The FIRE Team and Coach Flynn and Coach Kiley just before the FIRE take the field. The U-9 FIRE baseball team got back in the swing of things with an Opening Day double-header against the Roslyn Rangers at Garden City Pool. The FIRE played a strong first game, but Roslyn rallied late and claimed a 9-7 victory. However the FIRE showed their grit and came right back in game #2 and enjoyed a thrilling 14-12 win.

The team stayed hot this past Sunday as they traveled to Bronx to square off against the Yorkville Eagles. Game #1 featured a 16-10 slugfest win and the FIRE carried the momentum into game #2 and dominated from start to finish for a 12-2 win and improved their season record to 3-1.

During the first four games the FIRE players demonstrated strong pitching, solid hitting and some flashy fielding. Highlights from these games included, Jack Kenny throwing four top quality innings in the season opener and quality catching this past week, Pat Iorio striking out the side and making all the tough plays at first, Kyle Ober's multiple hits with runners in scoring position and getting the seasons first save with the tying runs on base. Additional highlights included Kenny McCadden's pitching and an amazing full extension catch at third base while the sweet sound of the ball hitting the bat was heard all day when Rich Marooney stepped to the plate and hit bomb after bomb. John Schlatter crushed a bass clearing double in week one followed by triple in week #2 and was the winning pitcher this past week , Cole Flynn had several key RBI's, multiple hits plus was solid behind the plate. Christopher Kiley's came thru with multiple hits both weeks, a clutch double and produced 6 RBI's in all. Quinn Walsh contributed clutch hits and some very key insurance RBI's while handling the hot corner at third base.

Andrew Nagel delivers a STRIKE Andrew Nagel's arm kept the Rangers base stealing at bay in week #1 and then pitched the FIRE to victory in week #2; and his bunt single started the first rally in game #2 this past week. John Griffith had several solid fielding plays in week #1, some clutch at bats and then threw 3 flawless innings to close out the win this past Sunday. Dan Salsberg came back off the DL in week one and immediately crushed back to back doubles and stole multiple bases. Tom Gillespie was on the DL for the first 2 weeks but the FIRE welcome him back this coming week.

Kyle Ober connects on another hit All the players are off to a hot start and the entire team received helmet stars for their solid team effort. Over the course of the first four games, game balls were awarded to Christopher Kiley, Jack Kenny, Rich Marooney, Cole Flynn, John Schlatter and Dan Salsberg. The players, parents and coaches are looking forward

Quinn Walsh set to crush another pitch Dan Salsberg connects on a double into the gap John Schlatter strikes out another batter Christopher Kiley at the plate ready to deliver another hit