Connetquot tops Bay Shore, 11-3

Ryan Jordan is best known for his defense. His skill set behind home plate is second to none.

"There is no question that he sets the tone for our pitching staff," Connetquot coach Bob Ambrosini said. "He's one of the very best we've had. He has a very good relationship with our assistant coach and keeps everyone on the defense involved and controls the tempo of the game."

Jordan did more than play defense Monday in the Suffolk League II opener at Bay Shore. He set the tone for the league season. The senior had three hits and started a five-run fourth inning as Connetquot erased a 2-0 deficit and came back for an 11-3 win.

"Jordan is a leader and a great teammate and he really got us started," said All-County centerfielder Kenny Jackson, who added two hits and two RBIs. "It was a total team effort against one of the better pitchers in our league."

Bay Shore lefthander Chris Cruz, who has committed to Cornell, cruised into the fourth inning with a 2-0 lead. With one out, Nick Raimondi reached on a fielder's choice before Jordan and Joe Montana hit consecutive singles.

"We made some mistakes and it was costly," Bay Shore coach Dennis McManaway said. "It set up the big inning for them."

Cruz hit Jimmy Guiliano with a pitch to force in a run and walked James McKenna to force in the tying run. "I lost my location and we just unraveled," Cruz said.

SEE PHOTOSConnetquot 11, Bay Shore 3

Leftfielder Joey Russo lined a go-ahead, two-run single up the middle, and Jackson lined a single to right to make it 5-2.

"His fastball was tailing inside and I had to clear my hips and go to right," Jackson said. "He has excellent movement but we had some great swings on him."

Russo keyed a three-run fifth with a run-scoring double and a four-run seventh with a double to the left-centerfield gap. He had three hits and five RBIs.

"This game was about the bottom of our order doing a good job of flipping the lineup and getting back to the top," Russo said. "And then we have to drive in those runs."

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Guiliano scattered six hits, walked two, struck out five and allowed three earned runs for the complete game. He also had two hits and two RBIs in the leadoff spot.