Story and video: PMHS baseball walks it off in thrilling extra-innings upset over Rye

By Charles Parent, Assistant Managing Editor|May 12, 2022

On the final day of the regular season, PMHS baseball had their backs against the wall. A loss against 17-2 Rye, the No. 2 team in in the section, would mean uncertainty in terms of playoff hopes if other games didn’t go the Pelicans’ way. However, the boys didn’t put this one in the hands of out-of-town results.

Junior Alex Esterverena started on the mound for Pelham and was near flawless. After giving up two runs in the first inning, Esterverena kept the Rye bats at bay, allowing just five hits and striking out seven. Going into his seventh and final inning, the junior shutdown Rye and let the Pelham offense go to work trailing 2-1. In this, Esterverena helped his own cause, driving in the tying run on a fielder’s choice and sending the game to extra innings.

Over the next two innings, sophomore pitcher Henry Kagan kept Rye off the board, while Rye’s relievers were able to do the same, leaving the game at 2-2.

Senior Michael Romano took the hill for PMHS in the 10th inning. He struck out two and didn’t allow a hit.

In the bottom of the 10th, senior Frankie Cipriano laced the ball to right field, driving in Esterverena. Massive upset to Pelham.

The Pelicans improved to 8-10-2 on the season and will have the 17th seed in the Section 1, Class A postseason sectional tournament. They will play 16th-seeded Yonkers on Saturday, with No. 1-ranked Walter Panas waiting on the horizon.