PSAL PLAYOFFS: Columbus 8 – L.I. City 5
Johnny Monell played in the minor leagues in the 1980s, getting all the way to Triple-A with the Mets before finally ending his career.
His son – also named Johnny – has similar dreams and, thanks to a strong arm behind the plate and quite a bit of offensive power, the Columbus junior has a chance.
And while Monell displayed all of his talent in the Explorers’ 8-5 win over No. 22 Long Island City in yesterday’s first round PSAL playoff victory, 11th-seeded Columbus needed a great effort from pitcher Julio Maldonado to advance. They will play No. 6 Madison today after the Knights knocked off No. 27 Newtown, 5-1.
“I can hit all I want, but I know it doesn’t mean much if we don’t get any pitching,” said Monell, who went 2-for-3, including a towering home run in the first inning that tied the game at 2-2. “Julio saved us today.”
Columbus head coach Pete Nizarri wanted to save his ace, Maldonado, for today’s game, but starter Juan Pinero surrendered four runs before the second inning was over to force Maldonado’s entrance.
“I had to go with my best,” Nizarri said. “He came through.”
Maldonado didn’t complain.
“I’m always eager to pitch,” Maldonado said. “I’m still ready to go.”
He insisted he was ready to pitch today, despite tossing 5 1/3 innings in the win. He gave up just three hits and struck out seven in relief.
“We’re not done yet,” Maldonado said. “We can get all the way to Shea.”
If the Explorers are to get to the title game, they will need more performances like the one they got from Maldonado yesterday and they will also need Monell to continue hitting like a player who could be drafted next year.
“My father works with me every winter,” Monell said. “He teaches me the fundamentals that he learned as a pro that not many other people know, so that gives me an advantage.”
It paid off yesterday, as Monell helped prevent the tying run from scoring in the fourth. Right fielder David Robinson tried to prevent a runner scoring from second on a single and Monell blocked the plate perfectly and secured Robinson’s bouncing throw.
“He does so much for us behind the plate,” Maldonado said. “He knows the game and his position so well that it makes everything easier.”
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The second round will be today with top-seeded Monroe hosting No. 17 Walton; No. 5 Telecom will play No. 12 Stuyvesant; No. 20 Port Richmond upset No. 13 Cardozo and will visit No. 4 Lehman. No. 7 Grand Street hosts No. 10 Wagner and No. 15 JFK visits No. 2 George Washington.