Somers’ Zlotnick untouchable, Tuskers three-peat
June 5th, 2009 by Rob DiAntonio
Last season Somers’ Dan Zlotnick threw a three-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over Pelham in the Section 1 Class A title game, giving the Tuskers their second consecutive sectional title.
One year later he would further cement his legend.
The Tusker senior ace tossed a no-hitter, striking out 11 in a 3-0 victory over No. 1-seeded Lakeland in the Class A championship game, giving the No. 2-seeded Tuskers their third straight sectional title.
“It’s just unbelievable to win the section three times in a row,” said Zlotnick, who received MVP honors for the second straight year. “We just pulled it all together. We know how to win.”
In the biggest of games, the Marist-bound Zlotnick thrives. He didn’t allow one ball to leave the infield and only needed 86 pitches to finish off the Hornets.
After just tossing an 88-pitch complete-game shutout Monday in the quarterfinal win over Eastchester, the Tuskers were uncertain how much Zlotnick would be able to pitch in the championship game on two days rest.
But when Head Coach Joe Wootten told Zlotnick he was going to start, Zlotnick’s face lit up. He was ready to go.
“It’s the rare player who you have, who steps up in the pressure situations,” Wootten said. “We happen to have him on our team. He’s just an unbelievable, talented ballplayer.”
Lakeland Head Coach Dennis Robinson was impressed by Zlotnick, citing that his pitching pattern threw them off at the plate.
“He was legit,” said Robinson, who said Zlotnick was throwing 3-1 changeups and cutters. “That’s the best we’ve seen.”
Senior Zack Bird came through with the big hit, a three-RBI double with two outs and a 1-2 count in the top of the fifth inning. None other than Zlotnick (2 for 4, one run scored) got the inning started with a single to move senior Rob Raniolo to third with one out.
The Tuskers (18-4) receive a bye into the state regional finals and will play the winner of Section 4’s Maine Endwell and Section 9 (Red Hook or Cornwall) Tuesday at a site to be determined (either at Section 4 or 9).
I’ll have more later, including photos. Look for a photo slideshow on the game soon at ncnlocal.com
Posted in Baseball |