Nick Gerardi, Ben Ellenport shine for Plainedge in win over Mineola
The Plainedge baseball team meets home run hitter Nick Gerardi during a Nassau high school baseball game on Thursday, March 31, 2022 in North Massapequa. Credit: Dawn McCormick
The 2021 season ended for Plainedge with a loss in the third and deciding game of the Nassau IV finals at Bethpage. Just three starters were back from that terrific team as opening day got underway Thursday on the Red Devils’ cloud-covered, wind-whipped baseball field.
It was an opportunity for some new contributors to start to emerge. Like Ben Ellenport, a senior righthander, making his first varsity start after having no innings and only one at-bat to show for last season. And there was Nick Gerardi, a sophomore first baseman, making his varsity debut after spending his freshman season on the JV.
Both had opening days to remember.
Ellenport fired six scoreless innings and Gerardi slugged a solo homer in his first at-bat. They stood out in this 3-0 conference win over Mineola.
“You never know what to expect going into a season, especially when you have a lot of guys that are playing their first varsity game,” Plainedge coach Colin Fratrik said. “I was really proud of the way we went out and competed.
“Ben, I’m very proud of . . . To go out and throw six shutout innings was very impressive.”
Ellenport allowed just three hits and fanned three but did walk five.
“It was opening day, good nerves,” Ellenport said. “ . . . It’s just great to be out here, just battling for the boys.”
He battled at his best in the toughest spots.
Take the fifth — two in scoring position, two outs, 2-0 Red Devils.
After a visit from Fratrik, Ellenport got Jack Ryan to bounce to third, then screamed with delight and pounded his glove.
“Just happy,” Ellenport said. “It was just surreal, getting that out.”
The first run scored on a fielder’s choice in the first. Then Gerardi pulled a tremendous shot to right-center for the homer in the third.
“It was a great moment, first at-bat,” Gerardi said. “It means a lot.”
Ryan allowed two runs, four hits and two walks in a strong 4 2⁄3 innings. The junior righty struck out eight. Dominick Pannitti put the Mustangs in the 3-0 hole with a sixth-inning single.
“I need to learn what they can and can’t do, and they need to learn how to play the game the right way,” Mineola coach Helms Bohringer said. “So my outlook is I expect to be better come May than I am right now in March.”
