Squaring off against a young, talented Ossining team on March 29, Mamaroneck’s baseball team picked up its season win of the young season, topping the Pride 3-0 behind a stellar pitching performance and some timely hitting.
Taking the mound for his first start of the 2023 season, Connor Jones turned in a gem, tossing a complete-game shutout and compiling 11 strikeouts while walking one batter and allowing just one hit on the afternoon.
Jones said he knew his command was on point from the first pitch of the game as he used his location and change of speeds to keep the Pride hitters off balance all day.
“I was felt good from the start and I could tell that this umpire had a bit of a bigger one today,” said Jones. “They helped me out a little by chasing a few pitches out of the zone so I knew I’d have to take advantage.”
Offensively, the Tigers had their hands full with freshman Owen Brennen who shined in his varsity debut, as they managed to scratch out just four hits against the youngster, who allowed just one earned run in six innings of work. Senior third baseman Jason Cox recorded two hits–including the first of his varsity career—while Luke Reagins also hit safely for the first time as a varsity athlete.
Eli Tannenbaum and JJ Grimes knocked in runs for the Tigers.
“We weren’t great, [Brennen] did a nice job and we were getting jammed,” said Mamaroneck coach Mike Chiapparelli. “But we put the ball in play and were able to get a few runs across.”
Chiapparelli has high hopes for the Tigers this year, as his squad comes into the season with a ton of athleticism and pitching depth. Behind Jones and junior ace Cooper Berenblatt—who picked up the win in Mamaroneck’s season opener against Mahopac—Mamaroneck has no shortage of arms and a hungry crop of players looking to write a new chapter in the program’s storied history.
But in order to do so, said Jones, the team will need to show up each game ready to take care of business.
“We have to get into games early like it’s a championship game,” said Jones. “We can’t take anyone lightly.”
Mamaroneck spent this week in Florida, playing against top-flight out-of-state competition. Their next test against a Section 1 opponent will be on April 10 when they host RC Ketcham.
Contact: sports@hometwn.com
