B.B. Trojans baseball finally snaps 7-game losing streak

April 24, 2024 at 10:49 p.m.

The 2024 Blind Brook varsity baseball team. Standing, from left: Coach Adam Massi, Nicholas Violino, Elliot Zwicker, Robbie Cuesta, Asher Toll, Andrew Rogovic, Zac Rosenblatt, Zachary Schneider, Jake Radwaner, Jake Messafi, Christopher Davis, assistant coach Robert Kiernan, assistant coach Jim Massi. Kneeling, from left: Jack Pastor, Bennett Cuesta, Julian Sauer, Daniel Glantz, Luke Scinto, Alex Schneider, Matthew Ebenstein, Charlie Zelman, Alejandro Pena, Devin Goldberg. (Courtesy photo of Blind Brook School District)

The Blind Brook Trojans had lost five straight games going into a 2-game series with Valhalla.

The pithing has been awful, and the Trojans’ bats have not been able to make up for it. Additionally, the Trojans’ star pitchers being unable to pitch as of recent games has been a huge factor in the inability to win games. Sophomore Asher Toll has been out with back issues, and star senior ace Andrew Rogovic has been dealing with blisters.

Losing to Albertus Magnus, Bronxville and Briarcliff twice in the previous week was detrimental to the standings, and the Trojans knew if they wanted to make a playoff push, they would have to start winning immediately. They sat in 12th place in the class B standings, with a 1-5 record going into the first Valhalla game.

The Trojans traveled to Kensico Field in Valhalla on Wednesday, Apr. 17. Blind Brook felt confident in this game, having Rogovic on the bump for the first time since Apr. 1. Rogovic had a strong start, taking the Trojans through 2.2 innings, allowing only one hit with seven strikeouts and no earned runs. However, he was then pulled from the game, again with the blister issue on his throwing hand. The Trojans turned to Robbie Cuesta to pick up where Rogovic left off, and two innings later Valhalla had put four on the board. Sophomore Asher Toll, who usually starts, is looking to slowly make his way back to the mound and came in to relieve Cuesta. Toll pitched 2.0 innings, letting up one earned run. The Trojans then turned to Zach Schneider, who let up only one run.

The Trojans had possibly the best hitting performance since their first game of the season, which was a win at North Salem. Rogovic and Jack Pastor both went two for five from the plate, Toll going two for four, while Nick Violino and Schneider picked up hits as well. This was not enough to take down Valhalla, and the Trojans fell for their sixth straight loss, making their record 1-6.

Blind Brook searched for revenge when hosting Valhalla two days later on Friday, Apr. 19. It was Robbie Cuesta who took the mound again, followed by Schneider. Between the two, there were six earned runs allowed, however five more were scored due to errors. The Trojans had now let up six runs due to errors in the past two games. The hitting was not much better, as Jake Messafi and Violino were the only ones who recorded hits. Blind Brook got swept in the 2-game set by Valhalla, allowing the Vikings to score 17 runs in two games. Their losing streak increased to seven straight games, and their only win of the season was the first game.

The Trojans quickly turned the page in preparation for Haldane the following day, at home at 11 a.m. Schneider was again starting on the mound, and he came through when the Trojans needed him most. He took Blind Brook through six innings, only allowing two runs and recording nine strikeouts. The Trojans’ discipline was great, and they were able to get on base easily.

Toll got on in the bottom of the fourth inning, stole second base and made it home for a score after Robbie Cuesta laid down a nice bunt to advance him. An error later and it was Cuesta at second base, who stole third and was knocked home by Messafi, picking up an RBI. Violino was able to get another RBI bunt to score Daniel Glantz. Toll came in to relieve Schneider and close out the game. Efficient pitching and three straight groundouts later, the Trojans finally picked up their first win in seven games. A frustrating stretch for Blind Brook ended and it was Schneider who got it done to finally put the Trojans back in the win column.

Although this win lifted a huge weight off the shoulders of the Trojans, they still have work to do quickly to get a spot in the playoffs. They host Rye Neck after press time on Wednesday, Apr. 24, travel to Rye Neck the next day, and on Saturday, Apr. 27 they are playing in the Port Chester tournament, with three games starting at 10 a.m. and featuring senior day. A tough but manageable schedule down the line leaves the door open for the Trojans to clinch a playoff spot as the season will begin to wind down.