Sports

Monroe Tournament roundup: Curtis shocks Xaverian behind Piccirillo’s arm, bat

Immediately after Curtis was run-ruled by Grand Street Campus in its Monroe Tournament opener, the Warriors had the unenviable task of meeting defending CHSAA Class AA city champion Xaverian.

On the way to another loss against a citywide powerhouse, however, something out of the ordinary happened: Curtis picked itself off the mat and blanked Xaverian, 2-0, at Grand Street to remain in contention for the elimination round.

Michael Piccirillo was the star, tossing seven shutout frames and delivering both runs with a first-inning single which plated Daniel Newman and Daniel Murray. Piccirillo, Curtis’ starting catcher, kept the potent Clippers off balance by relying mostly on his knuckleball and curveball.

“It was pretty surprised, I’m not going to lie,” Curtis coach Anthony Formica said. “He did tell me he was going to throw a shutout before the game. I said, ‘Sounds great.’”

Piccirillo was in complete command. Xaverian didn’t get a runner past second and managed just three hits. He was aided by his defense as the senior only struck out one. If Curtis, which went 1-1 on the day, can get by Long Island City Monday at 11:15 a.m., it has a great chance to reach the 10-team elimination round as Xaverian and Grand Street face off.

“We’re in the driver’s seat now,” Formica said. “This gives us a lot of confidence. It shows they know how to win, we’re able to bounce back and it’s a sign of toughness. They’ve very resilient.”

Anthony Amatuzzi pitched 5-1/3 innings for Xaverian, giving up just those two runs in the first. Brian Rosa came in for the final 2/3. Clippers coach Lou Piccola was impressed with Piccirillo and shortstop Chris Moran.

“They made every play,” said Piccola, whose team is 1-1 after the first day of the tournament and will face Grand Street Campus in its final pool play contest Monday at 9 a.m. at Grand Street.

Xaverian 10, Long Island City 1: Tommy Anselmo gave up just a run and a hit over four innings while striking out eight for Xaverian. Julian Lanfranco had two hits and three runs scored.

Grand Street 14, Curtis 2: Kevin Martir had four hits, two triples and seven RBIs and Geraldo Gonzalez fanned nine and allowed just one hit in a complete-game performance for Grand Street, which went 2-0 on the day and takes on Xaverian in its last pool play game Monday at 9 a.m. at Grand Street.

POOL A

James Monroe 12, Lab Museum 5: Eddie Gonzalez allowed three unearned runs over six innings, gave up four hits and struck out six, Ricky Parra had two hits and scored twice and Luis Santini added three hits, scored two runs and drove in another for Monroe, which went 2-0 on the day and will face John Adams in its final pool play contest on Monday at 8:30 a.m. at Monroe. LMU went 0-2 and meets Christ the King Monday at 10:45 a.m. at Monroe in its pool play finale.

James Monroe 6, Christ the King 3: Steven Garcia struck out seven allowed one run on three hits in six solid innings of work, Justin Morales had a three-run triple and Randy Perez drove in two runs and scored twice for Monroe. Christ the King went 0-2 on the day and faces Lab Museum Monday at 10:45 a.m. in its final pool play contest at Monroe.

POOL B

Iona Prep 9, Truman 2: UConn-bound flamethrower Matt D’Ariano gave up just an earned run on two hits with six strikeouts in three innings pitched and Matt Brembs and Billy Martin each had two hits and two RBIs for Iona, which is 2-0 after the first day and takes on Lehman in its final pool play game Monday at 9 a.m. at Lehman. Pat Decea went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Iona Prep 14, Mott Haven 3: Daniel Fischer and Jack McDermott each went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Nic Figary struck out four in two relief innings for Iona. Daniel Fischer and Jack McDermott each went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Matt Mottola started and gave up three runs with four strikeouts in three innings and Vinny Martin blanked Mott Haven over the final two innings in relief. The Gaels actually trailed 3-2 early. Mott Haven (1-1) faces Truman Monday at 11:15 a.m. at Lehman with the chance to move on to the elimination round.

Lehman 17, Truman 3: Chris Lopez had three RBIs and Jose Nunez scored three runs and added an RBI for Lehman. The Lions went 1-1 and meet Iona Prep in both teams’ final pool play contest Monday at 9 a.m. at Lehman. Truman (0-2) takes on Mott Haven at 11:15 a.m. Monday at Lehman.

POOL D

Manhattan Center 10, DeWitt Clinton 3: Alex Sanchez was 3-for-4 with a double and a triple and Dabian Canales gave up just two earned runs with six strikeouts in six innings pitched. With a later loss to Tottenville, the Rams are 1-1 after the first day of pool play and take on Salesian Monday at 11:15 a.m. at Clinton. Clinton is 0-2 and meets Tottenville Monday at 9 a.m. at Clinton.

Salesian 5, DeWitt Clinton 4: Kerry McAllister had an RBI, three hits, including a triple, and scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh for Salesian, which is 1-1 after the first day of pool play and takes on Manhattan Center Monday at Clinton at 11:15 a.m. Wesley Albert gave up four runs on seven hits and struck out five in seven innings to pick up the victory.

POOL E

Morris 6, William Bryant 3: Luis Sterling and Bryan Moran each had two hits, scored a run and drove in another, Deon Sanders drove in a run and Smailyn Lopez threw a one-hitter, walked three and struck out five for Morris, which went 2-0 and meets Law, Government & Justice Monday at Taft in its pool play finale at 8:30 a.m.

William Bryant 5, Law, Government & Justice 4: Adonis Lao drove in Chris Alvarez with the game-winning run and Rady DeJesus and John Diakogeorgios each added an RBI for Bryant, which went 1-1 on the day and meets Norman Thomas Monday at 10:45 a.m. at Taft with the winner likely to advance.

Morris 11, Norman Thomas 5: Ruben Pinero allowed six hits over four innings and Luis Sterling had two hits and three RBIs and Deon Sanders added three hits and two RBIs for Morris.

Norman Thomas 11, Law, Government & Justice 0: Luis German struck out six in six shutout innings, Paul Garcia had two hits and two RBIs, Kenneth Guichardo also drove in two runs and Michael German had three RBIs for Norman Thomas, which 1-1 on the day and will meet Bryant Monday at 10:45 a.m. at Taft in its last pool play game. Law, Government & Justice went 0-2 and faces Morris Monday at Taft at 8:30 a.m.

OTHER SCORES

John Adams 11, Labs Museum 1

John Adams 1, Christ the King 0

Grand Street Campus 7, Long Island City 0

Tottenville 12, Salesian 2:

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