Indians Win It All in Five

Skip Pearlman Patterson players mob Chris Palmiero (back left) after his game-clinching three-run homer. The team’s biggest weapon – Chris Palmiero – crushed a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to push Patterson over the 10-run threshold, giving the top-seeded Pirates a 13-2 victory over No. 8 New Castle in the WPBA 10-year-old championship game Saturday at the Crane Road field in Mahopac.

Palmiero finished with four RBI in the rout. He also doubled and went 3-for-4. Winning pitcher Evan Sinitsky allowed just two runs on four hits, and fanned two. Sinitsky also went 3-for-3 with two RBI.

Anthony Melchione added a pair of RBI and smacked two doubles, Brian Harlin had two RBI, and Parker Wilson, Steve McCallister, and Chris Epp each drove in a run.

Skip Pearlman Patterson shortstop Ryan Harlin attempts to tag Matt Reisch, who slides safely into second. Patterson put the wraps on a strong summer season that saw the team go 20-1. New Castle closed the summer at 12-10.

“It was exciting for the kids, the coaches and the fans,” Patterson manager Dan Wilson said. “And to have our leader finish the game with a home run… that was a great finish to the season. We played really well throughout the playoffs. We got great defense through the week, and pitching has been the story for most of the season.”

Pitching was key in Patterson’s semifinal win, a 3-1 victory over No. 3 seed Sleepy Hollow last Thursday at North Salem.

Melchione picked up the win on the hill for the Pirates, and Harlin got the save. The duo combined to allow just four hits.

Epp and Mike McCormack each had one RBI, and Palmiero stole home in the win.

Skip Pearlman Chris Palmiero watches his three-run homer clear the fence Saturday. “Our defense came up big in that game,” Wilson said. “Kyle Shilling made some great plays at second, and Wilson, Shilling, Palmiero, and Ryan Frey combined on an outstanding double play. And Harlin did a nice job in relief.”

Patterson beat Mt. Kisco, 4-1, in Tuesday’s opening round, with Frey earning the win. Harlin again got the save.

Palmiero, Melchione, and Frey each doubled and had one RBI, and McCormack doubled and scored a run.

“We got great pitching, defense and timely hitting,” Wilson said of the playoff run. “We expected a lot from the kids… they’ve worked hard all season. We have a lot of talented kids, and a lot of pitching. Palmiero was our MVP, Frey was big on the mound and in the field, Melchione pitched a solid game against Sleepy – which was key – and our whole group has been great. Everyone has contributed.”
Skip Pearlman Pirates pitcher Evan Sinitsky delivers during Saturday’s championship.
Skip Pearlman Steve McAlister of Patterson had one RBI in Saturday’s win.