Lehman High School Tyler Guzman went the route and made the costly error that gave Tottenville another PSAL championship (PHOTO: TAYLOR HALLMAN)

New York - Almost an hour after this classic PSAL championship game was over Friday evening there were no words to describe what may have been the best PSAL A division title game. It was that good, a 10-inning pitching and defensive gem played by the kids from Tottenville High School of Staten Island and Lehman High of the Bronx at MCU Park in Brooklyn.

In the end a throwing error by Lehman starting pitcher Tyler Guzman was the difference giving Tottenville a 1-0 walk-off win, their first PSAL title since 2007 and 11th overall.  Lehman coach Adam Droz consoled his pitcher after the deciding play.

And in the MCU parking lot area, as he greeted family and friends, Droz would see some of the champion Pirates, “Great game guys,” he said. Congratulations were in order, also for his Lions. One mistake by Tottenville and it could have been a victory ride to the Bronx for Droz and his Lions.

“It was a little wet,” said Guzman about the ball he could not handle. It was a perfect baseball bunt in front of the plate from Joe Sessa. The lone and deciding run scored by George Kantzian who was mobbed by teammates after leading off the inning with a double that was misplayed in center.

“No excuse though, I thought it was going to be a routine play,” said the Lehman senior who gave up three hits and struck out three. “We believed we had the best team in the league and we showed it,” said Guzman

But the play was not going to be routine. It was this type of game that had a feel for the dramatic, ending with an error or something else. Because the pitching was that good, both teams could not get the runner home, Guzman and Pirates starter John Silva pitching in and out of jams.

“Don’t know if there was ever a PSAL championship game played like this before,” said Droz moments after telling his kids to keep their heads up. “Everything that could happen in baseball happened in this game. I told Tyler keep your head up, you’re a champion too. I told them they are champions.”

Even a supposed balk by Guzman that put him and Lehman in a jam would not deter the Lions from seeking their first school championship. The Pirates left the bases loaded in the eighth because Lehman shortstop Jhosse Estrella made a big league play. He made the throw to first from his knees, after sliding to get the ball that Kevin Krause hit off the first pitch from Guzman.    

“He has been out leader since day one,” said Estrella about his pitcher. “He came out today and pitched his heart out. We have to know we have his back 100 percent. I never played in a game like this before,” he said.

These kids from Lehman may have that opportunity again. Baseball is that type of game where the unexpected happens and one play, like the one that determined this outcome, is bound to occur anytime. But all along the Lions believed in themselves as the number eight seed in the playoffs, eliminating perennial power and top seed Monroe in the quarterfinals, taking two out of three from a hot hitting Madison team in the semifinals.

“An eight seed doesn’t mean anything,” commented Droz as he took the slow and disappointing walk to the outside of MCU field. “We were going to win with him, we were going to lose with him,” he said about Guzman.  In other words, as Guzman would admit “I could have gone another five innings.”

Not taking anything away from Tottenville starter Jonathan Silva. He struck out eight, on two hits to a Lehman team that came into the game as the hottest hitting team in the playoffs. The Lions had their opportunities and Silva denied them more than once.

“We had them,” said Droz about opportunities to break the game open. Lehman had the confidence also against the Pirates. They defeated them earlier in April in the annual Monroe Holiday Tournament. But for this night, a long one for all, it was not to be for Lehman in their quest to get their first city championship.

They come back next season, without Guzman their ace. And without Lawrence Marsach, their hot hitter who had a silent bat at MCU Park but made the plays at first.  “Wish I could have this team every single year,” said Droz about his Lions.

They won’t all be together next season. High school baseball means the opportunity to learn, win and lose together, and then move on to bigger and better things.  And for this Lehman team, a memorable championship game that they will talk about in the years to come.

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Posted by WGR

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