MHS Tigers: Run of 20 Consecutive Victories Ends at Regional Final

by Dave McGuckin

(June 5, 2003) At Rye Neck High School Thursday afternoon, the Tigers run of 20 consecutive victories came to an end in the Regional Final of the NYSPHSAA 2003 baseball tournament. Section IV winner Union-Endicott will now head to Binghamton, NY after their 5-2 win over Mamaroneck. Despite a four hour bus ride, the visitor wasted no time jumping on the host.

With two outs in the top of the 1st inning, Endicott scored two runs off of a two out double that fell just beyond the reach of right fielder Peter O'Byrne. The visitor added 3 more runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings to build its lead to 5-0 before Mamaroneck finally got itself on the board. With one out in the third Gary Galvao doubled home Chris Vasami and later scored on a fielding error, making the score 5-2 after three.

"We didn't take advantage of our shots late in the game," said coach Chiapparelli. "We hit a lot of balls hard today ... it was just one of those games." The Tigers had their chances late in the game. With bases loaded in the 5th, Mamaroneck was unable to score as Endicott struck out the remaining two batters.

After the final out, the team and its loyal following of fans applauded one another for several minutes in a show of mutual admiration for their accomplishments and unwavering support respectively. "It was a heck of a run," said senior Chris Vasami. "It was everything we dreamed of and more."

Despite the loss, Mamaroneck has much to be proud about this season. The team won its first sectional title in that sport in 39 years, they put together a 20 game win streak, they went undefeated in their league and they did all of this without a home field.

Dave McGuckin is the Supervisor of Physical Education, Health & athletics for the Mamaroneck School District