitcher, North Rockland grad bound for Cortlandt; Peter Lombardi, Stony Point, outfielder, senior at St. Joseph’s; Brian Bohlander, Stony Point, first baseman/third baseman, North Rockland graduate; Billy Manzo, Suffern, southpaw pitcher; Christian Nicolosi, pitcher/outfielder, already at Quinnipiac.

CHARGERS LAND A NUGGET OR TWO: The Dominican College men’s cross country and track programs have been greatly upgraded with the addition of Olympic Trials steeplechaser Michael Jordan, as a high-profile assistant coach under Jamie Kempton of Nanuet. The Chargers also landed Rollens Florvil, a freshman out of Ramapo H.S., who will run both cross country and track. Jordan, a five-time all-American at the University of Southern Indiana, runs professionally for the New Jersey-New York Track Club. He competed in the recent Olympic Trials in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, with a personal best of 8:35 that was just 3.47 seconds away from an Olympic berth.  He was Penn Relays champion in that event this past April.

COLLEGIATE CLIPS: Chris Estevez of Garnerville, a sophomore forward, and freshman back Nicholas Fiore of New City will help the men’s soccer team at St. Thomas Aquinas College inaugurate its season with two home matches against Georgian Court University at 2:30 p.m. on September 1 and nearby rival Nyack College at noon on September 3. Both games are scheduled at the Spartans’ field off Route 340 in Sparkill. … The Dominican College women’s soccer team opens its season on the road at the Merrimack College Kickoff Tournament in Andover, Mass. The Lady Chargers are to meet Bentley and the host school before opening their home season on September 7 at 4 p.m. against New York Institute of Technology. Dominican stays at home on September 10 to host Wilmington University at noon.

Rockland-Westchester Challenge highlights Labor Day

Pearl River, coming off marvelous season, to meet rival Lakeland in featured game; Albertus Magnus, which hopes to surprise again, takes on Valhalla

BY MARC MATURO 

It’s fitting perhaps that the Albertus Magnus High School and Pearl River High School boys soccer teams, both faced with different challenges this season, get underway on Labor Day at the fourth annual Rockland-Westchester Challenge.

The Challenge, inaugurated three years ago by Lakeland HS, is scheduled at the OMM soccer field complex in Orangeburg. There are five games on the agenda, beginning at 2 p.m., and features the Pearl River-Lakeland matchup at 6:30 p.m.

(Schedule: 2 p.m. – Albertus Magnus vs. Valhalla; North Rockland vs. Scarsdale; 4 p.m. – Tappan Zee vs. Byram Hills; Suffern vs. Mamaroneck; 6:30 p.m. – Pearl River vs. Lakeland)

“It’s a fund-raiser that’s become a tradition,” notes Pirates coach Damon O’Keefe of Tappan, who was a three-sport athlete at Tuxedo HS and later survived three-plus years on the rugby pitch while at SUNY Cortlandt.

This year the beneficiaries are Pearl River senior Francesco Galvano,  whose blood cancer diagnosed in middle school apparently is in remission; and two families in need in the community. Galvano, whose recovery has been going well, especially the last three years, said O’Keefe, will be used at a forward position.

Record run

Pearl River’s challenge, in particular, is to put last season’s first-ever foray into the state championship game and 20-3 record in the past, while the problem confronting the Albertus Magnus Falcons is replacing a top-notch goaltender and much of its defense corps. (Pearl River’s sectional title was the first for the school since 1995 in boys soccer.)

Coach O’Keefe, who lost three players now at the collegiate level and a team captain who has enough talent to play at that level, realizes the only way to improve upon last season would be to win a state title, no easy task.

“What we’ve been harping on is forgetting the past and moving on,” O’Keefe notes. “We have a good group of guys – the first 11 are skilled with the ball. If we can come together physically and emotionally we’ll be all right.”

At Albertus Magnus, where Coach Fitzpatrick is into his 20^th year on the sideline, the Falcons are coming off what he described as a “decent year,” going 8-8-1.

“We surprised (the opposition) a bit last year, so we’d like to improve upon that,” added Fitzpatrick, a 1990 alum of Albertus Magnus who played soccer for the Falcons and then at Manhattan College.

Special inductions

Interestingly, this year marks the 10^th anniversary of Coach Fitzpatrick’s 2006 state championship team, which will be inducted into the school’s hall of fame on November 19 (for information call 845-623-8842).

The leading scorer of that team was Kyle Hoffer, who then starred at St. John’s University and only recently stopped playing professionally in Europe. Hoffer will be an assistant coach, as he often contributed beforehand whenever he was in town.

Looking to this season, Coach Fitzpatrick is counting upon several standouts, led by co-captains Kieran Doherty, a junior and the only defender who is returning, and senior center midfielder Joe Michalak.

“He’s a great player, well respected; talks a lot on the field,” Coast Fitzpatrick said of Doherty. Then, assessing Michalak, said “We’re going to run the offense through him. He’s good with the ball, has great vision, can score and is a real hard worker.”

Senior Ellis Sanches, used mostly in  the midfield last season, will be tried as a forward this year where he can use his speed and ball-handling.

Pearl River, which has developed a rivalry with Lakeland, is looking for its third straight win against the Hornets – whose coach Tim Hourahan has developed a friendship with his Pirates counterpart.

The Pirates, feels Coach O’Keefe, are very strong in goal with veteran senior Dolan Ocasal. Returning defenders are seniors Christian Madigan and Timmy Valentine.

Coach Fitzpatrick, conversely, has not yet settled on the goalie position, and is planning to use both senior Chris McAvoy and sophomore Steven Travaglini  — a field player on the junior varsity a year ago — until a steady starter emerges.

Chris McAvoy’s brother Patrick – now playing at Lasell College in Boston, Mass. – is the big void to fill in net, while Michael Padron was a key defenseman lost to graduation.

“That’s two big holes to fill; they were our captains last year,” concluded Coach Fitzpatrick.

IN BRIEF: The North Rockland HS volleyball team, powered by outside hitter Madison Monahan, opens its season on September 8 at Fox Lane in Bedford. The Red Raiders are expected to threaten in Class AA.

COLLEGIATE CLIPS: The men’s and women’s cross country teams at Nyack College are off and running on September 3, competing in the Wilmington Invite at Carousel Park in Wilmington, Del. The women will race over 5k starting at 9:45 a.m. while the men’s 8k is scheduled to start at 10:30. …The men’s and women’s cross country teams at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill are heavily laden with county talent. On the men’s side, the squad includes junior Vincent Vasquezand freshman Stefan Saeed, both of Stony Point; Kyle Kondracki of Pearl River; Austin Lubbe of New City, and Mich Philistin of Spring Valley, all freshmen; and senior standout Jamar Linares of  Nyack. The women’s team includes senior Kaitlyn O’Grady and freshman Aida Torpey, both of Tomkins Cove; senior Jumana Khatib and junior Angelica Matwiejczuk, both of Suffern; and junior Kara Santa Teresa of Nanuet. The Spartans and Lady Spartans open the season onSeptember 10 at the Fordham Fiasco, to be held at Van Cortland Park in the Bronx. The women’s race is slated to start at 9:30 a.m. with the men’s race at 10. … The Iona College women’s soccer team, which includes forward Marisa Bentley of Blauvelt, will be home in New Rochelle on September 2 to meet New Jersey Institute of Technology at 3 p.m. … Deja Smith of Suffern is a middle hitter on the women’s volleyball team at SUNY Cortlandt. The Red Dragons are home on Sept. 2-3 for contests against Misericordia, Rochester, Stockton and Alfred. Cortlandt next competes at the Austin College Invitational in Sherman, Texas, Sept. 9-14. … The SUNY Plattsburgh men’s cross country team hosts the Cardinal Classic at Rugar Woods on September 3. The Cardinals feature Clarkstown North HS alum Zach Rose of New City and North Rockland HS graduate Stephen Schnalzer of Garnerville.

Matz and Walker Battle Injuries

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOE RINI

Just when it seemed like the 2016 dreams of the Mets were dashed and the Terry Collins farewell tour was about to begin in San Francisco, the Amazins have won eight of 10 games heading into play on August 31 as they hope their September stretch drive will lead to a wildcard berth in October.

Powered by the return from the disabled list of Yoenis Cespedes, Asdrubal Cabrera and a revitalized Jose Reyes at the top of the lineup, the Mets have won four of five on the current 10 game homestand.

Yet even with the team’s current hot streak, the injury bug has been relentless as Steven Matz (shoulder soreness) and Neil Walker (injured back) face a possible early end to their seasons. Matz was expected to return from the DL and start against the Marlins on Thursday but he’ll be scratched after experiencing soreness while throwing on flat ground on Monday.

Matz told reporters on Tuesday, “I don’t quite feel like I can let it go yet. I talked to them — the training staff — and that’s the decision, just to give it some rest and let it calm down.” Matz will be replaced by Jacob deGrom, who the Mets had hoped to rest a few more days after the team skipped the fatigued righthander’s regular turn in the rotation on Monday.

The beleaguered Mets pitching staff has been bolstered in recent days by the contributions of rookies Seth Lugo, Rob Gsellman, and Rafael Montero in addition to the performance of fan favorite Bartolo Colon, who not only collected his 12^th win on August 26 against the Phillies but had his first two-hit game at the plate in 14 years.

Prior to the game on August 26, a 9-4 Mets win, I asked Terry Collins how the team had been affected by the loss of David Wright and Matt Harvey from a leadership perspective, and he said, “David Wright’s presence is missed on the road. His respect around the league is second to none… in the clubhouse, when David Wright says something to you, you really pay attention… we’ve had to work hard to find leadership to step in.”

Collins continued, “When Matt Harvey is going good, he is an attention grabber… It takes a little heat off the other guys around him. They’re the guys everyone turns to.”

Collins said it’s been an adjustment period to replace them. “We’ve had to ask guys to take a leadership role that normally just play.” Speaking of the mettle the Mets have shown this season in the face of adversity and without leaders Wright and Harvey, Collins repeated a sentiment he’d expressed earlier, “Are we happy with our record? No. But…I’m really proud how guys have stepped up and kept us in the hunt because they could have said, ‘That’s not my job. My job is to be a piece, not a main piece.’ We need guys to be a main piece.”

Also in attendance at the August 26^th game was Rockland County resident David Pollack, better known as the radio host of the “Taxi Dave Show” on WOR-710 AM on Sundays at 8:00 PM. “Taxi Dave” was a guest photographer at the game as part of a fundraising event for the Hagerdorn Little Village School of Seaford, New York, which provides educational and therapeutic services to children with special needs. Given that the Mets opened Friday’s game with home runs by their first two batters for only the second time in franchise history, perhaps Taxi Dave should be invited back soon.

BY MARC MATURO 

Pearl River field hockey ready to face new opposition

Pirates will be tested early and often in league realignment

       The Pearl River High School field hockey team will face a new challenge this season, but co-coaches Tracy Miller and Shane Carlacci seem to have enough core talent to meet it successfully.

The Pirates, who had to rebuild the previous two seasons following the graduation of 10 players each year, will face each Rockland County opponent only once this season as Section 1 realigned the league structure. Thus, the Pirates will be facing several teams that previously they would meet only in the postseason.

The season got under way earlier this week with a road game against Suffern, with the Pirates’ home opener scheduled September 13 at 4:15 p.m. against Rye. Pearl River then meets Nanuet and Lakeland, both on the road.

“It’s a pretty challenging start, and the schedule is tougher for us, but we have several returning starters,” noted Coach Miller, a Pearl River resident who played the sport at Hobart College and has been involved with the program for six years after volunteering for several years.

The Pirates hope to have strengthened their defense, beginning with the shift of Kelly Ann Henry from the midfield to fullback, and with veteran junior Kerry Gettler “the voice in the back end,” as the returning goaltender. Theresa Glynn joins Henry at fullback, and Brianne Lee is well-positioned at center back.

Senior Michaela Murphy is another returning starter, and sophomores Megan Delaney and Breanne Dolphin and junior Elizabeth Gilbride form a solid core at midfield.

“We definitely have a stronger defense,” added Coach Miller. “We are changing our field formation, and going for more speed.”

GRIDIRON RECAPS

Tappan Zee 21, Nyack 7: Once a lightweight in football circles, the Dutchmen have rebuilt the program under veteran coach Andy DiDomenico and are not adverse to flexing their muscle. Tappan Zee opened its season at home in Orangeburg against the Nyack Indians, who also have a veteran coach but one that is new to the team in Dominick DeMatteo. The Dutchmen — who remain at home on September 9 to meet Lakeland (0-1) at 7 p.m. — shut down the Indians with a dominant defensive line and stole the offensive spotlight behind the work of Nick Violetto. Although the Dutchmen used eight ball-carriers, Violetto carried the load, running for 84 yards with a second-quarter touchdown while doing double duty at linebacker. Matt McGivney picked up 51 yards with two touchdowns.

New Rochelle 34, North Rockland 13: The Red Raiders, in their season opener, came up short against the unbeaten (3-0) host Huguenots. Coach Tom Lynch’s squad looks to rebound at home on September 10 against Clarkstown South, which is coming off a thrilling 14-13 victory over rival Clarkstown North in the Supervisor’s Cup. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. The Red Raiders trailed just 21-13 at halftime, but were worn down by the relentless Huguenots. North Rockland junior QB Dylan Senatore was 8 of 19 for 135 yards and a TD. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Pleasantville 13, Albertus Magnus 7: The Falcons (0-1) return home on September 10 for a 1:30 p.m. game against Yonkers Montessori Academy, which also lost it season opener.

Spring Valley 38, Horace Greeley 0: Coach Andrew Delva’s team, which overwhelmed the visiting Quakers as Tyreke Smith ran for 153 yards and four touchdowns, travels across the river to Bedford on September 9 to challenge Fox Lane at 7 p.m. The Foxes are coming off a 19-12 win over Port Chester.

Ramapo 24, Suffern 20: The Gryphons, after winning on the road behind 163 yards and two touchdowns from Lorenzo Henderson, host Clarkstown North at 7 p.m. on September 9. North, which had taken the lead on junior Eric Maurer’s rushing TD, looks to rebound following a tough 14-13 loss to rival Clarkstown South in the Supervisor’s Cup. Henderson also returned an interception for a TD, and participated in 17 tackles.

Pearl River 34, Walter Panas 31: The Pirates, who opened at home with a thrilling victory, visit Yorktown on September 9 for a 7 p.m. contest.

Nanuet 20, Ardsley 14: The Golden Knights, after winning their season and home opener, take to the road on September 10 to challenge Irvington at 1:30 p.m.

COLLEGIATE CLIPS: North Rockland HS alum Gavin Maher of Stony Point, a defensive lineman, combined on a sack as the Pace University football team bowed to host Millersville (Pa.) University, 28-7, in its season opener. The Setters, who hope to rebound in Pleasantville on September 9 against Assumption College in a 7 p.m. contest, blocked three kicks in defeat. … The Setters’ men’s cross country team, which opens its season in Poughkeepsie at 10 a.m. on September 10 at the Vassar Ron Stonitsch Invitational, features senior Lee Allen of New City, a graduate of Clarkstown North HS, and Tappan Zee alum Dan Citardi, a junior, of Blauvelt. … Spring Valley HS alum Rickey McGill will be returning for his sophomore season as a guard on the Iona College men’s basketball team. As a freshman, McGill averaged 11 minutes and three points a game, with 22 assists and 22 steals on the season. The Gaels open the new campaign on November 15 at Florida State and the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. The Gaels take on the Seminoles for the second time in history and the first time since the 2009 Old Spice Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. … Tappan Zee HS graduate James Hennessy earned a start on defense as a freshman, helping the SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team defeat Norwich, 1-0, in the Hawks’s season-opening match in the SUNY Oswego Tournament. The women’s team features sophomore Raven Blake of New City on defense, and Suffern HS alumna Katelyn Cordero as a senior goalkeeper. … Junior Brittany Grandville of Tappan chalked up a 6-0, 6-0 victory as the SUNY New Paltz women’s tennis team opened up its fall schedule with a 9-0 victory against non-conference opponent Rutgers-Newark. Grandville also won in doubles, along with junior Taylor Mormile, an alumna of Albertus Magnus HS. New Paltz begins SUNYAC East Division action Sept. 9-10, playing against SUNY Cortland and SUNY Oneonta. … Pearl River HS graduate Glenn Watson is a freshman member on the golf team at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill. The Spartans open the fall season on September 11 at the Franklin Pierce Invitational, to be held at Bretwood Golf Course in Keene, N.H. … Westchester Community College women’s bowler Stephanie Frank, an alumna of North Rockland HS, was named to the all Mid-Hudson Conference academic team for the 2016 winter season.

THIS & THAT: Can anyone dethrone Arthur Gunter? The Upper Nyack resident and Orangetown middle school teacher is set to again defend the title in the 28^th annual South Nyack 10-mile Run, set for 8:30 a.m. on September 11. The race begins at the Franklin Street Park in South Nyack and continues to Piermont Pier and back. Another field in excess of 500 runners is expected, under the auspices of the Rockland Road Runners and long-time race director Mike Angarola. The event – which has never been interrupted by rain — marks the 15^th anniversary of 9/11, and as it was at the 10^th anniversary, the Piermont Fire Department will hold a special ceremony that necessitates a detour for the runners. Nothing, however, ever seems to derail perennial champion Gunther, who will be using the 10-miler as a test run for an upcoming marathon. … Touching Bases Baseball, a league for adults with disabilities, opens its 15^th season on September 10 from 9:15 a.m. to noon at South Orangetown Little League. The program, notes founder Bob Baird, has grown into 220-plus players and 14 teams.

       Battle-tested Spring Valley gridders grind it out

Despite obstacles, Coach Andrew Delva & Co. keep Tigers motivated, competitive and many times on top

       Whoever said life is a bowl of cherries?

The Spring Valley High School football team has experienced firsthand the grit and determination it takes to overcome obstacles, including budget cuts and subsequent program cuts, and has managed to remain competitive under the guidance of eighth-year Coach Andrew Delva.

The Tigers made it two straight with a convincing 34-14 victory over Fox Lane last week in Bedford despite the absence of injured star quarterback Ori Jean-Charels, and go for another win on September 16 at 7 p.m. with another road contest at winless Ossining.

“He’s week to week — we’ll probably hold him out again,” Delva said of his starting QB.

Himself a graduate of Spring Valley, Delva’s staff is also comprised of Tigers graduates and fellow teammates, to wit: offensive coordinator Pierre Thevenot; special teams and linemen coordinator Michael Demosthene; head JV coach Ricky Delva; and running backs coach Jeff Johnson.

Doug Carey, a long-time teacher in the system, handles the kicking responsibilities. Last week in the win over Fox Lane, junior Steve Estive booted a 39-yard field goal.

Also scoring last week were wide receiver/defensive back Elijah Demosthene, a nephew of Coach Michael Demosthene; wide receiver/defensive back Isiah Dean, who took a kickoff return 89 yards to pay dirt; highly touted tight end/defensive end Devan Lawson, who has already received offers from Boston College, Monmouth, Albany, Army, William & Mary and Idaho; slot back/defensive back Woodmere Jean-Francois; and running back/linebacker Michael Maynes.

Senior safety Michael Mirville, pressed into duty at QB as Jean-Charles recovers from an injured right knee, had an 8-yard TD toss to Lawson over the middle.

The defensive line – perhaps Coach Delva’s baby as he played defensive end at Western Connecticut State College – is comprised of two-way starters Josh Ramponeau, a center; guards Jaylin Best and Ryson Bulluck, a nephew of ex-Tennessee Titans linebacker and Clarkstown North HS alum Keith Bulluck; and tackles Mark Augustine and Sherdon Bellefleur. Sophomore C.J. McBean is also used at guard and tackle.

Noting the preponderance of two-way players, Coach Delva easily said, “We have to play the best players.”

Among them is senior running back Tyreke Smith.

Jean-Charles, as with Lawson, is coveted by DI colleges including Albany and Florida A&M.

“These guys are the real deals, no question about it,” Coach Delva unequivocally noted.

Delva, who is into his 11^th season overall with Spring Valley, said his best record ever as head coach was 6-3.

“The road to winning games can be tough with our situation – we do the best we can,” he said. “The budget cuts are a hardship … we lose kids to private schools. What we’ve done is work hard to challenge ourselves and be competitive. Despite everything, a lot of good things happen, like the Spring Valley Linemen Challenge each year.”

This year’s event, which provides a summer opportunity for interior players to compete against one another, attracted 12 schools from Rockland, Westchester and New Jersey.

As the man said: A lot of good things happen.

Next challenge: Ossining.

“All I know is they are a basic Westchester team, with a very good running back – No. 11 (Shamar Holebrook),” concluded Coach Delva, without sounding terribly concerned.

GRIDIRON RECAP

Nanuet 36, Irvington 0: The Golden Knights, who rolled to their second victory in an away game, host Albertus Magnus on September 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Albertus Magnus 41, Yonkers Montessori Academy 14: The Falcons enjoyed a feast at home, with Kyle Teneyck carrying 10 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns while Collin Crispino totaled 59 yards on just four carries. Mike Accurso added a touchdown pass. The Falcons visit nearby Nanuet on September 17 for a game at 1:30 p.m.

Clarkstown South at North Rockland: In a game that was completed just this Monday after being stopped at halftime on Saturday, the Vikings posted their second victory, 24-7. South returns to action on September 16, meeting Suffern at 7 p.m.

Nyack 27, Long Island Lutheran 20: The Indians bounced back from a season-opening loss to Tappan Zee, giving their new coach, Dominick DeMatteo, his first win at the school. Nyack hosts Lakeland on September 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school field.

Clarkstown North 47, Ramapo 6: Coach Joe Trongone and the Rams, coming off a tough one-point loss to rival Clarkstown South, proved too much too handle in this road victory. The Rams host Mamaroneck (1-1) on September 16 at 7 p.m.

Yorktown 35, Pearl River 6: The Pirates were overwhelmed on the road, and have a neutral non-conference contest scheduled on September 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Suffern 23, White Plains 6: The Mounties, who handled the home-standing Tigers to level their record at 1-1, have a tough road to hoe when they challenge Clarkstown South on September 16 at 7 p.m. in an away conference game.

Tappan Zee 10, Lakeland 0: The no-name Dutchmen defense again stood tall in posting the shutout in Shrub Oak. Tappan Zee’s formidable team again hits the road on September 16 to tackle Walter Panas at 7 p.m. in Cortlandt Manor.

COLLEGIATE CLIPS: Tappan Zee HS graduate Brittany Grandville survived a battle at second flight singles to win 7-6, 7-5 as the SUNY New Paltz women’s tennis team defeated host Oneonta, 9-0. At No. 1 doubles Grandville teamed with Carol Tyson of Clinton Corners and earned an 8-4 victory. The Hawks, 3-0 overall, visit Plattsburgh for a SUNYAC East match on September 16. … The women’s cross country team at Dominican College placed third at the Purchase Invitational. Dominican was led by freshman  Kaitlynn Connor of Warwick, taking fourth with a clocking of 21:42.5 in a 5k challenge. Allison Moroney of Pearl River, another freshman, was timed in 26-flat. … Suffern HS alumna Cristina Andrade is a sophomore on the women’s cross country team at Baruch College, which competes at the Queensborough CC Invitational on September 18 at Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale at 10 a.m. … Suffern HS alumna Katelyn Cordero of Airmont had an outstanding effort in goal as the New Paltz women’s soccer team salvaged a 2-2 double overtime draw against Elmira in the consolation match of the Mount Saint Mary Tournament in Newburgh. The Hawks tied the game at 2-2 with junior Gabriella Cabello of Hauppauge scoring on an assist from Cordero, who picked up a loose ball and dribbled through the Elmira defense. Cordero played 65 minutes, all in the second half and extra time, and posted three saves. … North Rockland HS graduate Matt Caputo of Stony Point had an interception for one of five turnovers, helping nationally the 16th-ranked Cortland football team defeat visiting Framingham State, 49-21, in a non-league matchup. Clarkstown South HS alum Shane Cronin of West Nyack averaged 39.5 yards per punt, with two of his four kicks pinning the Rams inside the 20-yard line, and he made all seven of his PAT kicks. The Dominican College men’s soccer team bowed to LIU, 7-0, in a non-conference game at the University of Bridgeport Soccer Classic. Meanwhile, the Lady Chargers lost to the visiting Wildcats of Wilmington University, 3-1, at the DC Soccer Field in Orangeburg.

THIS & THAT: The NYU School of Professional Studies, in collaboration with Fifth Generation Sports, is offering a special course focused on the evolving digital sports landscape. Five Monday evening sessions are scheduled: October 17, 24, and 31; November 7 and 14. To register, call 212-998-7150 or visit www.sps.nyu.edu/digitalsports. …

Backman resigns as Vegas manager 

BY JOE RINI

A marathon season for the Mets that’s seen Yoenis Cespedes trotting on horseback in the winter, Bartolo Colon’s first home run trot in the spring, and no Matt Harvey since the Fourth of July, is set to be decided in the opening days of autumn as the resurgent Mets vie with the Giants and the Cardinals for the two National League wildcard spots.

The legacy of the 2016 season is being written in these final 2 ½ weeks of September. With the Mets sitting precariously ½ game ahead of the Cardinals and ½ game behind the Giants entering play on September 14, the range of possibilities for the Mets on October 5 includes hosting the wildcard game, traveling to St. Louis or San Francisco for the game, or the opening tee at Rockland Lake Executive Golf Course in Congers.

Whether the Mets are one of the wildcard teams in the playoffs will depend in large part on how much gas is left in a pitching tank that’s running close to empty. The staff is anchored by Noah Syndergaard, who went over the 200 strikeout mark during the Mets 4-3 ten-inning win on Tuesday, and the 43-year old Colon, who was supposed to be in the bullpen two months ago. Out of the bullpen, Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have been stellar in the closer and set-up roles but they’re also among the league leaders in games pitched.

With the continued absence and questionable return of Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz, rookie call-ups Seth Lugo and Rob Gsellman have been effective replacements in the rotation during the Mets’ rise in the standings. So far, Lugo is 4-1 in five starts and the Mets have won two of Gsellman’s three starts and the Mets will be counting heavily on these lightly experience pitchers.

Yet even with the success of Lugo and Gsellman, manager Terry Collins will have to scramble to fill out the rotation in the wake of Rafael Montero most recent failure, a six run thrashing in less than two innings during Monday’s 8-1 defeat to the Nationals. While Collins announced that Montero would not make his next scheduled start on Sunday, his replacement isn’t known yet.

The Mets have won 17 of 23 since August 20 to propel themselves back into contention, and they return to Citi Field on Friday to start a 10 game homestand against the Twins, Braves, and Phillies before finishing the season with six games in Philadelphia and Miami. While much has been made of the Mets “easy” schedule down the stretch in contrast to the Giants and Cardinals, their margin for error is slim as their under .500 rivals will seek to play spoiler.

Outside the confines of the white lines of the field, the Mets announced on September 12 that Wally Backman had resigned as manager of Triple-A Las Vegas and would be leaving the organization. The pages of the Backman press release were still warm from the copy machine as speculation mounted about whether the former member of the 1986 champion Mets was actually fired or forced out for being defiant.

Backman issued a statement stating that he was resigning because he “didn’t see a future at the Major League level with the Mets at this time.” As this “he said” – “front office said” saga continues, one thing is certain in this case: what happened in Vegas isn’t staying in Vegas this time.

Many teams still in contention for wild card spot

BY DYLAN BESTLER

Even though the weather is getting cooler, Major League Baseball players, coaches and fans are sweating more than ever now, playing and watching these final games of the regular season.  Some teams have already run away with the division title while other teams are still fighting to earn that wild card spot.

In the National League, the current division leaders are the Nationals in the east, Cubs in the central, and Dodgers in the west. With an eight game lead over the Mets, it is safe to say the Nationals will win the east. However, the National’s starting rotation will have to step in up in the postseason with Stephen Strasburg still injured. Strasburg was 15-4 with a 3.60 ERA. Some key guys to watch down the stretch are second basemen Daniel Murphy and outfielder Trea Turner. Although Murphy has been dealing with a left leg injury as of late, the 31-year old is third in the National League with 104 runs batted in and is second in batting average hitting .347. Turner has played only 62 games with the Nats this season and is hitting .345 with 34 RBIs.

The Chicago Cubs have been the story of the league since opening day. They have already clinched the NL central and are 41 games over .500. First basemen Anthony Rizzo and  third base/outfielder Kris Bryant are two of the favorites for the MVP voting.  Bryant is second in the National League with 37 homeruns and is also hitting .296 with 97 runs batted in. Rizzo is second in the NL with 104 RBIs and hitting .293. The Cubs have a very good chance this year of ending the curse of Murphy the Billy goat and their league-record 108-year drought without a World Series title.

The LA Dodgers currently lead the NL west; five game up on the San Francisco Giants. The Giants were leading for a majority of the season before their second half collapse. The Giants are 23-38 after the all-star break which is horrendous after a 57-33 start. However they are still in contention of making it to the playoffs and possibly even winning the division. The Dodgers and Giants still have four games against each other so anything can happen down the stretch.

As for the NL wild card, as of Wednesday afternoon there is a three way tie between the Giants, Mets and Cardinals. Only two of the three teams can make it. The Mets are dealing with a lot of injuries, especially in their much vaunted starting rotation. Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and now Jacob deGrom are all out. The Mets are hoping for Matz to return for the playoffs but as of now Noah Syndergaard and Bartolo Colon will have to pitch their best in order to make it into the playoffs.

Unheralded Mets rookie starters Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo have surprised the league with their excellent performances over the past month, allowing the Mets to go 20-9 since the return of Yoenis Cespedes to the middle of the batting order. Trade deadline acquisition Jay Bruce on the other hand has been a total bust, hitting only .176 in 40 games and posting an embarrassing OPS of only .544.

In the American League, the Cleveland Indians have run away with the central division, now seven games up on the Tigers. Corey Kluber has been in the talks of winning the AL Cy Young award, which is awarded to the best pitcher in the league. He has won 17 games for the Indians and has an ERA of 3.12, fourth in the AL. Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana have been providing the power for Cleveland, they have 34 and 33 homeruns, respectively.

The Texas Rangers made some key trades at the trade deadline to push their team to the top of the AL west. The team has acquired three big names in Carlos Beltran, Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez to help their team go 9.5 game ups on the second place Astros and own a 28-18 record since the deadline. Add these three guys to an already stacked lineup that features Adrian Beltre, Rougned Odor, Ian Desmond, Elvis Andrus, and some other big names, this team will be scary come October.

The Boston Red Sox are currently leading the AL east by four games over the Orioles. This was a much tighter race but the Red Sox swept the Yankees in a four-game series over the weekend and are 8-2 in their last ten games. David Ortiz and Mookie Betts are having MVP caliber seasons for Boston. Ortiz is third in the AL in RBIs and fourth in batting average (121 RBIs, .318) and Betts is fourth in RBIs and fifth in batting average (108 RBIs, .317).

There are many teams still in serious contention for the two AL wild card spots. The Orioles and the Blue Jays hold the top two spots but the Tigers (1.5 back), Astros (2 back), Mariners (3 back) and the Yankees (3.5) are right on their tail. The Orioles are playing the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Yankees before the season ends. The Blue Jays are finishing a series with the Mariners then have to face the Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox to finish the season. With these tough schedules for the top two wild card teams, anything could happen here in these final games

There is no better weather than fall weather and there is no better baseball the pennant race baseball. September is an exciting time if you’re a baseball fan and we are in for quite a ride during these next two weeks. Buckle up and stay tuned because your team may not be out of the playoff race just yet.

Mets in Hunt for Wildcard Berth

By Joe Rini

The Mets called the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s for help and perhaps they’ve drawn a Royal Flush.

While the return of injured veterans like Asdrubal Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes has keyed the Mets drive from two games under .500 in late August to the cusp of a wildcard berth in the playoffs heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the team has also been bolstered by contributions from late season call-ups from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Infielder T.J. Rivera lead the Pacific Coast League in batting this season and has continued his hot hitting in Flushing while pitchers Seth Lugo and Rob Gsellman have been solid replacements for the injured Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz. Prior to the Mets 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on September 16, I was able to chat with Rivera during batting practice about his early experiences as a major leaguer.

Rivera is a Bronx native who had a rooting section of friends on the field behind the batting cage who hugged and greeted the returning hero who had just recently hit a 10th inning home run to defeat the Nationals, after he took his batting practice swings. “It’s a great feeling to be playing in front of family and friends,” he said.

An unsigned free agent out of college, it was a long road of six seasons in the minor leagues before Rivera was called up by the Mets in August and he credited the support of his wife and family who supported him with “love and kindness” on his journey to the major leagues. A relatively “old” rookie at 27, Rivera said it was important to believe in himself that he would ultimately get the opportunity to play in the majors.

He also cited his veteran Mets teammates, in particular Curtis Granderson, for showing the rookies how to “go about their business” and also accepting the rookies and treating them like they belong in the major leagues. To succeed at this level, Rivera said it’s important for him to have the mentality of “play my game…don’t change and don’t try to do too much…and play good defense.”

That approach is working so far for T.J. Rivera as he is batting .348 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI through September 27. With the Mets in a pennant race, Rivera said it’s exciting and fun and he wanted to do anything help the team. For example, when not in the starting lineup, Rivera said he’ll watch video and work in the indoor batting cage during the game and try to anticipate who he could be facing as a pinch hitter though it should be noted that as September has continued, Rivera and his hot bat have spent more time in the starting lineup than coming off the bench.

My conversation with Rivera took place a few days after Wally Backman resigned as the manager of the Las Vegas team and when I asked about what it was like to play for Backman, Rivera said, “Wally was a great players manager…he wanted the best for you…and he had your back.”

Entering play on Wednesday, the Mets hold a ½ game lead over the San Francisco Giants and 1 ½ game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for the two National League wildcard berths. While their lead is slim, the Mets do control their own destiny at the moment and hope that their closing weekend series in Philadelphia against the Phillies will be a prelude to wildcard series game and another extended playoff run.

Photo by Janet Guerra

The Red Raiders’ once-dominant football program has been beleaguered in recent years and was again look downtrodden after being defeated handily in its first two games of 2016 by New Rochelle and Clarkstown South.

Dutchmen’s no-name defense will face a stiff challenge when it goes against the high-octane Indians

BY MARC MATURO 

The vaunted no-name defense that has anchored the Tappan Zee High School football team will have its hand full Saturday night when it travels across the river to challenge high-scoring John Jay.

The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

The Dutchmen, coming off a convincing 20-0 victory over Port Washington, have won four of five contests, holding their opponents to less than six points a game on average.

The host Indians, who have a seemingly so-so 3-2 mark, are coming off a 41-0 thrashing of Pearl River, which fell to Tappan Zee in the Orange Bowl, 25-7.

John Jay – featuring a no-huddle go-get-’em offense – is averaging 29 points a game. It remains to be seen if Tappan Zee, whose only loss was at Walter Panas (14-10), can do anything to slow down the Indians.

The Indians, led by veteran coach Jimmy Clark, have many weapons offensively, including returnee Jackson Rieger, a wide receiver whose older brother now plays lacrosse at the University of Richmond. John Jay, in fact, has many players on the roster who also play lacrosse, which perhaps accounts for the team’s offensive prowess.

Thor Adamec, another returnee, is a dual threat as a rusher and receiver while Benji Gecha is a 265-pound two-way tackle.

Tappan Zee, which is averaging 21 points, is led by running back Nick Violetto and Tommy McGivney, a touchdown threat as a receiver.

GRIDIRON RECAPS

Scarsdale 31, North Rockland 7: The once-beaten host Raiders ran over the once-formidable 2-3 Red Raiders behind Nick Leone’s 200-plus rushing yards. Cameron Lewis had 46 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries for North Rockland, with sophomore Jeffrey Abrams going 8 of 15 for 96 yards. North Rockland’s faithful will again be put to the test when Clarkstown North comes to call on October 8 at 1:30 p.m.

New Rochelle 39, Clarkstown South 18: The powerhouse Huguenots came to West Nyack and made it five for five on the season with relative ease against the previously unbeaten Vikings.  Samuel Mistretta scored on a 45-yard interception return, while quarterback Matt Jung had a 36-yard TD toss to Kyle Samuels and Michael Tagaris booted a 40-yard field goal.

Arlington 38, Spring Valley 14: The Admirals stopped the Tigers’ running game in raising their record to 5-0 and another game closer to earning the top seed in the Class AA playoffs. Isaish Dean and Michael Maynes scored for Spring Valley. Coach Andrew Delva’s squad, which suffered its first loss in five contests, expects to rebound at home on October 8 against Ketcham at 1:30 p.m.

Clarkstown North 33, Suffern 7: The Rams had too much firepower for the Mounties, especially in the form of Eric Maurer, who rushed for 190 yards and three TDs, and also caught a TD pass from Jake Katz. North looks for its fifth victory of the season at North Rockland on October 8 at 1:30 p.m. The Mounties will be looking for their second win when they visit Mamaroneck on October 7 at 7 p.m.

Somers 48, Nyack 13: Coach Tony DeMatteo has the Tuskers off to a 5-1 start following a rout at MacCalman Field. The Indians, struggling at 1-4 against a daunting schedule, face yet another tough opponent on October 7 when they visit unblemished (5-0) Yorktown for a 7 p.m. contest.

Westlake 35, Nanuet 8: The mighty, unbeaten Wildcats, led by veteran one-time Nyack coach John Castellano, spotted the visiting Golden Knights an early lead before rolling to their fifth victory in a rematch of last year’s Section 1 Class B championship. Jake Stein led Nanuet with 56 rushing yards and Connor Breit, who had to leave the game with a leg injury, scored on a 2-yard plunge. Quarterback Thomas Fay also was lost for much of the game due to a concussion protocol. The Golden Knights (3-2)   travel to Putnam Valley on October 7 for a 7 p.m. contest.

Albertus Magnus 35, Croton-Harmon 0: Following a lopsided victory on the road, the Falcons (3-2) meet Hastings (4-2) on October 7 at 7:30 p.m.

John Jay 41, Pearl River 0: The Pirates (2-3) were overwhelmed at home, and the schedule gets even more oppressive on October 7 when Coach Mike Oliva and Co. meet powerhouse Somers at 7 p.m. in Lincolndale.

White Plains 44, Ramapo 22: The visiting Gryphons were unable to stop Glenmour Osbourne, who had 205 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries. Ramapo (1-4) hosts Mount Vernon on October 7 at 7 p.m.

COLLEGIATE CLIPS: Clarkstown South HS alum Shane Cronin of West Nyack made a 34-yard tiebreaking field goal with 26 seconds remaining as Cortland rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to defeat Hartwick, 50-47, in an Empire 8 game in Oneonta. Donny Davis of New City carried the ball 15 times for 107 yards and two TDs as the Red Dragons improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference. Cortland hosts Buffalo State on October 8, at 1 p.m. … Former North Rockland High School trackman Liam Joyce of Stony Point is running his first season on the cross country team at SUNY Potsdam. The Bears are pointing toward the Hamilton Short Course Meet on October 22 at Clinton, starting at 11 a.m. … Led by Darren Guzman of Teaneck, N.J., the Dominican College men’s cross country team placed seventh at the Queensborough CC Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.. Guzman clocked 29:11.9 over the 8.05k race, followed by freshman Andrew Souza of New London, Conn., and Rollens Florvil of Spring Valley. The Chargers travel to Caldwell, N.J., on October 15 to compete at the Cougar Chase at 3 p.m. … The Dominican College men’s soccer team hosts Goldey Beacom College on October 8 at 2:30 p.m. Steven Hegner of Pomona is a senior goaltender while Tom Kcira of New City is a junior defensemen for the Chargers. … Sophomore forward Chris Estevez of Garnerville has five goals on the men’s soccer team at St. Thomas Aquinas College, while Nicholas Fiore of New City is a defensive back for the Spartans. STAC meets Molloy College on October 8 at 2 p.m. at its home turn field off Route 340 in Sparkill.

THIS & THAT: Former Yankees public relations honcho Marty Appel heads a list of inductees into the Spring Valley High School Sports Hall of Fame, which will take place Saturday night, October 8 at the Crown Plaza in Suffern beginning at 6 p.m. Also being inducted:  Howie Allen, Dwight Berry, John Boykin Sr., Joe Carbone,  Lisa Kane Contremi, Perry Genovese, Kathleen Haubner, Jeff Levy, Russell Roefs, Quana Phillips Torres, former NFL player Charlie White, and posthumously Robert Goff and Geoffrey Miller. For additional info, contact Soreida Ashcroft at vicaro-ashcroft@live.com. … The 8^th annual Tappan Zee High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner will be held on Sunday night, November 27 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Blauvelt beginning at 5 p.m. The new inductees: Dick Loughlin, Class of 1957; Charles Hogan, 1959; Ranieri Rotelli, 1963; Paul Gibaldi, 1979;  Carol Duke-Habel, 1981; Patrick Linehan, 1990; Coach Hugh Short; 1958-59 boys championship basketball team. For additional info, call 845-680-1640. … Bob Wirz has spent a lifetime in Major League Baseball, including a stint as public relations direction with the Yankees. “The Passion of Baseball,” his latest book (Ravenwood Publishing), tells the headline-making, celebrity-filled story of living out the dream of a tiny town lad who grew up in the  sand hills of Nebraska and went on to head up MLB’s media fishbowl for more than a decade in New York City.  “The Passion of Baseball” ($20.95) may be ordered via Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo or WirzandAssociates.com.  eBooks also are available from B&N and Amazon. … The Rockland County Softball Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony will be held October 7 at 7 p.m. at Pasta Cucina restaurant in Suffern. Tickets at the door are $35, which includes dinner. The inductees: Steve Wishner, James Parker, Lynn Pinkson, Chuck Todd and Bruce Gebhardt, players; Ed Micklos, manager; Company B, team. For additional info contact Andre Chiavelli at andrechiavelli@yahoo.com

A Time to Heal, A Time to Decide

BY JOE RINI

Thanks to the Mets, when the Giants play the Cardinals next year, Conor Gillaspie and Yadier Molina can exchange knowing smiles at home plate.

Ten years after the Cardinals catcher ended the Mets World Series dreams in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS and three hours after Noah Syndergaard fired his first 100 mph fastball of the night before a raucous crowd of 44,747 at Citi Field on October 5, a vulnerable Jeurys Familia left a pitch over the plate for Gillaspie that he launched for a three run homer, thus breaking a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth inning, sending the Giants to the NLDS, and ending the Mets season.

The loss in the National League Wildcard game served as a sudden and sad end to the Mets late season surge that saw the Amazins win 27 of 39 games as they leaped over four teams to host the wildcard game. Amidst thoughts of another deep postseason run by the Mets, Giants ace Madison Bumgarner had other ideas.

Coming into this game with a reputation as baseball best postseason pitcher, Bumgarner left with his reputation intact by pitching a complete game four hit shutout.

Bumgarner’s shutout negated a stellar outing by Syndergaard, who didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning and struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings. Syndergaard’s scoreless tally was aided by a sixth inning-ending-wall-crashing catch that drew comparisons to Endy Chavez’s run saving catch in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. Unfortunately, like the Chavez catch, it will be remembered less for its impact and more for delaying the ultimate disappointment.

Familia left the field under a cascade of boos as his team record 51 saves in 2016 paled in contrast to another failure in the postseason. One year after the Royals won the decisive Game 5 of the World Series after tying it in the ninth inning with Familia on the mound, most fans seemed to only remember that Familia served up the fateful pitch not that Lucas Duda threw away the third out of the game and a Mets win with an errant throw home.

With the season ending with the finality of a period at the end of a sentence, the off-season begins with the inevitable question marks for 2017. Has Yoenis Cespedes played his last game as a Met? Cespedes is expected to opt-out of his contract in search of a long-term deal but will the Mets be more willing than last winter to dig deeper into their pockets to keep the mercurial yet impactful 31-year old slugger? If not, how do they replace him?

Will Messrs Harvey, deGrom, Matz, and Wheeler return from their various injuries and surgeries and reclaim their title as the best young pitching staff in baseball? If not, can Seth Lugo and Rob Gsellman pitch for a whole season like they did in late 2016?

Will this postseason cause a negative carryover effect for Familia in 2017? Perhaps, as Terry Collins acknowledged after the game, “I think that’s something we certainly need to be careful of.”

Is it time for the Mets to say good-bye to David Wright? Neck surgery ended the former All-Star’s season in May and for the second year in a row, Wright was limited to fewer than 40 games at third base. Wright’s hefty contract runs through 2020 and presumably the Mets would recover part of his salary through insurance if he retires due to injury. But how do the Mets bring up retirement to this face of the franchise?

Suffice to say, Sandy Alderson has a lot to decide. As for me, it was a privilege and honor, as always, to cover the Mets this season for the Rockland County Times. Thank you for reading, have a blessed winter, and hope to see you in 2017.

Follow me at faninthebox.com

The N. Rockland Red Raiders football team salvaged their season, emerging victorious with a 35-34 overtime victory over Clarkstown North (New City) at North Rockland High School Saturday, October 8.  The win gave the Raiders a .500 regular season and qualified them for eighth seed in the Section 1 playoffs, good enough to host one more home game.

It will be deja vu all over again as the Raiders host ninth-seeded Clarkstown North at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, October 15. Raiders earned a home playoff game despite having a lesser record than North (4-2) because power rankings weigh quality victories and head-to-head match-up victoriess when seeding teams.

In all 16 out of 20 teams qualify for the sectional playoffs.

Section 1 Class AA playoff seeds

(Seed 1 plays Seed 16, Seed 8 plays Seed 9, etc. and the teams are reseeded after the first round)

1. Arlington: 6-0

2. New Rochelle: 6-0

3. Clarkstown South: 5-1

4. John Jay-East Fishkill: 5-1

5. Scarsdale: 4-2

6. Spring Valley: 5-1

7. Carmel: 4-2

8. North Rockland: 3-3

9. Clarkstown North: 4-2

10. Mamaroneck: 3-3

11. Fox Lane: 3-3

12. Ketcham: 1-5

13. Port Chester: 3-3

14. Mahopac: 2-4

15. White Plains: 2-4

16. Mount Vernon: 1-5

Did not qualify:

Suffern: 1-5, Ramapo: 1-5, Greeley: 1-5, Ossining: 0-6