Dancing with the pessimists
Hard work pays off. That was the motto for the 2008 the Manhattan Academy of Technology boys baseball team all year, and in the end, it proved to be true. Playing in the first ever Pinnacle/Department of Education championship middle school baseball league, the M.A.T. Dragons proved to be too much for any of the other 11 schools around the city.
The Chinatown school beat Hunter Middle School 9-1 last Thursday to take the title.
“Our kids put in the effort, they put in the work and they proved that along with putting in the time comes big results,” a proud Coach John DeMatteo said on Friday. “Our players showed up every single morning at 7 to practice their hitting. I hope this is a lesson that carries over into other aspects of their life.”
Along with assistant coach Robert Mehan and supported by Al Guerrero and Jon Molinelli, the boys had remained undefeated going into the playoffs and had a huge support group of fans, teachers, administrators following their every move. The team developed into a strong community of friends who supported each other’s every move and always remained positive whether the team was winning or losing.
“The office staff would ask me every morning how the boys did,” DeMatteo said. “At every game we had huge cheering sections of people from the community, parents and members of the M.A.T. student body. Baseball is such a bonding sport that you can literally see the friendships grow as the season goes on.”
Led once again by the powerhouse arm of starting pitcher Emmanuel Mendoza, the Dragons put up some huge numbers. Mendoza was 7 – 0 as a pitcher, putting up an E.R.A. of less than 1.0 and struck out most of the batters he faced. He also batted an amazing .817 on the year and had 18 stolen bases, 30 R.B.I. and 5 home runs and was voted by the other coaches as the league’s most outstanding player. Eighth grader Jose Fernandez had a 6 – 0 record as a pitcher, including a tremendous effort in the semi finals. He also batted .776, hit 7 home runs, had 28 R.B.I and was stellar all year in the field at shortstop.
“Jose and Manny played on the team for the last three years, so I knew they would have great seasons,” DeMatteo said. “I just didn’t know that they would put up numbers that were that incredible. It was shocking when I read the stat sheet. Manny led by example and Jose was very much a vocal leader on and off the field. They will be missed not only for their talent, but for the role models they were.”
Another player who coach DeMatteo cited as having a huge impact but did not play last year was catcher Josh Lawrence. He led the team in batting average at .820. He made amazing plays at catcher saving lots of runs, threw out about half of the runners that tried to steal against him and drove in so many clutch runs.
“Josh was the difference this year, plain and simple,” DeMatteo said. “He did it all. Hit, run, catch, throw kids out, and he supported everyone in the dugout all year. I couldn’t replace that kid in a hundred years.”
Also having outstanding seasons were first baseman Roderick Silva (batting .600 with strong play in the field), right fielder Michael Natenzon (.360 and five home runs, including three in one game), second baseman Daniel Sexton, third baseman John Zito, centerfielder Terrell Shuler, pitcher and infielders Lucas Zenna and Westin Loving, outfielder Chris Brandt, infielder Raymond Rodriguez, catcher Reed Bakirjty, LaRon Holt, Bruce French, Shaheem Herring and Brandon Burgos.
