Brandon Haney shuts down potent Islip

Kings Park coach Mike Prisco didn't want the debate of whether it was a hit or an error to take away from the headline performance by lefthander Brandon Haney Thursday afternoon in a 1-0 win over host Islip. 

The scorekeeping situation occurred in the bottom of the second on Stephen Provenzano's seemingly routine pop-up toward first base. When the wind carried the ball toward second, Kings Park second baseman Shane O'Leary tried to chase it down but didn't touch it, and it landed on the outfield grass.

Islip scored it a hit and Kings Park an error. Regardless, Haney was the story. He walked two and struck out four and never wilted when the pressure increased. He retired the side in order in the first. After the play in the second, he induced a 6-4-3 double play. He retired the side in the order in the third and worked around a walk in the fourth. The fifth started with an error, but he ignited a 1-6-3 double play on a sacrifice bunt attempt.

Haney got the side in order in the sixth and after a one-out walk and stolen base in the seventh, he got two strikeouts to end the game.

"This isn't about whether it was a hit or error," Prisco said. "Haney was the story. He pitched a great game."

The lone run came on the first pitch of the game by Islip righthander Edvardas Matusevicius. Chris Kalousdian hit a home run over the right-centerfield fence.

Haney's performance was impressive considering it came against an Islip team that entered the game undefeated. Islip scored 17 runs in two wins against Kings Park to open the three-game series. Islip, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class A, had scored less than four runs just once this season.

The bottom line is Kings Park clinched a playoff spot with the win and Haney put forth a memorable performance.

www.newsday.com/sports/high-school/baseball/no-hitter-for-kings-park-s-haney-yes-and-no-1.1899502