High school central

After Clarke dropped the first game of the best-of-three quarterfinal in Nassau ‘A’ to league foe and No. 14 Valley Stream North the Rams needed to make a statement.

Despite being seeded 11 spots higher, Clarke had its back up against the wall in the quarterfinals again. In 2012 No. 16 Plainedge upset the Rams en route to an unlikely state semifinal run.

“They were only a 14 seed because...

Entering the playoffs as the No. 13 seed and needing to win two elimination games just to make it into the Class A quarterfinals was not anything out of the ordinary for Plainedge.

That’s because the Red Devils entered the playoffs as the No. 16 seed in 2012 and went all the way to the state semifinals.

“We know that once you make the playoffs any team can win,” head coach Colin Fratrik...

Syosset starting pitcher Jake Laine has had a heck of a week.

The Braves senior ace was dominant on Monday in No. 7 Syosset’s 1-0 win over No. 10 Farmingdale in the first round of the playoffs. Laine went the distance and allowed only two hits, striking out seven and walking none. But most importantly he was efficient – his masterpiece was completed in under 60 pitches.

Fast-forward...

Bayport-Blue Point (22-0) entered Friday's Class A winners bracket semifinal against No. 4 Miller Place having allowed only seven runs in its last eight games.

This time, it was their bats and some timely relief pitching that did the work in a 12-7 win.

Mike Alliegro capped a four-run fourth inning with an RBI single for BBP that put them in front 9-2, a seemingly insurmountable deficit...

Four teams in Class AA and A will have the opportunity to advance in the winners’ bracket of their respective classes. On the flip side, seasons will be on the line as six elimination games will be played across both classifications. Class B and C also begin their tournaments.

Class AA

Four teams have advanced undefeated through the first two rounds of Suffolk’s double elimination tournament...

Action continues Friday in the Nassau baseball playoffs. Let’s reset and take a look at what’s occurred this week.

Class AA

Three of the four semifinalists are set. We await the winner of Game 3 between No. 2 Hicksville and No 7 Syosset to determine the seeding. That series will conclude on Friday.

If Hicksville wins, they will host Carey and No. 1 seed MacArthur will face off...

Island Trees finished the regular season on a six-game winning streak and were looking strong as they once again headed into the postseason.

But they faced an uphill battle as the No. 15 seed with a single-elimination game against Floral Park Monday before having to play with its back up against the wall Tuesday as well.

Consider the hill climbed, as Island Trees won both single-elimination...

As the Suffolk playoffs begin today we take a look back at the best performances from the final week of the regular season. With playoff berths and League titles on the line it was this group of players who came up with big games.

Chris Cepeda, Ward Melville

Cepeda helped lead Ward Melville to a three-game sweep that clinched the League I title for the Patriots. Cepeda picked up a complete-game...

The playoffs have just kicked off in Nassau, and we’ve already seen some great performances in those opening games. Here are a few of the players who stood out in opening round games and a few who finished the regular season with strong efforts.

Austin Bilello, Lynbrook

Bilello allowed one run and struck out 10 in a complete-game win over Valley Stream South on May 6 and paced the offense...

Conference titles and playoff spots are still up for grabs in Suffolk. Here are some of the best performances in the County in the second to last series of the season. The list is full of the usual suspects and a few players who have flown under the radar this season.

Casey Baker, Connetquot

Baker hit two home runs in a 6-4 League II win over Lindenhurst on April 30 and pitched a complete...