Hudacko’s Pharmacy won the opening game of the Bayonne Little League Major League Championship Series by defeating Houlihan’s 10-9 at Volunteer Stadium. Houlihan’s jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Nick Malloy lead off the game with a single, then scored on a triple by Christian Hampton, Joe Ashe drew a base on balls, then Hampton scored when Joshua Gutterman singled, Joe Cifarelli walked to load the bases, then Mike Wermann walked to force in Ashe; Hudacko’s closed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the first when Logan Chi lead the inning off with a single, Jake Sullivan walked then they both advanced to second and third, and they both evenually scored Mikey Boehm and Steven Kass both grounded out to the second baseman Zaki Johnson. Houlihan’s increased their lead to 7-2 in the second inning. Malloy started off the inning while getting hit with a pitch, then Hampton and Ashe both walked to load the bases, Gutterman singled to drive in Malloy and Hampton, Jacob Quinones walked to load the bases, Wermann got hit by a pitch to force in Ashe, then Johnson grounded out to shortstop to drive in Gutterman to give Houlihan’s a 7-2 lead. Hudacko’s made the game 7-3 in the bottom of the second when Ryan Aidukas singled, stole second and scored on an overthrow by the catcher. Hudacko’s closed the gap to 7-5 in the third inning. Derek Lorfink lead off the inning with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on Sullivan’s base hit, then Sullivan scored on Boehm’s double. Hudacko’s scored 5 runs in the fourth to take a 10-7 lead. Nick Ponczek lead off the inning with a walk, Aidukas got his second base hit of the game, Ponczek and Aidukas stole second and third, then they both scored on a catcher’s overthrow to tie the game; Garrick Dugan and Nate Enamorado walked and they both scored on Chi’s single to give Hudacko’s their first lead of the game, then they increased their lead to 10-7, when Chi scored on Boehm’s double. Houlihan’s closed the gap to 10-9 when Malloy got hit by a pitch, and scored on Hampton’s double, then Gutterman doubled to drive in Hampton. Chi and Kass divided the pitching duties giving up 6 hits and striking out 12. Kass had to come out of the game because of the pitch count rule, and then Ponczek came in to strike out the side to preserve the victory for Hudacko’s.
In the consolation series opener Unico defeated Perrucci 11-10. Tyler Essex, Justin Arbelo, and Josh Davis had hits for Unico; while Ryan Nolan, Anthony Weiimer, Jack Regino, Jack Kruchkowski, Gabriel Becker, and Joe Farley all had hits for Perrucci.
