SLA Win Both vs Masterman; Lock Up Top 5 Finish to Host GAMP in Playoffs

Prior to 1st Pitch on Fri, May 11th, SLA Baseball retired #16 in honor of founding player and coach Brandon Williams, who tragically passed away just before the season started. Former Team Manager Longnu “Lulu” Nhan wore B’s jersey and stood with Brandon’s father during the ceremony. Fellow alumni Chris Cassise, Jeff Schwartz and Isaac Adlowitz came back to celebrate his life and team legacy, while the program also honored graduating Seniors- Ijustice Avery, Tony Brown, Alex Gomez and Trey Matthews- in the pre-game ceremony. 

Then the Rocket bats kicked into high gear. Unanimous All-Public 1st teamer Ijustice Avery missed a bonafide Grand Slam by a hair in an 8-Run 2nd inning that saw 12 Rockets come to bat. That was plenty to back Sophomore David Hammond who allowed just 2 unearned runs on 3 hits over 4 innings. Avery’s 3-RBI triple added to offense by the Cantors (Jakob and Avi) both going 3 for 3 on the day with RBI Doubles and multiple Runs Scored. Avi, also named All-Public 2nd Team, reached base safely in all 4 plate appearances. Freshmen Vince Cammisa (2-3) and Cam Simm (RBI Triple) matched hot hitting Senior Alex Gomez (2-3) and Senior Tony Brown (RBI Double) to round out a dominant 12-2 win. 

Then the rain came…for an entire week.

Ten days later the teams reconvened in Fairmount Park to complete the series and regular season. In Game 2 the Rockets pitching was solid as Vince Cammisa, Avi Cantor and David Hammond “No-Hit” Masterman into the 6th. After a sluggish start the bats roared back scoring 7 Runs in the middle frames, powered by Cam Simm’s 2-RBI Double in the 4th and Leo Cassel-Siskind’s RBI Double in the 6th. When the dust settled on a 7-2 combined 2-Hit win, the Rockets locked up the 5th Seed in the Public League Playoffs, which saw feverish action in the early rounds.  

Next Up: The #5 Rockets host GAMP in the Sweet 16 Round on Wed, 5/23 at Mt Airy Park (7001 Germantown Ave, 1st Pitch 315pm).

Come out and support your Rockets as they make another bid for a City Title.