By Mitch Silver

Despite opening the 2023 season minus two All-Section players — Derek Woods and Jack Margiloff who graduated from last year’s 20-win Sectional semifinalists —, Rye whitewashed Roosevelt 10-0 in five innings March 27. A.J. Miller and Cameron Holler combined on a no-hitter, with Miller getting the start and the victory on a four-inning, 10-strikeout effort. He also hit a double and a triple, driving in four runs. Second baseman Tommy Broderick drove in three.

Forty-eight hours later it was a totally different story. Senior Tyler Winderman toed the rubber for the Garnets. He struck out the first batter he faced, but an error put a Nanuet runner on, who soon moved to second on a wild pitch. Winderman walked the Knights’ number three hitter, but a double play started by third baseman Jake Kessner got him out of the inning.

In the home first, senior catcher Julian Pasquale drew a two-out walk and moved to third when Winderman hit a long single, taking second on the throw to third that was too late to get Pasquale. Junior Charlie Margiloff drove a line shot to center that was dropped, allowing both Garnets to score.

The second inning saw Winderman give the lead right back by surrendering four singles sandwiched around a force play at second. With the bases loaded and one out, another force at second scored Nanuet’s tying run. After Head Coach Mike Bruno visited the mound, Winderman struck out the batter, snuffing out the rally. He would buckle down over the next two innings, keeping the Golden Knights off the board.

Meanwhile, the Garnets took the lead in the home second when junior Shep Griffiths cracked a double to center and classmate Broderick drove him home with another two-bagger, this one bouncing neatly over the third-base bag for a 3-2 lead. Kessner would make the third out on a long fly to center.

Both teams would have their hitting shoes on for the rest of the game. Senior Tyler Canna would drive in three on 2-for-4 hitting and Winderman would go 2-for-3, driving in a pair.

The crucial inning was the seventh and final one. Rye led 11-9, but Nanuet loaded the bases with nobody out. Margiloff came on to get two strikeouts without giving up a score, earning his first save of the season.

Afterwards, Coach Bruno said, “These first two games show we have a lot to work on. Class A is very tough, with many quality teams. Our plan is to improve daily and be playing our best baseball come playoff time.”

On March 31, the Garnets hosted and shut out Yorktown 1-0. The following day they left for spring training in Florida.