Matt Hannon's strong start gives Massapequa win over Farmingdale
Massapequa starting pitcher Matt Hannon delivers a pitch against Farmingdale in game one of the Nassau high school Class AA baseball finals, Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Farmingdale State College. Credit: George A Faella
Matt Hannon hadn’t pitched in a month. The senior righthander for Massapequa was nursing an injury and wanted to be healthy for the Nassau Class AA baseball tournament so for precautionary reasons he was held out for a long period of time.
But with the biggest game of this season before them, Hannon was tabbed by head coach Tom Sheedy to throw in the championship.
Hannon gave Massapequa the boost they needed, going five strong innings in a 2-1 win over Farmingdale in the Nassau Class AA championship best of three series at Farmingdale State College.
The teams will meet in game two Monday at 11 a.m. at Farmingdale State College.
Hannon allowed three hits, two walks and one run with three strikeouts for his seventh win of the season against no losses. He was relieved in the top of the sixth inning after the leadoff batter Michael Craig, reached on an infield error.
“You never want to come out of a game, but it was the right time,” Hannon said. “I was able to battle through some discomfort and stay ahead of the hitters with my breaking ball. I’m usually more of a strikeout pitcher but today the goal was to force weak contact and let the defense play.”
Righty Damian DiGiuseppe came on in relief and threw two scoreless innings. He allowed one baserunner and struck out the final batter with a knee buckling 1-2 curveball to pick up the save.
“Damian didn’t even play on the team last season and he was ready to go in such a big moment for us,” Hannon said. “He came into the game and got the job done. We all have confidence in him.”
Farmingdale forged a 1-0 first inning lead when leadoff man Joe Burriesci walked, stole second and moved to third on a groundout. Burriesci came in to score on Joe Tagliavia’s RBI groundout.
Massapequa took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Annunziato led off with a walk and Mike Villardi followed with a single to put runners on first and second with none out. Sophomore catcher Paul Dulanto drilled a 2-2 fastball into the left centerfield gap for a two-run double for the 2-1 lead.
“The pitch was low and down the middle and I put the barrel on it,” said Dulanto, who also singled in the third inning. “We needed a big hit to set the tone and it was definitely my biggest hit of the year.”
Massapequa managed only four hits and four walks off Dalers starter Nick Napolitano. He struck out four and retired 10 of the last 11 hitters.
“He’s a very good pitcher with a great changeup and velocity,” Dulanto said. “This is a big win for us.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
