Jake Ostertag's shutout gives Babylon Suffolk B baseball crown - Newsday
Jake Ostertag fired his 104th pitch of the game through the falling raindrops and waited patiently on the mound for a high chopper to come down to his glove. He took his time and made a soft throw to the chest of first baseman Tobin Gold.
The sophomore then threw his glove in the air and was mobbed by his teammates as top-seeded Babylon had just notched a 4-0 win over No. 2 Pierson to claim its third straight Suffolk Class B baseball championship in Selden on Wednesday.
Ostertag struck out seven and allowed five hits and three walks in a complete game shutout.
“My arm felt great. The adrenaline was pumping. I was basically blacking out out there,” Ostertag said. “I was like, ‘Let’s go. Let’s get these outs and get this win.’”
Babylon will face Carle Place in the Long Island championship game/Southeast regional final at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at Farmingdale State.
Gavin McDonnell pitched a complete game one-hit shutout in the Panthers’ 6-0 win in Game 1 of the best-of-three series on Monday. McDonnell and Ostertag have both stepped up this season with Aidan Kistner and James Rugolo – two of Babylon’s top pitchers – recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“Those are two college-projected pitchers,” coach Michael Birnbaum said. “We’re a small school, so you take away two kids and it can become tough, but it’s a testament to their hard work and kids just stepping up. This is a great bunch of young men.”
Babylon took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when John Harkins scored on a sacrifice fly to shallow center by Ostertag.
In the third, Joe Cavallo hit a two-run blast to right field in a 1-2 count to give Babylon a 3-0 lead.
“I just knew I had to come with a two-strike approach and he threw me a changeup that was middle-middle, so I just decided to put it over,” Cavallo said. “We were only up 1-0, so breaking it open a little bit really felt great.”
Ostertag was the first person out of the dugout to congratulate Cavallo.
“I was jumping for joy for that one,” Ostertag said.
Braeden Mott struck out five and allowed three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings for Pierson (10-12). He went 1-for-1 with two walks.
Babylon (19-3) will ride a 12-game winning streak into the Long Island Championship.
“Babylon is a small town, it’s very sports oriented,” Birnbaum said. “We have a lot of community support and the kids play for the name on the front of their jerseys.”
Recommended Articles
How Babylon baseball became hottest team in New York
Senior Gavin McDonnell, sophomore Jake Ostertag and junior Owen Killeen formed an ultra-reliable staff that navigated Ba...
Babylon, behind by four, rallies in state semifinal - Newsday

Sophomores John Stricoff, Jake Ostertag put last touches on comeback.
Diamond Stars: Top performances in Long Island baseball and softball - Newsday
These are outstanding accomplishments of the high school fields of Nassau, Suffolk and the CHSAA.
BBNaija Season 10 kicks off on July 26 with mouth-watering N150m grand prize, fans react

MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that the official kick-off date for the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show seaso...
"Mohbad's wife Wunmi is being victimised": Nigerian lawyer involved in late singer's case spills

A lawyer’s comments on the investigation into Mohbad’s death, claiming victimisation of his wife Wunmi, spark backlash o...
You may also like...
Diddy's Legal Troubles & Racketeering Trial

Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges but convicted on transportation...
Thomas Partey Faces Rape & Sexual Assault Charges

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been formally charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault by UK ...
Nigeria Universities Changes Admission Policies

JAMB has clarified its admission policies, rectifying a student's status, reiterating the necessity of its Central Admis...
Ghana's Economic Reforms & Gold Sector Initiatives

Ghana is undertaking a comprehensive economic overhaul with President John Dramani Mahama's 24-Hour Economy and Accelera...
WAFCON 2024 African Women's Football Tournament

The 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations opened with thrilling matches, seeing Nigeria's Super Falcons secure a dominant 3...
Emergence & Dynamics of Nigeria's ADC Coalition

A new opposition coalition, led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is emerging to challenge President Bola Ahmed ...
Demise of Olubadan of Ibadanland

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, has died at 90, concluding a life of distinguished service in t...
Death of Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai

Nigerian football mourns the death of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who passed away at 61. Known as 'Do...